Perceptual Illusions: What Do They Say About Our Brain?

Realitology, a new interdisciplinary science, offers a number of exercises based on research in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Here are five techniques that can help you see the world in a new light:The way we perceive reality largely determines our lives. But what if we can change this perception and thereby transform our experience?

This exercise is based on research that shows changing perspectives can reduce the emotional intensity of experiences and improve decision-making (Kross et al., 2014).

Technique: Imagine that you are observing yourself from the outside, like a character in a movie. Describe your situation in the third person. For example: «Anna faced a problem at work. She feels…»

Practice this daily for 5-10 minutes, especially in stressful situations. After a few weeks, you will be able to stop the conscious practice—it will become a habit, and you will apply it automatically, exactly when needed.

Maria, a 35-year-old accountant, struggled with chronic anxiety. She applied the "third-person perspective" technique by regularly describing her problems in the third person. After three months of practice, Maria noted a significant reduction in her anxiety levels and an improvement in the quality of her life

This technique is based on the principles of mindfulness and neuroplasticity, which show that focused attention can change neural connections (Lazar et al., 2005).

Technique: Choose an everyday experience (such as brushing your teeth) and focus on one sensory aspect that is usually ignored. This could be the sound of the toothbrush, the temperature of the water, or the texture of the toothpaste.

Practice this with various daily activities over the course of a week. You may be surprised at how such a simple exercise can open new dimensions in everyday life. It will have a positive impact on all your decisions, judgments, and mood.

Victoria, a 50-year-old teacher, had suffered from chronic back pain for many years. She began practicing "sensory switching," focusing on pleasant sensations in her body.

This technique, widely used in cognitive behavioral therapy, can change the emotional response to events (Gross, 2002).

Technique: Imagine yourself 10 years from now. Where do you live? What do you do? What do you look like? Now imagine that you are from the future giving advice to your current self. What would you say?

Practice this exercise once a week, especially when faced with important decisions. After a while of practicing, the future you will always be with you, like a guardian angel, ready to come to your aid.

Elena, a 42-year-old middle manager, felt stuck in her career. She used a "virtual time-traveling" technique by imagining herself 10 years from now.

This advanced technique is based on synesthesia research, which shows that cross-modal perception can alter the experience of reality (Ramachandran & Hubbard, 2001).

Technique: Choose an emotion or concept (e.g., «happiness» or «success»). Try to imagine it as a color, then as a shape, then as a sound, and finally as a physical sensation in the body.

Practice this exercise daily, starting with simple concepts and gradually moving to more complex ones.

Remember that changing your perception of reality is a skill that takes practice. Be patient and consistent in your efforts. Over time, you may notice your experience of reality becoming richer and more malleable. Realitology offers exciting opportunities for personal growth and transformation. Begin your journey today and discover new facets of reality!

Alexei, a 28-year-old graphic designer, was facing a serious creative crisis.Alexei not only overcame the crisis, but also won a prestigious design competition.

Stories about the use of exercise show that realpolitik methods can be effective in a wide variety of life situations.

1. Regular practice: All the characters in our stories practised the chosen techniques on a daily basis.
2. Patience: Significant results did not appear immediately, but after several weeks or months of practice.
3. Openness to new experiences: The willingness to experiment and try new approaches played an important role.
4. Integration into daily life: Those who were most successful were those who were able to make realist practices part of their daily routine.
5. Support and feedback: Many noted the importance of support from loved ones or professionals in the change process.

Gross, J. J. (2002). Emotion regulation: Affective, cognitive, and social consequences. Psychophysiology, 39(3), 281-291.
Kross, E., Bruehlman-Senecal, E., Park, J., Burson, A., Dougherty, A., Shablack, H., ... & Ayduk, O. (2014). Self-talk as a regulatory mechanism: how you do it matters. Journal of personality and social psychology, 106(2), 304.
Lazar, S. W., Kerr, C. E., Wasserman, R. H., Gray, J. R., Greve, D. N., Treadway, M. T., ... & Fischl, B. (2005). Meditation experience is associated with increased cortical thickness. Neuroreport, 16(17), 1893-1897.
Ramachandran, V. S., & Hubbard, E. M. (2001). Synaesthesia--a window into perception, thought and language. Journal of consciousness studies, 8(12), 3-34.
Schacter, D. L., & Addis, D. R. (2007). The cognitive neuroscience of constructive memory: remembering the past and imagining the future. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 362(1481), 773-786.