Entoptic phenomena

Entoptic phenomena
   Entoptics (from the Greek, meaning “within vision”), also known as phosphenes, are complex and diverse luminous geometric images derived from the human central nervous system, produced specifically within the optic cortex and characteristic of certain altered states of consciousness, including shamanistic trances. Links between entoptics, altered consciousness, and shamanisms have been explored in a number of visual culture studies. Entoptics have been vociferously debated in rock art research in particular, due to their use in a neuropsychological model proposed by the Southern African rock art researchers David LewisWilliams and Thomas Dowson in order to establish the origins of some rock art imagery in altered-consciousness and related shamanistic practices.

Historical dictionary of shamanism. . 2007.

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  • Entoptic phenomena (archaeology) — For a medical definition please see Entoptic phenomenon In archaeology, the term entoptic phenomena relates to visual experiences derived from within the eye or brain (as opposed to externally, as in normal vision). In this respect they differ… …   Wikipedia

  • entoptic phenomena — visual sensations caused by changes within the eye itself, rather than by the normal light stimulation process. The commonest are tiny floating spots (floaters) that most people can see occasionally, especially when gazing at a brightly… …   Medical dictionary

  • entoptic phenomena — visual sensations caused by changes within the eye itself, rather than by the normal light stimulation process. The commonest are tiny floating spots (floaters) that most people can see occasionally, especially when gazing at a brightly… …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • entoptic phenomenon —    Also known as entoptic imagery, entoptic image, and entoptic form. All four terms are indebted to the Greek words entos (inside) and opsis (seeing). Traditionally the expression entoptic phenomenon is used to denote any member of a group of… …   Dictionary of Hallucinations

  • Entoptic phenomenon — This is a medical definition of entoptic phenomena. For an alternative use within archaeology please see Entoptic phenomena (archaeology) Entoptic phenomena are visual effects whose source is within the eye itself. (Occasionally, these are called …   Wikipedia

  • entoptic hallucination —    The term entoptic hallucination is indebted to the Greek words entos (inside) and opsis (seeing). It is used to denote a visual hallucination that is attributed primarily to intraocular pathology. The term entoptic hallucination is sometimes… …   Dictionary of Hallucinations

  • entoptic — adjective a) Located within the eyeball. When small opaque particles exist in the transparent media, they may cast their shadow on the retina so as to give rise to images which are projected outwards by the mind into space, and thus appear to… …   Wiktionary

  • entoptic — Within the eyeball. Often used to describe visual phenomena generated by mechanical or electrical stimulations of the retina. [ento + G. optikos, relating to vision] * * * ent·op·tic ( )ent äp tik adj lying or originating within the eyeball used… …   Medical dictionary

  • blue-field entoptic phenomenon —    Also known as Scheerer s phenomenon, after the German ophthalmologist Richard Scheerer. Both terms refer to an * entoptic phenomenon characterized by tiny bright dots moving quickly and semi randomly across the visual field, especially when… …   Dictionary of Hallucinations

  • Endaural phenomena — are sounds that are heard without any external acoustic stimulation. Endaural means in the ear . Phenomena include transient ringing in the ears (that sound like sine tones), white noise like sounds, and subjective tinnitis. Endaural phenomena… …   Wikipedia

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