Hallucinations and Altered States
Hallucinations—vivid sensory experiences that occur without external stimuli—can arise from the use of substances, mental health conditions, or neurological disorders. Unlike dreams, hallucinations often intrude upon waking consciousness and can feel completely real to those experiencing them. These altered states challenge our definitions of reality, as the brain crafts convincing scenarios that others do not perceive. Comparing hallucinations to shared perceptions exposes how much our sense of reality depends on consensus and functioning sensory systems. They remind us that reality, as we know it, can be fragile and profoundly shaped by the mind.