Hallucinations Explained: Different Forms, Triggers, and Key Signs
Hallucinations, false perceptions that occur without any external stimuli, can manifest in various forms and are often associated with a range of conditions and experiences. Here, we delve into the diverse world of hallucinations, their causes, and the impact they have on different aspects of health.
People with hearing or vision loss, migraine sufferers, those with seizure disorders, and individuals experiencing sleep disorders can all encounter hallucinations. For instance, individuals with schizophrenia may hear voices, a phenomenon primarily linked to impaired reality monitoring and neurobiological dysfunctions in brain networks related to language and cognition.
Individuals with schizophrenia often have difficulty distinguishing internally generated thoughts from external sounds, a failure in "source monitoring," which contributes to auditory verbal hallucinations (AVH). These hallucinations are associated with altered functional connectivity in brain networks, particularly the language network and frontoparietal network, which are implicated in processing speech and integrating sensory information.
Hallucinations in schizophrenia occur while awake, are persistent, and are often distressing and perceived as real. Unlike hallucinations in other conditions, such as narcolepsy, they are not typically associated with sleep.
Scientists are yet to fully understand why some people have hallucinations and what triggers them. However, research suggests that genetic and molecular factors, such as specific genes (e.g., GAL) and neurotransmitter systems, including mu-opioid receptors, play a role in these experiences.
Hallucinations can take various forms, including auditory, visual, olfactory, gustatory, tactile, somatic, and affecting the entire body. They can occur during changes in brain activity, such as falling asleep or waking up, and are not uncommon during sleep disorders.
In the context of dementia, hallucinations can occur during mid to late stages and may involve seeing people who have died or terrifying images that trigger feelings of paranoia and panic. Medication can help ease these symptoms.
Postpartum psychosis, a rare condition, can also cause hallucinations and may require prompt treatment to ensure the safety of the baby and the parent-child relationship.
Mice that took a hallucinogenic drug showed less activity in brain regions associated with managing incoming visual information. Drugs like LSD, salvia, DMT, and certain mushrooms can induce hallucinations. In some cases, hallucinations may not be related to an illness or drugs, but rather triggered by suggestive forces such as religious beliefs or heightened anxiety.
It is crucial to seek medical attention following any hallucination, especially if someone with an illness that may cause hallucinations experiences worsening hallucinations or other changes in mood or behaviour. Treating the underlying condition can often alleviate the hallucinations.
In summary, hallucinations are complex experiences that can be linked to a variety of factors, from brain changes and sensory processing regions to genetic and molecular factors. They serve as a reminder of the intricate workings of the human brain and the importance of seeking medical help when encountering unusual perceptions.
- Individuals dealing with bipolar disorder might encounter hallucinations as part of their depressive episodes, contributing to the difficulty in predicting and managing depression in science and health-and-wellness, particularly mental health.
- In addition to those with various disorders as mentioned earlier, people with bipolar disorder can also experience hallucinations, similar to schizophrenia in form and potential source monitoring issues, albeit due to different underlying neurobiological causes.
- Hallucinations, apart from being associated with specific conditions like schizophrenia and sleep disorders, can also be induced by certain drugs like LSD, salvia, and DMT, emphasizing the complex relationship between hallucinations, mental health, and various external factors.
