A little while ago, I experienced hallucinations (both in vision and audio). Considering myself to be of very sound mind, I must conclude that there is a major problem. But I have not recently experienced any hallucinations. Could it be that I just had a "one time" experience (lasting for about a month)?

– Scott, Arizona

Hallucinations create a distorted sense of reality — you may hear, see, taste, or feel things that are present in your mind but not in the external world. They can be very discomforting experiences and lead us to believe, as you do, that there is a major problem.

There are a number of causes of hallucinations, including:

Until recently, hallucinations were primarily viewed as a projection of one's unconscious desires. But as biological theories have become more widely accepted, scientists and doctors believe that hallucinations are actually caused by functional deficits in the brain, especially with the neurotransmitter, dopamine, a natural chemical that regulates brain activity and sleep.

However, some psychological research shows that hallucinations may result from biases in our metacognitive abilities. These are the skills that allow us to draw meaning from our internal psychological states (e.g., memories, thoughts, beliefs). Hallucinations may occur when our ability to discriminate between internal and external sources of information breaks down, and that may happen repeatedly or just once in a lifetime.

My advice: If your hallucinations don't return, don't worry. But if they do, seek professional help right away to determine their cause and get the proper treatment.

Learn more in the Everyday Health Healthy Living Center.