“Diversity makes the richness of humanity”: the emergence of mental imagery after self-reported psilocybin mushrooms intake in an autistic woman with “blind imagination” (aphantasia): a 1-year retrospective case report

A 34-year-old autistic woman with lifelong aphantasia—the inability to generate visual mental images—reported experiencing vivid, controllable mental imagery for the first time after consuming psilocybin mushrooms. The effect persisted beyond the drug's acute psychedelic phase. Retrospective scores on the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire showed a significant increase in imagery vividness after intake. The findings align with prior research on psilocybin's effects on brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, and visual processing. The case suggests that psilocybin may modulate mental imagery in aphantasia and raises questions about the classification and pathologization of aphantasia, emphasizing cognitive diversity.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This retrospective case report explores the impact of psilocybin mushroom intake on the emergence of mental imagery in an autistic woman with aphantasia. Aphantasia refers to the inability to generate visual mental images, which can significantly affect individuals' experiences and cognitive processes. The case study focuses on a 34-year-old autistic woman who had been living with aphantasia since childhood. After consuming psilocybin mushrooms, she reported experiencing vivid mental imagery for the first time, with the ability to manipulate and explore images in her mind. The effects persisted even after the psychedelic effects of psilocybin subsided. The woman's retrospective assessment using the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire revealed a significant increase in imagery vividness scores post-intake. The findings align with previous research on the effects of psilocybin on brain connectivity, neuroplasticity, and visual processing. The case report highlights the potential of psilocybin to modulate mental imagery in individuals with aphantasia and suggests avenues for further research. Moreover, it raises questions about the classification and pathologization of aphantasia, emphasizing the importance of recognizing cognitive diversity and promoting the well-being of individuals with different cognitive profiles, including aphantasia.