according to dr. simon mccarthy-jones, associate professor in clinical psychology and neuropsychology with trinity college dublin, these experiences, which he calls “bereavement hallucinations,” are not only common and normal, they can also be good for you, providing “spiritual comfort, emotional strength and reduce feelings of isolation.”
as for what these hallucinations actually are, he says that it’s all about what’s happening in your brain.
“many scientists think that normal perception starts with the brain creating a prediction of what is ‘out there,'”
mccarthy-jones writes on the conversation
. “this prediction is then revised using feedback from the world, and forms the basis of what we perceive.”
in other words, “if someone has been a consistent, valued presence in your life, the brain is so used to predicting them that it may continue to do so.”
but for
bill guggenheim
, a stock broker turned adcs specialist and co-author of
hello from heaven
, these “connections” are so much more than hallucinations.
“according to our research, the purpose of these visits, contacts, and signs by those who have left their physical body is to offer comfort, reassurance, and hope to their parents, spouse, siblings, children, grandchildren, other family members, and friends,” he writes, adding that there are twelve kinds of adcs, ranging from photos being turned over and floating hologram-like images of the deceased, to answering the phone to hear their voice on the other end of the line.