This optical illusion will blow your mind (yes, really)

Illusions fascinate us all. Whether its trying to find the lady and the dolphin in the image, or arguing whether the dress is blue and black or white and gold, we can't help but look.

The latest optical illusion to have the internet all a flutter is an image  of what first appears to be a mishmash of colours. Nothing particularly special. Until you stare it long enough. Go ahead, try it before you read any further. We'll wait.

Did you see it? After about 30 seconds the swirls of colour disappeared entirely. Posted to Reddit by NightBreeze13, it’s an example of a phenomenon known as Troxler’s fading.

Derek Arnold, a psychology professor at the University of Queensland, told The Verge that the reason the colours disappear is because the brain stops paying attention to visual scenes that don’t change. 

Every year, Scientific American runs the Best Illusion of the Year Contest to celebrate illusions and perception. The winner of the 2017 competition, 'Shape from Motion Only' will leave you scratching your head:

Want more? Of course you do. Here are five other illusions that will leaving you questioning your sanity (click on the links below the image to find out more):

Autokinetic Illusion

Mask of Love

Dynamic Luminance-Gradient Effect

Coffer Illusion

Exorcist Illusion - Twisting Necks