The optical illusion that can 'break your brain'

A study carried out on the McCollough effect in 1975 found that some people were still seeing black-and-white as green and red up to three months after triggering the illusion. Image / YouTube

There's a new optical illusion taking over the internet known as the McCollough effect.

Similar to the white and gold or black and blue dress illusion that went viral a few years ago, scientists warn that staring at these images could have a much longer lasting effect.

To trigger the McCollough effect one must stare at the coloured vertical and horizontal lines for three minutes each, before looking at the black-and-white lines.

After a while the mind will be tricked into thinking that the black-and-white lines are coloured and they may appear red, green or pinkish.

A study carried out on the McCollough effect in 1975 found that some people were still seeing black-and-white as green and red up to three months after triggering the illusion.

Apparently staring at the original coloured images again at a 90 degree counter clockwise angle returns your vision back to normal in half the time it normally would.

You can try it out for yourself, but be warned that there could be lasting effects.