"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Here’s what you’ll learn in this story: Studies show that your brain doesn’t perceive the world exactly ...

A single phrase can follow you for a lifetime. For me, it was this: Perception is reality. It was one of the first lessons drilled into me during Plebe Summer at the U.S. Naval Academy. It felt like a ...

I explain how perception versus reality can make life feel like a lie.

Our world is a rich tapestry of sensory information, constantly bombarding our nervous system with a vast array of stimuli.

A few years ago, I climbed over a gate and found myself gazing down at a valley. After I'd been walking for a few minutes, looking at the fields and the sky, there was a shift in my perception.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this story: Studies show that your brain doesn’t perceive the world exactly as it is. Instead, it “fills in gaps in perception.” The first layer of your brain’s primary ...