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      After images

      After images (also known as palinopsia) are visual perceptions that continue to appear in one's vision after exposure to the original image has ceased. [1] [2] [3] A common form of after image is the bright glow that seems to float in one's vision after looking into a light source for a few seconds. This effect is similar to tracers but differs in that it does not create smooth blurs behind moving objects.

      During hallucinogenic experiences, moving objects can produce a trail of overlayed, still images behind their path of motion. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] This creates a series of overlayed images of a moving object across one's visual field that progressively fade away. Another common manifestation of this effect is being able to see a residual image of the external environment for several seconds after one closes their eyes before it gradually fades away.

      After images are often accompanied by other coinciding effects, such as tracers [5] [9] [10] and drifting. [4] They are most commonly induced under the influence of moderate dosages of psychedelic compounds, such as LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline. [11] However, trailing effects have also been experienced with other drugs of a very different pharmacology, such as GABA potentiators. [7]

      References

      1. Palinopsia | https://academic.oup.com/brain/article-abstract/91/2/321/265532?redirectedFrom=fulltext
      2. Kleinman, J. E., Gillin, J. C., & Wyatt, R. J. (1977). A comparison of the phenomenology of hallucinogens and schizophrenia from some autobiographical accounts. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 3(4), 562. | https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/schbul/3.4.560
      3. [1][2]         Abraham, H. D. (1983). Visual phenomenology of the LSD flashback. Arch Gen Psychiatry, 40(8), 886-887. | https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/493119
      4. [1][2]         Papoutsis, I., Nikolaou, P., Stefanidou, M., Spiliopoulou, C., & Athanaselis, S. (2015). 25B-NBOMe and its precursor 2C-B: modern trends and hidden dangers. Forensic Toxicology, 33(1), 1-11. | https://doi.org/10.1007/s11419-014-0242-9
      5. [1][2]         Abraham, H. D., & Wolf, E. (1988). Visual function in past users of LSD: Psychophysical findings. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 97(4), 443. | http://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/0021-843X.97.4.443
      6. Kawasaki, A., & Purvin, V. (1996). Persistent palinopsia following ingestion of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Archives of Ophthalmology, 114(1), 47-50. | https://doi.org/10.1001/archopht.1996.01100130045007
      7. [1][2]         Dubois, J., & VanRullen, R. (2011). Visual trails: do the doors of perception open periodically?. PLoS biology, 9(5), e1001056. | https://dx.doi.org/10.1371%2Fjournal.pbio.1001056
      8. Ermentrout B. The excited cortex - LSD trails, phosphenes, and other visual confections. 1999. 201 Eighth Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; July 1999. Abstracts. |
      9. Asher, H. (1971). Trailing” phenomenon–a long-lasting LSD side effect. Am J Psychiatry, 127(9), 1233-4. | https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.127.9.1233
      10. Schwartz, K. (1997). Nefazodone and visual side effects. The American journal of psychiatry, 154(7), 1038. | Schwartz, K. (1997). Nefazodone and visual side effects. The American journal of psychiatry, 154(7), 1038.
      11. Lauterbach, E., Abdelhamid, A., & Annandale, J. B. (2000). Posthallucinogen-like visual illusions (palinopsia) with risperidone in a patient without previous hallucinogen exposure: possible relation to serotonin 5HT2a receptor blockade. Pharmacopsychiatry, 33(01), 38-41 | https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2000-8452

      Tags

      distortion
      psychedelic
      sensory
      visual

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