A MESMERIZING optical illusion has the internet flooding to TikTok to test out the video’s stunning effect.
The illusion leaves an imprint on viewers’ eyes even after looking away.
This illusion takes advantage of the eyes but the secret is in the brain[/caption]
The TikTok post instructs users to stare at the center of the trippy, gyrating pattern.
The video has almost 150,000 likes and hundreds of comments.
“My hand was like sinking after I saw the illusion,” one commenter wrote.
“The palm of my hand started moving inward,” another added.
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The video creates an effect called a motion aftereffect or spiral aftereffect.
Notice the pattern seen in the after image tracks in the opposite direction of the original video.
The spiral aftereffect is caused by desensitizing the neurons responsible for interpreting the motion of the video.
The concept was first described by the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle when he observed the motion of a waterfall left an impression after looking away.
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Staring at the center and then looking at your hand or a blank wall will give a glimpse of a condition called palinopsia.
Palinopsia patients can experience afterimages that are more intense and debilitating than the effects caused by optical illusions.
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Optical illusions draw an interesting line in our interpretation of reality.
Fortunately, the brain is normally accurate in computing visuals, though the spiral aftereffect is rather effective at selling motion that really is not there.
