Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome

Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome (sometimes shortened to AIWS) is also known as Todd’s Syndrome or lilliputian hallucinations. The syndrome is obviously named after the novel, written by Lewis Carroll.

Patients may experience micropsia (objects are perceived to be smaller than they actually are), macropsia (objects are perceived to be larger than they actually are) or size distortion of other sensory modalities. The syndrome is therefore a disorienting neurological condition that affects human perception.

The Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome is considered a temporary condition that is triggered by the use of psychoactive drugs, but could also be the result of brain tumors or migraines. Some individuals report mild cases at sleep onset.

It is thought that the Alice-in-Wonderland Syndrome is caused by abnormal amounts of electrical activity that results abnormal blood flow in the parts of the brain that process visual perception and texture.