From Lee Haywood, Nottingham, UK
Andrew Dennant’s description of being jolted awake by images while falling asleep, despite his aphantasia, mirrors my own experience. During the transition to sleep, I once “saw” an incredible, perfectly symmetrical gem with fantastic colours. Even in that hypnagogic state, it felt genuinely present (Letters, 25 April).
Upon fully waking, I knew that such an object couldn’t exist in reality. My mind, I believe, hadn’t generated a true image, but had simply convinced itself that it was seeing, much as it does when my eyes are open. This leads me to a similar conclusion for my dreams: they contain no imagery, only the belief that I am seeing. I would be curious to know if others with aphantasia interpret these rare, vivid glimpses in the same way.
