What is Alice in Wonderland syndrome?

Alice in Wonderland syndrome (AIWS) is a rare neurological condition. It temporarily affects how the brain understands its surroundings. AIWS impacts vision, hearing, touch and the perception of time. It most commonly occurs in children and teenagers.

Psychologist John Todd named AIWS in 1955, basing it on Lewis Carroll’s book Alice in Wonderland. In the story, a young girl named Alice enters a land where things do not appear as she expects them to. Those with Alice in Wonderland syndrome have similar experiences to Alice. AIWS is also sometimes called Todd’s syndrome.