# Hallucinations (book)

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***Hallucinations*** is a 2012 book written by the [neurologist](/source/Neurologist) [Oliver Sacks](/source/Oliver_Sacks). In *Hallucinations*, Sacks recounts stories of [hallucinations](/source/Hallucination) and other mind-altering episodes of both his patients and himself and uses them in an attempt to elucidate certain features and structures of the brain[1] including his own [migraine](/source/Migraine) headaches.[2]

## Summary

*Hallucinations* was written with the intention to remove the stigma of hallucinations in the eyes of society and the medical world.[3] The book is separated into fifteen chapters; each chapter pertains to a different observation of hallucinations made by Sacks. The hallucinations mentioned in this book come from the everyday citizen and his own experiences, which are used to connect the structure and function of the brain of a healthy person to the symptom of hallucination. Sacks also mentions the positive effects of hallucinations in culture and art.[4]

Sacks notes that the symptom of hallucinations have a negative connotation that was created by society. The purpose of *Hallucinations* was to take away the public fear of symptoms relating to mental illness by showcasing many instances where healthy individuals experienced hallucinations.[5] Sacks also uses this book to educate society on the different types of hallucinations and the neurological basis behind hallucinations.

## Awards and honors

- 2014 [Wellcome Book Prize](/source/Wellcome_Book_Prize) shortlist[6][7]

## References

1. *The Week* – Review of reviews: Books, pp. 19

1. ["More about *Hallucinations*"](http://www.oliversacks.com/books-by-oliver-sacks/hallucinations/), *oliversacks.com*. Retrieved 2016-11-23.

1. O'Callaghan, Tiffany (2012-11-11). ["Oliver Sacks on Drugs, Hallucinations, Joan of Arc, and Arguing With God"](https://slate.com/technology/2012/11/oliver-sacks-interview-hallucinations-are-common-in-seizures-sensory-deprivation-and-sleep-and-can-cause-religious-experiences.html). *[Slate](/source/Slate_(magazine))*. Retrieved 2019-04-29.

1. Kakutani, Michiko (2012-11-26). ["*Hallucinations*, by Oliver Sacks"](https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/27/books/hallucinations-by-oliver-sacks.html). *[The New York Times](/source/The_New_York_Times)*. [ISSN 0362-4331](https://www.worldcat.org/issn/0362-4331). Retrieved 2019-04-29.

1. ["Oliver Sacks: *Hallucinations*"](https://www.npr.org/2012/11/09/164797143/oliver-sacks-hallucinations). *NPR*. [NPR](/source/NPR). 9 November 2012. Retrieved 2019-04-29.

1. ["Andrew Motion announces shortlist for the Wellcome Book Prize 2014"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160314095806/http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2014/WTP055762.htm). [Wellcome Trust](/source/Wellcome_Trust). 25 February 2014. Archived from [the original](http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/News/Media-office/Press-releases/2014/WTP055762.htm) on 14 March 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2014.

1. GrrlScientist (26 February 2014). ["Wellcome Trust's Book Prize 2014 shortlist announced"](https://www.theguardian.com/science/grrlscientist/2014/feb/26/wellcome-prize-2014-shortlist-health-medicine-books). *[The Guardian](/source/The_Guardian)*. Retrieved February 26, 2014.

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