Synesthesia, otherwise known as “feeling together,” is a neurological condition where stimulation of one sensory pathway leads to a sensation in another pathway. For example, people with synesthesia may see colors when they hear certain sounds, or taste flavors when they see certain shapes. Synesthesia has been studied since the 19th century, and is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Synesthesia is estimated to affect one in every 2,000 people, and can appear in a variety of forms. The most common type of synesthesia is grapheme-color synesthesia, where people see letters or numbers as having particular colors. Other forms of synesthesia include sound-color synesthesia, taste-shape synesthesia, and tactile-emotion synesthesia. Synesthetes often report that their synesthesia is involuntary and automatic, and is not under conscious control.
The cause of synesthesia is still unclear, but is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Studies of twins and families suggest a strong genetic component, and recent studies have found evidence that genetic mutations may play a role. Other studies have suggested that synesthesia may be a result of differences in how the brain is wired, with some pathways becoming more strongly connected than others.
Synesthesia has been found to have a number of positive effects. Synesthetes often report enhanced creativity, improved memory, and more vivid experiences of the senses. Studies have found that synesthetes may have enhanced abilities in tasks such as pattern recognition and memory recall.
Synesthesia is a fascinating neurological condition that has been studied for centuries. It is a complex phenomenon that is likely driven by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Further research into synesthesia will help us to better understand the role of genes and brain wiring in this condition.
References
Day, S., & Maurer, D. (2013). The puzzle of synesthesia: Intersections between genetics, brain wiring, and experience. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 17(1), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2012.10.011
Rouw, R., & Scholte, H. S. (2007). Increased functional connectivity in grapheme-color synesthesia. Neuroimage, 36(4), 1077–1085. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2007.03.072
Asher, J. E., & Gottfried, A. W. (2010). Synesthesia: A unique window into perception, cognition, and language. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 14(8), 431–438. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2010.06.004
Ward, J., & Simner, J. (2003). Synaesthesia: The prevalence of atypical cross-modal experiences. Perception, 32(10), 1171–1180. https://doi.org/10.1068/p5060