Perspective distortion

{{#ev:gfycat|https://zippy.gfycat.com/AdorableAggravatingGalago.webm%7C300x300%7Cright%7CSize distortions by Anonymous - This image serves as an accurate portrayal of the commonly experienced effect known as perspective distortions.|frame}} Perspective distortions can be described as subtle to drastic changes in the size and distance attributed either to a person’s body, to specific parts of the external environment or to the external environment as a whole.

When affecting distance, perspective distortions can make things seem as if they are physically closer or further away than they usually would be. For example, this can range from a subtle experience such as the other side of the room feeling marginally further away than it usually would be or it can be an extreme experience such as feeling as if the horizon is right in front of you. Perspective distortions are distinct from perspective alterations because alterations follow a more specific out of body-like experience, though both can manifest at the same time.

When affecting size, perspective distortions can make things seem as if they are physically smaller or larger in terms of the sense of size that one would usually attribute to them. For example, this can range from a subtle experience such as the the room feeling marginally smaller and more cramped than it usually would be or it can be an extreme experience such as feeling as if the room is hundreds of miles wide or even infinitely huge.

Alice in wonderland syndrome

Feelings of suddenly having an impossibly giant or tiny body are also a very common manifestation of this effect. This feeling is already known by the scientific literature as “Alice in Wonderland Syndrome” where it is seen as a temporary condition often associated with migraines, brain tumours and the use of psychoactive drugs. The effect can either be specifically attributed to the body as a whole or certain parts of it. For example, feelings of having a huge head or tiny limbs are entirely possible.

Psychoactive substances

Experience reports

Anecdotal reports which describe this effect within our experience index include:

Perspective distortion

Alice in wonderland syndrome

Psychoactive substances

Experience reports

See also