In our daily lives, light is something we take for granted. We are accustomed to a world with light and rely on our sense of sight to perceive everything around us. But if you were suddenly placed in a completely dark room, how would you feel? Fear? Loneliness? Or would you start to think about who you are?
In psychology, there was once a research project called the “darkness experiment,” which observed how people’s mental states changed when they were placed in a completely dark environment for a long period of time. This experiment was not only a sensory challenge, but also an exploration of the depths of the human mind.
I. How did the “darkness experiment” come about?
The “darkness experiment” was first proposed by a psychologist named John Smith in the 1970s.His idea was simple: if a person cannot see anything, how will their brain react? Will they still feel like “me”?
To test this question, Smith designed an experiment: participants were asked to stay in a completely dark room for 48 hours. During this time, they were not allowed to use any lighting equipment or communicate with the outside world. The researchers hoped to observe the psychological changes that occur when a person loses their sense of sight.
II. What stages did the participants go through psychologically?
According to the experiment records, most people’s psychological changes in the dark can be roughly divided into three stages:
Stage 1: Anxiety and unease
When they first entered the dark environment, almost everyone felt very nervous. Because they couldn’t see, they couldn’t judge whether there was any danger around them, nor could they control their situation. This fear of the unknown made them anxious and even panicky.
Many people reported that their heart rate accelerated, their palms sweated, and they even experienced auditory hallucinations during the first few hours. These phenomena indicate that when people lose their vision, their other senses are heightened and their emotions become more sensitive.
Stage 2: Gradual adaptation to darkness
As time passed, some people began to gradually adapt to the darkness. Although they still could not see anything, they were no longer as agitated and began to try to perceive their surroundings in other ways.
For example, some learned to judge the size of a room by the sound of footsteps, while others relied on touching walls to confirm their location. Although this stage appears calm on the surface, the brain is actually still adjusting and adapting to the new state.
Stage 3: Hallucinations
In the later stages of the experiment, many participants reported experiencing various hallucinations. Some said they saw flashes of light in front of their eyes, some heard voices in their ears, and others felt as if their bodies were floating in the air.
These hallucinations are not a sign of “madness,” but rather the brain’s attempt to fill the void caused by the extreme lack of external information by extracting memories and imagination from within. In other words, when the real world “shuts down,” our subconscious mind becomes active.
III. A Real-Life Case: Harden’s Story
There is a real-life story very similar to the “darkness experiment” that has attracted widespread attention. This person is named Harden, who lost his sight in an accident.
When he first lost his sight, Harden felt immense pain. He didn’t know how to live and even considered giving up everything. However, after several months, he began to slowly adapt to life without light.
In the process, he discovered another ability—he began to rely on sound and touch to understand the world, and even created many touching musical works. He found the meaning of life again in his own way.
Harden’s experience tells us that even in the darkest moments, we can find light within ourselves. Sometimes, true growth does not come from outside help, but from our own awakening in the face of adversity.
IV. What insights does the “darkness experiment” give us?
The “darkness experiment” is not just a scientific test, but more like an exploration of our inner world. When we lose our sight, our brains are forced to face thoughts and emotions that are normally ignored.
This experiment reminds us that we often think we know ourselves, but in fact we are just accustomed to the external world. Once we leave our familiar environment, we realize the true power and fragility of our inner selves.
Key insights are as follows:
- Vision is not the only way we perceive the world: even if we cannot see, we can still understand the world through hearing, touch, and other senses.
- Darkness is not scary; what is scary is not daring to face ourselves: when the outside world is quiet, we have the opportunity to hear the voice of our hearts.
- Everyone has hidden potential: in extreme environments, some people can unleash unprecedented creativity and insight.
V. How should we face the “dark moments” in life?
Life cannot always be bright; there will always be low points and challenges. Just like the “darkness experiment,” when we face sudden changes, our first reaction may be fear and resistance. But if we are willing to calm down, try to adapt, and listen to our inner voice, we may find direction in the darkness.
You can try the following:
- Accept the present situation: Don’t rush to escape the困境; allow yourself to pause first.
- Focus on your inner feelings: Ask yourself, “What am I most worried about right now?” and “What do I hope to achieve?”
- Seek alternative solutions: Just as the participants in the experiment learned to use hearing to replace vision, you may discover new ways to solve problems.
- Believe that time will bring change: Darkness will not last forever. As long as you keep going, there will always be light.
VI. Conclusion: You can see yourself even in the dark
The “darkness experiment” teaches us that the real challenge is never the environment itself, but how we perceive and respond to it. When we let go of our dependence on external stimuli and turn to listen to our inner voice, we can truly know ourselves.
So, the next time you feel lost or helpless, try to see yourself as a participant in the “darkness experiment.” Close your eyes, take a deep breath, and ask yourself, “If I can’t see anything right now, do I still know who I am?”
Perhaps the answer will emerge unexpectedly.