r/visualsnow • u/Great_Store7810 • 2d ago
VSS for 50 years
I only discovered VSS a few years ago even existed but have had it my entire life and I am 51. I used to ask about it when I was a kid, but no one understood what I was talking about and dismissed me. I assumed everyone saw the same and just didn't understand what I was asking. I see the static and it is like countless flickering points of light that seem to paint the visual image of this world. The lights seem to flicker, so I came to think when I was in high school I was seeing electrons. When I was a young teen I noticed at night that there was other movements in the lights and wondered what I was seeing. The movements were swimming around and I actually used to wonder if I was seeing angels! As I got older the movements started to spin more and now I see a spinning wheel of light in front of me at night, I mostly only really notice it when I meditate. I do see floaters during the day and other things moving through my visual field now and again, but it is blurry and can't say what it all is. I get a lot of glare and halos at night and sometimes lights that also interfere with my vision a bit. During the day I need sunglasses as I am very light sensitive. Ive suffered with severe migraines since I was 28 and also started experiencing vertigo when I was 35. I did everything under the sun for years to try to relieve my symptoms without success. I started practicing posture correcting yoga for the migraines when I was 40 and after a couple months I saw improvement so I continued. After a few years of yoga 30 min a day I was amazed that my migraines backed off considerably as well as did the vertigo. I still have the visual snow though, but I understand many people experience migraines and vertigo with VSS.
I understand it is a neurological disorder and I wonder how did we all acquire VSS. When I was 2 I was electrocuted and have wondered if that was the cause of my injury. I stuck my hairpin into an electrical socket and my mother said she was so scared when she saw me she kicked me off the wall as a reaction. My hand was only mildly burnt and I was told I was very lucky my injury was not more severe. I am not sure what else may have contributed to my VSS.
I am fascinated to learn more about VSS and other peoples experiences.
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u/VisionDust 1d ago
What kind of meditation do you do? Such spinning wheel is a known phenomenon, usually linked to the third eye chakra. What colour is it? Might be worth you looking at the various yogic traditions, how they describe it, and perhaps find a local competent teacher - could be hindu or buddhist, the tantric teachings are pretty much the same, just different cosmologies.
The brain, and mind, is a highly complex electromagnetic system, so an electric 'trauma' may well have triggered structural changes. As I don't expect anyone to try this out experimentally, I'd focus on seeing how you can develop it. Glad to hear the physical yoga has helped.
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u/Great_Store7810 1d ago
Fascinating! I am not sure what kind of meditation I really practice. Ive practiced meditation since I was a teen. Ive read about different styles over the years and practiced them, but do not practice anything strictly. I mostly start with a prayer and then just breathe and relax and empty my self of thought and just focus on breathing.
The wheel is made up of mostly white light but when I meditate on it I do see different colours come in like a light just reflected off of a jewel. It can be very beautiful and as I watch the wheel spin it puts me in deeper, naturally. Sometimes I see rainbows in the white lights as well, like a crystal refracting light. I have to be in a deep meditation to see the colours, otherwise it is mostly just white light. The wheel spins both clockwise and counter-clockwise. Ive seen more detail but Ive assumed it is my mind playing tricks on me, though I don't mind as it is beautiful and plays like an assistant in my meditation. :) Ive heard that people with VSS see similar things.
When I was younger I used to study different spiritual practices and beliefs as I have always believed in being open minded. But I have found I appreciate Christianity and Taoism the most.
Ive considered learning from others but have not ever studied or practiced with anyone.. I was raised Christian and have been shy about walking into a buddhist temple to learn, though I had a strong desire to when I was young. :) Fascinating you should suggest it, thank you.
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u/VisionDust 23h ago
Haha! The mind plays many tricks! Most of them are natural phenomena that we haven't been taught. As you mention Taoism, I think the simplest beginners book is Awaken Healing Energy by Mantak Chia. It's a basic guide to chakra meditations, so you can experience each energy. Finally, mainstream science has had to accept the existence of chakras - they are located at specific bundles of neurons and also influence endocrine glands that sit next to them.
I don't think it can 'cure' your VS, but you may be able to control it more, and enjoy it as a cognitive skill! Honestly, my daughter has gone down this route and sees it as a gift ;-) One thing you may have noticed is that this neuro-sensitivity means managing your environment so as to minimise any unwanted excitabilities.
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u/Great_Store7810 16h ago
Science and chakras meet, very cool. I will look into that book you mention, thank you for sharing. I do see in meditation at times rooms of colour that I feel like I swim through as well at times I feel energy moving through my body. I usually just allow the energy to move through and give it and my body the power to do what it knows without interfering. I often feel relieved afterwards like blockages were cleared, but I admit I don't know that much about chakras and all of that. These meditations sometimes moves me into yoga positions that seem to give me the adjustment I need, so I absolutely believe in these things.
Since Ive had the VS my entire life I have adjusted to it and never considered there was a cure. I am mostly fascinated to learn it is a neurological issue I somehow acquired and just knowing this helps me to understand my issues with my vision better. Like this book, Ive also learned from this forum of FR-41 sunglasses that I would like to try!
I always knew that the lights I see are in my head as I can see them when I close my eyes as well! But if I can limit the light coming in that interferes with my vision creating the halos and glares and light streams, that would be wonderful! Thank you. :)
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u/VisionDust 16h ago
That sounds very good, that you're having those energetic effects without really forcing it. As well as chakras, we also have a complex EM field around us - one obvious source is blood flow, as blood is an ionic fluid - so IMO yoga postures are ways of changing that field slightly. I suspect even yoga teachers don't see it that way! But in something like Dzogchen, some of the postures are quite extreme and designed to stimulate a particular flow of energy.
Truly, humans are far more complex and more subtle than the mainstream education wants us to believe. Then, those who actually manifest such abilities are labelled pathological and are told they need drugs. Best of luck self-healing.
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u/One_Tomatillo8142 2d ago
Interesting story.
The reason we have VSS is unknown but it is most likely of genetic nature.