Updated on September 12, 2024
Imagine biting into a juicy orange and not just savouring its sharp flavour but also experiencing a burst of orange colour in your mouth. Or when you hear the sound of a piano, you simultaneously see a surge of colours dancing before your eyes. These experiences might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but for some people, they are part of everyday life. This phenomenon is known as synesthesia.
What is synesthesia?
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where stimulating one sensory or cognitive pathway triggers automatic, involuntary experiences in another sensory or cognitive pathway.
In simpler words, it means that when one sense is activated, another unrelated sense is also triggered. For example, someone with synesthesia might hear music and see colours (a form known as chromesthesia) or read words and taste specific flavours.
This condition is not a disorder or illness, it’s more like a unique way of experiencing the world.
It’s believed that around 4% of the population has some form of synesthesia, though the actual number might be higher as many people may not even realise they have it.
Different types of synesthesia
- Grapheme-colour synesthesia: This is one of the most common forms of synesthesia. People with this type associate specific colours with letters or numbers. For example, the letter “A” might always appear red, while the number “5” is always green.
- Chromesthesia: People with chromesthesia see colours when they hear sounds. A piano note might produce a flash of blue, or a dog barking might create a streak of yellow.
- Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: This is a rare form in which certain words or sounds trigger specific taste sensations. A person’s name might taste like chocolate, or the word “piano” might taste like oranges.
- Spatial sequence synesthesia: People with this type visualise numerical sequences as points in space. For example, they might see the number 7 as being further away than the number 3.
- Misophonia: Misophonia is an emotional reaction to specific sounds, like chewing or tapping. Someone with misophonia may feel intense discomfort or anger when they hear repetitive or certain unpleasant noises.
- Ordinal linguistic personification: This form involves assigning personalities or genders to sequences like days of the week or numbers. For example, Monday might be seen as a serious older man, while Tuesday is a cheerful young woman.
- Number form: This type of synesthesia involves seeing numbers arranged in a specific spatial pattern. A person might picture numbers climbing in a staircase or forming a curve when they think of them.
- Auditory–tactile synesthesia: This occurs when certain sounds trigger physical sensations in the body. A person with this type might feel a sensation like a tickle, pressure, or warmth, on their skin when they hear a specific sound, like a bell ringing or music playing.
- Mirror-touch synesthesia: People with this type feel the sensations they see happening to others. For instance, if they see someone being touched on the shoulder, they might feel that same touch on their shoulder.
- Kinesthetic synesthesia: This occurs when certain physical movements or bodily sensations trigger the perception of colors, sounds, or other sensory experiences. For instance, a person might experience specific textures, vibrations, or tastes when they move their limbs in a particular way.
What causes synesthesia?
The exact causes of synesthesia are still not fully understood, but research has identified key factors that may contribute to its development and some include;
Increased connectivity in the brain
In most people, their sensory pathways are separated and operate independently. However, in people with synesthesia, these pathways may be more interconnected, leading to the blending of senses. For example, the auditory and visual regions of the brain might be more closely linked in a person with chromesthesia, which causes them to see colours when they hear sounds. This cross-wiring allows the activation of one sensory pathway to trigger another.
Genetics
Synesthesia often runs in families, which suggests a genetic component to the condition. Studies have shown that people with synesthesia are more likely to have relatives who also experience it, indicating that it may be passed down through generations. However, it is different for everyone, so the forms passed down might not be the same.
Developmental factors
Synesthesia is believed to arise during early brain development. As the brain matures in infancy, it undergoes a process called synaptic pruning, where unnecessary connections between neurons are eliminated to create more efficient pathways. Some scientists believe that in people with synesthesia, this pruning process may be incomplete, leaving extra connections between different sensory areas.
Neurological differences
Synesthesia has been linked to certain neurological differences that affect how the brain processes information. Synesthetes tend to have heightened activity in regions of the brain involved in sensory processing and perception. For example, functional MRI (fMRI) studies have shown that synesthetes activate multiple areas of the brain when experiencing synesthetic responses, unlike non-synesthetes who only activate one sensory region.
Drug-induced synesthesia
In some cases, people can experience temporary forms of synesthesia through the use of certain drugs, particularly hallucinogens like LSD or psilocybin (magic mushrooms). These substances alter brain chemistry and can cause sensory crossovers, such as seeing colours when listening to music or tasting sounds. While drug-induced synesthesia is not the same as lifelong synesthesia, it offers insights into how the brain can mix sensory information.
How people experience synesthesia
For those with synesthesia, their experience is often natural and automatic. They don’t have to think about the associations; they simply happen. A person with grapheme-colour synesthesia doesn’t consciously decide that the letter “B” is blue—it just is.
The sensory experiences of synesthetes tend to be consistent over time. If the letter “A” is red today, it will still be red years later. This consistency is one of the key features that has been used to identify synesthesia. Interestingly, many synesthetes don’t realise that their experiences are unusual. They might assume that everyone tastes strawberries when they hear the word “love” or sees a splash of purple when they listen to jazz music. It’s often not until they discuss their experiences with others that they realise they perceive the world differently.
The benefits of synesthesia
Enhanced memory
Synesthetes often have better memory retention due to the strong associations between different senses. For example, if someone sees colours when they read numbers, it may be easier for them to remember those numbers by visualising the colours. This can lead to superior retention in areas like mathematics, music, and language.
Increased creativity
Many artists, musicians, and writers with synesthesia say that their sensory experiences inspire their work. The blending of senses allows them to make unique connections, promoting their creative expression. A famous synesthete like the artist Wassily Kandinsky used his synesthetic experiences to influence his artistic style.
Heightened perception
Synesthetes often have a richer sensory experience of the world, where they see colours in sounds, taste words, or feel textures in music. This heightened sensory perception can make everyday experiences more vivid and enjoyable.
Problem-solving abilities
The cross-sensory connections in synesthesia may help synesthetes think in more multidimensional ways, allowing them to approach problems from unique angles. This can be a significant advantage in fields requiring abstract thinking or innovative solutions.
Challenges of synesthesia
Sensory overload
While seeing the world differently might be exciting, synesthetes may feel overwhelmed by the constant stream of sensory information. For instance, if hearing sounds also triggers vivid colours or tastes, it can be distracting or tiring, especially in loud or chaotic environments.
Difficulty focusing
The automatic and involuntary nature of synesthetic experiences can make it hard to concentrate on tasks. For example, someone with chromesthesia might struggle to focus on a conversation if they are constantly seeing colours with each word spoken.
Social isolation or misunderstanding
Since synesthesia is uncommon, those who experience it might feel misunderstood or isolated, especially if they try to explain their experiences to others who don’t share them. This can lead to frustration or a sense of being different.
Negative associations
In some cases, synesthetes may experience unpleasant sensory crossovers, such as a bitter taste associated with certain words or an uncomfortable colour linked to specific sounds. These negative associations can impact everyday life.
Impact on daily tasks
Some forms of synesthesia, like lexical-gustatory (tasting words), can make routine tasks like reading or speaking more complicated, potentially affecting performance at work or in school. While many synesthetes embrace their condition, these challenges can make it difficult to navigate certain environments or social situations.
Popular people with synesthesia
- Pharrell Williams (Musician and Producer): Pharrell has chromesthesia, where he sees colours when he hears music. He has spoken about how this experience helps him with music production and inspires his creative process.
- Kanye West (Musician and Producer): Kanye West has also mentioned experiencing chromesthesia, which plays a role in how he approaches his music. He has stated that different sounds evoke specific colours for him.
- Lorde (Singer and Songwriter): Lorde has described how synesthesia influences her music. She sees specific colours associated with different musical notes and has spoken about using this perception to shape her songs.
- Tori Amos (Singer and Songwriter): Tori Amos has synesthesia and often describes how her music is closely tied to visual experiences. She associates notes and chords with colours, which she believes enhances her songwriting.
- Wassily Kandinsky (Artist): Kandinsky, a pioneer of abstract art, had synesthesia and often described hearing music as seeing vivid colours and shapes. His synesthetic experiences deeply influenced his artistic style, especially in his use of colour and form.
Does Synesthesia have a cure?
Synesthesia does not have a cure, nor is it typically viewed as a condition that requires one.
Since synesthesia is not considered harmful or disabling, many people who experience it enjoy their unique sensory crossovers and do not seek treatment.
Research into synesthesia is still ongoing, and while no methods exist to “cure” it, synesthetes generally live normal, healthy lives without the need for medical intervention.
Do people really taste colours?
Yes, lexical-gustatory synesthesia, though rare, is a genuine phenomenon where words, sounds, or even colours can evoke specific tastes.
For example, a synesthete might say that the word “apple” tastes like cinnamon, or that the colour blue has a minty flavour. These experiences are involuntary and consistent, meaning that the same stimuli will always produce the same taste.
It’s important to note that these tastes are real for the person experiencing them, even though they don’t exist in the physical world. The brain creates these sensations, making them just as vivid and convincing as any taste triggered by food.
Is synesthesia good or bad?
Synesthesia is neither inherently good nor bad, it is simply a different way of perceiving the world.
For many synesthetes, it can enhance creativity, memory, and sensory experiences, which they view as positive. Creatives often describe synesthesia as a source of inspiration.
However, for some, it can be overwhelming or distracting, especially in situations where sensory overload occurs. Overall, synesthesia is generally considered good, and most synesthetes embrace it as a natural and unique aspect of their lives.
Conclusion
Synesthesia is a fascinating condition that challenges our understanding of the senses and the brain. For those who experience it, tasting colours, hearing shapes, or seeing music are not just abstract concepts but real, everyday occurrences.
While synesthesia might seem strange to those without it, it offers a unique glimpse into the diverse ways in which the human brain can perceive and interpret the world. As research into synesthesia continues, we may learn even more about this condition and its potential to unlock new insights into creativity, perception, and the mind itself.
So, the next time you bite into a juicy orange, take a moment to imagine what it might be like to not only taste its flavour but also to see its vibrant colour in your mind’s eye because this is not just imagination but reality for some people – proof that we all experience life differently in some ways.
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