Nature Mental Health, Published online: 10 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s44220-026-00676-8
As aspects of human cognition, hallucinations and delusions can become clinical concerns when they persist, intensify or disrupt daily life. Seen through the lens of modern neuroscience, they reflect shifts in how the brain predicts, interprets and assigns meaning to experience. Exploring these processes allows better understanding of the fragile mechanisms that underpin perception and belief.