Hallucinations from flickering lights: What happens in our brain?

A recent study from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience has revealed how flickering lights can induce hallucinations by creating "standing waves" of neural activity in the brain. Published in Current Biology, the research builds on historical observations that stroboscopic light can lead to vivid visual experiences. The study involved genetically modified mice exposed to flickering lights, allowing researchers to track brain activity through fluorescent markers. The findings demonstrated that stimulation of specific visual areas resulted in waves of neural activity that resembled standing waves, akin to ripples in a pond. As the frequency of the flickering light increased, the patterns in the visual cortex became more intricate, suggesting a potential mechanism for flicker-induced hallucinations. While the study could not confirm whether the mice experienced hallucinations, the evidence supports the hypothesis that standing waves in the visual cortex may be responsible for the phenomenon. This research provides a deeper understanding of how visual stimuli can affect brain activity and perception.

- Flickering lights can induce hallucinations by creating standing waves of neural activity.

- The study used genetically modified mice to track brain activity in response to flickering light.

- Higher frequencies of flickering light resulted in more complex patterns in the visual cortex.

- The research supports the idea that standing waves may explain flicker-induced hallucinations.

- The findings contribute to the understanding of how visual stimuli influence brain perception.