Closed-eye hallucination
type of hallucination
Closed-eye hallucinations and closed-eye visualizations (CEV) are hallucinations that occur when one's eyes are closed or when one is in a darkened room. They are not the same as phosphenes; perceived light and shapes when pressure is applied to the eye's retina, or some other non-visual external cause stimulates the eye. Some people report CEV under the influence of psychedelics; these are reportedly of a different nature than the "open-eye" hallucinations of the same compounds. Similar hallucinations that occur due to loss of vision are called "visual release hallucinations".
Levels of CEV perception
There are five known levels of CEV perception which can be achieved either through chemical stimuli or through meditative relaxation techniques. Levels 1 and 2 are very common and often happen every day. It is still normal to experience level 3, and even level 4; however, only a small percentage of the population does this without psychedelic drugs, meditation or extensive visualization training.
Level 1: Visual noise
The most basic form of CEV perception that can be immediately experienced in the normal waking consciousness involves a seemingly random noise of pointillistic light or dark regions with no apparent shape or order. Level 1 is the most universally experienced form of CEV perception.
This can be seen when the eyes are closed and looking at the back of the eyelids.
Begin with the source’s own compact description: “Closed-eye hallucination” is type of hallucination. The dossier treats that line as a proposition to test through Closed-eye, hallucination and type, not as a finished interpretation.
Why this record matters
The phrase “type of hallucination” supplies a clear boundary for inquiry. It also exposes the unanswered questions: who defined that boundary, when it became stable and which sources sit outside it.
Named sources, stable identifiers and responsible institutions provide the strongest route from overview to verifiable evidence. The source revision retrieved here is dated Aug 9, 2026. The linked authority identifier is Q5135315. None of the 0 selected statements returned an explicit reference.
Overview language is designed for orientation and should not be treated as a substitute for the evidence cited beneath it. The source lead contains qualifying language; that uncertainty should survive quotation, summary and reuse. Authority statements aid reconciliation but still require their own references, qualifiers and ranks to be checked.
How to read it
Use the entry as an orientation point, then follow its citations and revision history. Names, dates and institutional relationships should be checked against the original record.
- Subject orientation
- Search vocabulary
- Locating named sources
The closest primary source, responsible institution and strongest cited specialist reference.
Three-step research path
- Establish the record: confirm the title “Closed-eye hallucination”, its source revision and the description used here.
- Expand the search: follow Closed-eye hallucination primary sources, Closed-eye hallucination archive and Closed-eye research across catalogues and specialist indexes.
- Test the account: compare the strongest cited source with the responsible institution’s current record and note any disagreement.
Questions for further research
- Which source most directly establishes the central claim about “Closed-eye hallucination”?
- Which cited source is closest to the event, object or claim?
- What terminology or title could unlock a more precise catalogue search?
Search terms from this dossier
This entry incorporates text from “Closed-eye hallucination” on English Wikipedia. Contributors are listed in the page history. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Selected authority identifiers and statements are retrieved from Wikidata under CC0; their references and qualifiers remain part of the verification path.