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Reality shifting – at the boundaries of the brain.

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Title: Reality shifting – at the boundaries of the brain.
Authors: Alderson-Day, Ben (AUTHOR)
Source: Psychologist. May2026, p14-16. 3p. 2 Color Photographs.
Subjects: Dissociation (Psychology), Maladaptive daydreaming, Scripts, Dreams, Visualization, Meditation
Abstract: The article examines the phenomenon of "reality shifting," a trend emerging in 2020 where individuals use meditation, visualization, and scripting techniques to transition from shared reality to immersive, desired realities (DRs) often based on fictional universes. Psychological research, including a review by Eli Somer and colleagues, suggests reality shifting may relate to dissociation and maladaptive daydreaming, though its precise nature remains unclear. The practice shares similarities with lucid dreaming and tulpamancy—an activity involving creating autonomous imagined companions—both requiring intense mental focus and creative engagement. The article situates reality shifting within broader discussions of imagination’s diversity, highlighting variations in mental imagery and inner experience, and calls for further empirical study to understand its psychological and social dimensions. [Extracted from the article]
Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: The article examines the phenomenon of "reality shifting," a trend emerging in 2020 where individuals use meditation, visualization, and scripting techniques to transition from shared reality to immersive, desired realities (DRs) often based on fictional universes. Psychological research, including a review by Eli Somer and colleagues, suggests reality shifting may relate to dissociation and maladaptive daydreaming, though its precise nature remains unclear. The practice shares similarities with lucid dreaming and tulpamancy—an activity involving creating autonomous imagined companions—both requiring intense mental focus and creative engagement. The article situates reality shifting within broader discussions of imagination’s diversity, highlighting variations in mental imagery and inner experience, and calls for further empirical study to understand its psychological and social dimensions. [Extracted from the article]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Psychologist is the property of British Psychological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=193505986
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        PageCount: 3
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      – SubjectFull: Dissociation (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Maladaptive daydreaming
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Scripts
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      – SubjectFull: Dreams
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      – SubjectFull: Visualization
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      – SubjectFull: Meditation
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      – TitleFull: Reality shifting – at the boundaries of the brain.
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            – D: 01
              M: 05
              Text: May2026
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
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