Form constant

Form Constant

A Form Constant is a term used in the field of psychology and neuroscience to describe the geometric patterns that are seen during hallucinations or altered states of consciousness. These patterns are often reported by individuals who have taken psychedelic drugs, experienced migraines, or are in the midst of a near-death experience.

History

The concept of form constants was first introduced by the German psychologist Heinrich Klüver in the 1920s. Klüver was studying the effects of the drug mescaline on the visual system and noticed that many of his subjects reported seeing similar geometric patterns. He categorized these patterns into four types: lattices, cobwebs, tunnels, and spirals.

Explanation

The exact cause of form constants is not fully understood, but several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests that they are the result of the brain's neural network trying to make sense of chaotic visual input. Another theory posits that they are caused by the activation of certain neurons in the visual cortex.

Research

Research into form constants has provided valuable insights into the workings of the human brain. For example, studies have shown that the patterns seen during hallucinations are remarkably similar to the patterns that the brain generates when it is processing visual information. This has led some researchers to suggest that hallucinations are not just random images, but are in fact the brain's attempt to interpret the world around it.

See also

• Hallucination
• Visual perception
• Altered states of consciousness
• Psychedelic drug