Synthesis

I appreciate the mention of LSD, for the reason that in my research I've also noticed that the things I experience can be related to symptoms of LSD usage in many ways--I didn't explain everything I "see". However, I've never taken LSD, illegal drugs, or perscribed drugs that can result in this side-effect. So it does kind of baffle me at times. During my research for alternative expanations I've come up with some more information. It relates to the pineal gland being the main cause for the specific things I see, which are not limited to "after-images" (btw, Skye, thank for that link). I won't get into it here, though, but if anyone wants to comment on that, feel free.

Thank you. I did some quick research on the web about him and his book, and it looks like a valuable read regarding introductory Neuroscience. Even though I intended to find a direct answer regarding my above experience(s), I'm doing research about this on my own as well, so this seems helpful.

Interesting. Although I don't feel it explains my whole experience, it helps.

Sometimes I find myself having to blink frequently, but it may be due to how little I often sleep. Why do you ask?

That would make for an interesting experiment, thanks. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if it would explain much as the experiment is a biofeedback thing. One can effect the reading by inducing different emotional states in themselves. I don't know how relevant it is to my experience, which I'm still lost as to what it means, or the explanation. But thanks for the details, because I might just try it for fun if I can get my hands on one of those things.

What would constitute stimulation in this case (for my vision)? Also, I'm assuming 'biochemical feedback loop' refers to the mental process which explains why I'm seeing translucent, coloured silhouettes trail behind objects? What you mentioned is normal, true, but from what I can perceive it doesn't explain the trail behind objects and changing colours while in more relaxed states of mind; instead, just what you explained about seeing images from film/tv/etc. in one blending stream. I'm lookin for some kind of documentation that uses terms or ideas from neuroscience, rather than computer science and such (ex: "image retention") to explain the aformentioned occurance. I do appreciate the suggestions, though.

I'm aware. Though, the way I saw it isn't exactly common. I've asked around. I mean I saw two golf balls clearly, not a light haze or blur. Although you're correct, I also see the same trails while in well-lit rooms as long as the object moves in front of a reasonably dark background. Sometimes the colours are different, too, which is odd. When I'm in a very relaxed state, the colour of the image behind my hand sometimes appear violet. I tested it in front of my black cat while in a fully lit room in more occasions that one, and the colour was different. It even seemed to shimmer once. In another occasion, I saw a "field" extending a few mm from the outline of my fingers, without even moving my hands. It was violet as well. This happened when I was in a more relaxed state of mind.

That's true, I've considered it.

Is there a name for this? I can think up many metaphors, but I'm looking for documentation or terms from neuroscience or any of the sciences. Either way, is this common to see trails behind objects?

lol. Yeap, now do you want to explain what those mean specifically?

I'm curious as to how Neuroscience explains this one, or if my assumption is correct--being after-images. My eyes are very sensitive to light, and as such this seems to come with it's own odd characteristics. I see trails behind objects illuminated by even a faint light, while they're in front of a reasonably dark backdrop. For instance, right now, I can move my had in front of my black speakers, in this dimly lit room, and there is an in-tack silhouette of my hand that follows a few cm behind it which appears translucent and turquoise. Another example is when I've played glow-in-the-dark miniature golf. I'd see two golfballs instead of one when it moved. I think the actual golfball was neon yellow, but the image of it that followed a few inches behind was green in colour--there is more distance between the after-image and the object depending on the speed of the object. So basically, what's this called? Is there an actual term for seeing instant after-images with such sharpness and consistency? My theory is obviously just that, after-images. However, I am also uncertain whether this is due to my brain, or eyesight (physical eyes) alone.

I'm not sure if I explained the process correctly, though. I just know that I feel it in the top-back portion of the brain and running up and down the spine. Sometimes it feels as though I need to direct something (mentally) near my spine towards the brain in order for the reaction to happen. It's quite confusing, to be honest. I can recreate other sensations throughout my body in different ways (also induced mentally), but I'll just focus on this one for this post. Maybe I'll do some of my own research meanwhile. I just don't really know where to start is all.

I'm not well-informed on Neuroscience and wouldn't know where to start, so for any individual(s) that can address this question properly, I'd much appreciate it. Basically, this is something I can recreate at any time, and anywhere. I intensely focus my attention on the top-back portion of my brain, and then I feel something build up there, which suddenly in a burst sends tingles throughout my body, originating from that portion of the brain. I can even get my hairs to stand up on my skin in some occasions, so this is not all in my imagination--I literally feel certain parts of me vibrate within, which is stimulation of the nervous system, I believe. I also can control where the tingles occur in my body at times, too, and it feels like a rush of soft electric vibes moving throughout me when I do so. The primary path of vibrations is usually up and down my spine, though, at rapid rates. But if I do this a lot in one session, the intensity may become diminished over each proceeding trial. Can Neuroscience explain this? I mean, maybe there is something about that portion of the brain that I'm not aware of? I really couldn't say, so that's why I'm asking. Also, If I wasn't looking for a scientific answer, I wouldn't post it here. So please, no mocking.

Matt.

True enough, but still interesting if you consider how we're on the way to better understanding the animal cognitive process.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/3430481.stm Any thoughts? Apologies if this has been brought up already.

School before post-graduate education is primarily meant to condition the individual into society's standards of how they should behave and so forth. It is true that valuable information can be learned, but as you've recognized, the time-frame in which this is accomplished can be shortened and the system modified to accomidate faster learning for the regular person. So basically, school conditions us--and is designed to, as my teacher from Intro to APS (Anthropology, Psychology, Sociology) even verified--to become proper citizens. Nothing too surprising, but kind of interesting.

The statement of crop circles being a hoax has been brought up in this thread which I'll have to disagree with. True, there have been formations that've been created by individiuals, but honestly, if you compare them to the unclaimed formations, these individual-made ones look like crap. Unfortunately, there is a lack of evidence regarding alternate methods for the creation of the complex and enourmous formations that appear over night. As such, the entire argument leans in favour of crop circles being "man-made". However, getting to the next point--I don't think much else can be introduced about actual crop circle creation--the symbol/pattern which is the crop circle has been theorized to interact with our consciousness on some level. The actual meaning the individual crop circle conveys is subjective to the interpretations of the individual in regard to what it stimulates in them. In addition, claims of a "higher vibrational" energy emitting in proximity to the crop circle have been reported by people under 'paranormal experiences'. Though, to get into this entire topic in-depth would be entering the fields of transpersonal psychology, parapsychology and consciousness. I feel that I've strayed from the area of focus of most people enough already.