External hallucination: Difference between revisions

'''External hallucinations''' can be described as the experience of perception of external visual information which displays itself seamlessly into the external environment as if they were actually happening. This is in stark contrast to [[internal hallucinations]], such as [[dreams]], that occur exclusively within an imagined environment and can typically only be viewed with closed eyes.

This effect is capable of manifesting itself across the 4 different levels of intensity described below:

#'''Erratic hallucinations''' - At the lowest level external hallucinations generally consist of movement within the peripheral vision and ill-defined, fleeting hallucinations which disappear once a person double takes.

#'''Vaguely defined hallucinations''' - At this level, the hallucinations are visible within one's direct line of sight, but are not fully defined in their appearance. This means that, although visible, they do not look completely detailed and are often extremely blurry or semi-translucent with little, if any, colour.

#'''Partially defined hallucinations''' - At this level, the hallucinations become distinct enough in their detail and vividness to extend beyond transparent, colorless, or blurry manifestations. However, they still remain unconvincing and do not quite live up to the detail of every day life.

#'''Fully defined hallucinations''' - At this level, the hallucinations have become completely realistic and will rarely disappear simply because a person double takes. They are now capable of a completely convincing and photorealistic appearance and their behaviour becomes far more like. Additionally, they may become numerous enough to fully engulf the environment.

It is worth noting that there are certain factors that directly alter both the likelihood of external hallucinations manifesting themselves and the level of detail of which they are rendered with. For example, the more unfamiliar with the external environment one is, the more likely it is that this effect will manifest itself. Cluttered areas tend to produce more external hallucinations and the amount of light within a room is inversely proportional to the intensity of them, with less light leading to significantly more hallucinations and more light leading to fewer, although more detailed, hallucinations.</onlyinclude>

The content within these external hallucinations can be further broken down into four distinct subcomponents. These are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below:

*'''Lucid vs. Delirious''' - A person experiencing a hallucinatory state can maintain a consistent level of awareness regarding the fact that none of these events are actually occurring and that the effects are simply the result of a drug-induced hallucination. In contrast with this, hallucinations may also become completely believable, no matter how nonsensical they may be, in exactly the same way that a person does not have any problem accepting absurd and non-linear plots within our dreams.

*'''Interactive vs. Fixed''' – Hallucinatory states can either present themselves as completely separate in a manner that is similar to watching a video play out in front of one's field of vision or they can be completely interactive. For example, it is entirely possible to converse with autonomous entities or interact with imagined objects in a fashion similar to lucid dreaming.

*'''New vs. Old experiences ''' – In terms of their subject matter, hallucinations can either be entirely new experiences or they can be old, everyday experiences and replayed memories.

*'''Controllable vs. Autonomous''' – Imagery and hallucinations can be partially to completely controllable. This can be described as their content always seeming to perfectly follow and fit the general topic and subject matter of one's current thought stream, with varying levels of control. In contrast, autonomous hallucinations are completely spontaneous in their subject matter and entirely uncontrollable.

*'''Geometry-based vs. Solid''' – Hallucinations can be comprised of condensed psychedelic geometry or they can appear to be made from realistic materials depending on the substance consumed.