Imagine That: Transform How You Think, Feel, and Live with the Science of Imagination

by Cassandra Vieten

The director of the Center for Human Imagination at the University of California, San Diego, reveals her original research behind the science of imagination as the key to human flourishing and progress, showing you how to harness it to transform your life.

What if the most overlooked key to mental health, innovation, and human connection wasn’t a pill, a device, or a productivity hack—but your own imagination? In Imagine That, psychologist and imagination scientist Dr. Cassandra Vieten makes a radical imagination is not just for artists and dreamers, it’s the operating system behind how all of us think, act, and live. And it exists within everyone.

Drawing on her original, cutting-edge neuroscientific research, Vieten introduces the concept of imagination the idea that each of us has a unique set of strengths and tendencies that can be understood and activated. This book is your map to that inner world, and the key to unlocking new possibilities in every area of life.

Vieten’s research unpacks the neurological, cognitive, and social components of imagination, and uncovers how we can cultivate and apply it in our daily lives. Readers of this book will gain the ability

- Open their mind to new possibilities to help alleviate depression, anxiety, and other mental health struggles.
- Boost their workouts, sports, and physical training.
- Enrich relationships.
- Be more creative in work, school, hobbies, art, and music.
- Deepen spirituality or other existential explorations.
- Develop more joy and creative energy through a more colorful way of seeing and being.

This is the first book to offer a road map to determining your imagination strengths and how you can leverage them to invent, create, innovate, and lead a richer and more fulfilling life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Psychology, Science, Self Help, Health

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 11, 2026

Reviews

[Bookish Emili Reads]

In Imagine That, psychologist and imagination researcher Dr. Cassandra Vieten makes a compelling case that imagination is far more than a creative pastime. She argues that imagination is a core human capability that influences mental health, relationships, problem-solving, personal growth, and even physical performance. Drawing on neuroscience and psychological research, she explores how people can intentionally develop and use their imagination to improve their lives.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its accessibility. Vieten translates complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging language without oversimplifying the research. Her concept of "imagination neurodiversity" is particularly interesting, highlighting how individuals possess different imaginative strengths that can be identified and cultivated.
The book also balances science with practical application. Rather than remaining purely theoretical, Vieten provides readers with ways to apply imagination to creativity, mental well-being, relationships, spirituality, and everyday decision-making. The result is a work that feels both informative and useful.
While the ideas are thought-provoking, some sections can feel repetitive, and readers already familiar with positive psychology, mindfulness, or creativity research may find parts of the material familiar. A few concepts could have benefited from deeper exploration and more real-world case studies.
Overall, Imagine That is an insightful and encouraging examination of one of our most underappreciated mental abilities. Vieten successfully demonstrates that imagination is not reserved for artists or innovators but is a skill that everyone can develop to enhance daily life and well-being.
Rating: 4/5 stars. An engaging blend of science and self-improvement that offers a fresh perspective on the power of imagination, even if some ideas feel more reinforcing than groundbreaking.

[LAMONT D]

I would say that every chapter contains some sort of profitable information that may be useful to the reader. But also, I would contend that I have my doubts on everything she reiterates as a positive outcome to what she is promoting. I probably should go to her website and participate in the Imagination Survey (https://imagination.ucsd.edu/profile). There is an abundance of notes in the back along with a helpful index and detailed descriptions of the 17 images in the book. She does make a good point that we are experiencing a mental health epidemic in our country today. Just in my small circle of family and friends there are severe and debilitating issues occurring. In the book you are giving guides or resources on how to practice some of the techniques introduced in the chapters. She hints at and compares imagination versus creativity throughout the book as well: "Imagination provides the ingredients, a cauldron for creativity to take those ingredients and shape something new." Also, she references this comment: "Imagination is not about what is not real, it is not even the creative detection of what is hidden, it is an extension of consciousness to re-draw the boundaries of reality." I like that she referenced Viktor Frankl's life as an excellent example of one of her principles or theories (healthy imagination). The author lost me though on the section entitle sacred medicine and the use of psychedelics. The fact that she cofounded the UC San Diego Center for Psychedelic Research lowers her credibility in my eyes substantially. She admittedly leaves the spiritual side of things and that world alone. To her credit she expresses the fact that a discussion of that topic is beyond the scope of the book. Overall, this is worth a read particularly if you are on medication for anxiety, depression or panic attacks. What do you have to lose to try some of these methods espoused in this book.

[Lisa Gray]

This was a book I wasn’t super excited about reading until I read it and it kinda blew my mind. Vieten walks us through the brain science of imagination, showing us how much of our lives are actually imaginative, filling in storylines about people and events with our own brushstrokes. I knew this before, but Vieten explained well how our brains can’t entirely tell the difference between imagination and reality, so we can do some healing by imagining ourselves to be a certain way, paving the road to being more comfortable actually being that way. There’s a whole section about imagining a future life for yourself, like writing a vivid novel or movie of how you’d like your character arc to go. There’s some evidence that it’s easier to achieve after vividly imagining. She gives tips and practices for using imagination to improve mental health and daily life. At the end she goes into psychedelics and the metaphysical realm, but because she’s established herself in science, it feels ok even if you’re not into that. This is a great book if you’re feeling stuck or unfulfilled in your life.

[Erin Greenawald]

I'm extremely picky about my pop-science / nonfiction reads, and I really enjoyed this one!

I thought Cassandra did a great job balancing digging into the science just enough to make you feel amazed at what research is showing us about imagination, and then moving beyond that into ways you can put the science into action across a myriad of areas in your own life, from mental health and relationships to future-thinking. The core idea of the impact of imagination is simple, but she does a good job making each chapter feel unique and not like it's just a rehash of the same concept over and over again. I'm especially excited to try some of the activities related to chronic pain next time I have a flare-up, and curious to try some of the relational imagination activities with my friends.

Overall, an easy and enjoyable read that I think will stick with me for a while!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon Element | S&S/Simon Element for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Kaela]

5 non-fiction ⭐️!

I wasn't sold at the beginning, but as the book unfolds, I found myself imagining and daydreaming. Cassandra Vieten not only tells the history, provides facts, and talks about completed trials, but also challenges the reader to imagine many different scenarios. I found myself walking in the park, listening to this book, and wishing I had a copy to do exactly what she prescribed. The mind is such a powerful thing and imagination plays into every aspect. What a fun, informative, and pensive read.

[SubconsciousShelf]

When Imagination Becomes a Life Skill

I really loved this book. It’s informative without being overwhelming, and Vieten has a gift for making science feel personal and applicable. Her ideas about imagination as a real skill, something we can strengthen and use intentionally, were fascinating and surprisingly encouraging. A thoughtful, accessible read that left me feeling inspired.

[Jo]

Another great listen

[Nora Nora]

DNF @ 50%