Evidence-Based Approach to the Internal World and Religious Beliefs: Are They Illusions or Hallucinations? Insights from Default Space Theory
Journal of Neurological Sciences and Research. April 10, 2026 Ravinder Jerath
Consciousness may arise from an internally generated three-dimensional 'default space' that the brain projects, rather than directly mirroring the external world. In this model, the brain creates a virtual reality of experience by integrating sensory inputs with memories and expectations, meaning perception is shaped as much by prior knowledge and top-down expectations as by incoming stimuli. Evidence from sensory illusions and hallucinations supports this Default Space Theory (DST), demonstrating the brain's ability to construct or alter perceptual reality. The analysis suggests that profound religious or spiritual experiences—visions, voices, and transcendent sensations—can be understood as internally generated experiences produced by the brain's default generative mechanisms, consistent with an evidence-based DST framework.