What is the Mind's Eye? The Science of Imagination, Aphantasia & Consciousness | Adam Zeman

Video Description

What does it really mean to see with the mind’s eye? In this conversation, neurologist and consciousness researcher Professor Adam Zeman (Cognitive & Behavioural Neurologist, University of Exeter) joins Dr Tevin Naidu on Mind-Body Solution to explore the mysterious link between imagination, memory, and perception - and what happens when the mind’s eye goes dark. Zeman coined the term aphantasia, the inability to form mental images, and has spent decades studying how imagination shapes our sense of self and consciousness. Together, we discuss: - The neuroscience of mental imagery and its vividness - What aphantasia and hyperphantasia reveal about the brain-mind interface - Imagination’s evolutionary and social roles - How disorders of imagery illuminate the nature of consciousness - Why defining "inner experience" remains one of science's deepest puzzles This episode is both scientific and philosophical: an inquiry into what it means to imagine, remember, and experience the unseen. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Introduction: Why imagination matters and the four big ideas 02:14 - What do we mean by “imagination”? Everyday vs scientific senses 05:46 - How imagination is implemented in the brain: top-down vs bottom-up processes 09:08 - The phenomenology of imagery: vividness, aphantasia, hyperphantasia 12:58 - Aphantasia explained: discovery, definition, and how common it is 16:50 - Measuring imagery: questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and limitations 20:30 - Dreams vs wakeful imagery: why people without imagery often still dream 24:12 - Aphantasia and memory: effects on autobiographical recall and learning 27:54 - Hyperphantasia and creativity: strengths, tradeoffs, and examples 31:28 - Clinical cases & the TIME project: epilepsy, transient amnesia, and memory links 34:50 - Accelerated long-term forgetting: what it reveals about memory consolidation 38:12 - Disorders of visual imagery: aphantasia, prosopagnosia, and related syndromes 41:55 - Therapeutic and performance uses of imagery: sports, music, psychotherapy 45:20 - Objective neural markers: fMRI, activation of visual cortices and network differences 48:56 - Assessing imagery in the clinic: best practices and pitfalls 52:30 - Imagination and consciousness: philosophical implications for “life in the mind” 55:50 - Language, sharing imagination, and why we evolved communicative imagination 59:38 - Dementia, PRESIDE and clinical relevance: early markers and research directions 01:03:50 - Future directions: AI, computational models, and bridging phenomenology + neuroscience 01:07:30 - Closing reflections: practical takeaways for researchers, clinicians, and curious minds EPISODE LINKS: - Adam's Website: - Adam's X: https://twitter.com/zemanlab - Adam's Publications: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7BSh2mQAAAAJ&hl=en - Adam's Books: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Adam-Zeman/author/B001H6UT84?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1760539071&sr=8-1&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true - Science of Imagination: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkYwKjkCJgE CONNECT: - Website: https://mindbodysolution.org - YouTube: https://youtube.com/@MindBodySolution - Podcast: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/mindbodysolution - Twitter: https://twitter.com/drtevinnaidu - Facebook: https://facebook.com/drtevinnaidu - Instagram: https://instagram.com/drtevinnaidu - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/drtevinnaidu - Website: https://tevinnaidu.com ============================= Disclaimer: The information provided on this channel is for educational purposes only. The content is shared in the spirit of open discourse and does not constitute, nor does it substitute, professional or medical advice. We do not accept any liability for any loss or damage incurred from you acting or not acting as a result of listening/watching any of our contents. You acknowledge that you use the information provided at your own risk. Listeners/viewers are advised to conduct their own research and consult with their own experts in the respective fields. #AdamZeman #Imagination #Aphantasia #Consciousness