Contracting Vortex Illusion
Surrender to the pull of the vortex as it collapses into infinity.
🧐 What do you see?▼
Numerous small particles appear to spiral frantically toward the center, disappearing into a "void." After staring for 30 seconds, look away—the world around you may appear to expand or "bloom."
🧠 Why this works▼
The Contracting Vortex is a powerful tool for inducing the Motion Aftereffect (MAE). By continuously stimulating neurons that detect inward motion, those neurons become fatigued.
When you look at a static scene afterwards, the "outward motion" neurons (which are still rested) have a higher relative firing rate, making the static image seem to expand. This specific version uses high-frequency particle updates to keep the fatigue centered and intense.
🧪 Try variations▼
- Reverse: Click "Switch Direction" to see the "Expanding Vortex," which will make the world shrink when you look away.
- Stare for longer: Staring for a full 60 seconds will yield the strongest aftereffect.
❓ FAQ▼
Why do the colors change?
The HSL color cycle is used to prevent the brain from "latching" onto a single object, forcing it to process the raw motion signals instead.