• I took the VVIQ today via The Aphantasia Network. I scored 16, which is the lowest possible score.
  • Iā€™m just finishing an 84-hour fast. As Iā€™ve experienced before, I experienced this morning: sensory thought and access to autobiographical & episodic memory comes much more easily. One of the key learnings during this long (for me currently) fast is that I needed to take more sodiumā€¦the electrolytes supplement (Trace, 40k volts) doesnā€™t provide nearly enough.
  • Autogogic phosphene appearance after rubbing my eyes during this fast seemed more intense and colorful (I was experimenting with that this morning in bed). I remember staring for at least 30 seconds (a long time in regard to autogogic shapes) and seeing various light patterns including a circle outline that then formed a half-circle, like the letter ā€œUā€. Note to self, phosphenes occur because neurons in the retina fire even when they receive little to no light. They respond to pressure as wellā€¦

So, it was admittedly a bit discouraging to take the VVIQ score. Just reality sinking in. I can now think of objects non-verbally using sensory thought, and this does grant me much more access than ever before to my pastā€¦and allows me to imagine so many thingsā€¦but there are no visuals. There is a ā€œknowingā€ and remembering of sensory details, but nothing like Iā€™ve heard others (including my 10-year-old son) describe. Iā€™ve been pursuing learning about aphantasia since 2024, and only now (two years later) have I finally taken the VVIQ.

Iā€™m taking it because Iā€™m hoping for a change after this weekend. Though, I am remembering to not get my hopes up. It will be a healing and profound experience regardless.

So far, Iā€™ve gained access to sensory thought, which is new for me. Itā€™s huge in itself. But that is still a far cry away from having visual imagery. Smell, taste and sound imagery are similar. I may replay songs and talk in accents in my headā€¦but itā€™s still very very weak and is similar to my proto-visualization abilities. However these have enhanced ability to remember and to have a richer imagination.



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