What It's Like To Live with Synesthesia...

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Medically reviewed by Smita Patel, DOMedically reviewed by Smita Patel, DOSynesthesia is a neurodevelopmental (brain-related) condition that occurs when one of your senses causes an activation of another sense at the same time. For example, this may cause you to see colors, taste sounds, or feel smells—among other combinations of sensory crossovers. While more research on synesthesia is still needed, experts estimate that up to 13% of the population may live with the condition.Synesthesia is considered a non-pathological phenomenon, meaning that the condition does not have life-altering risks or life-threatening complications. It's just an alternative way for some people to experience the world. However, synesthesia can affect each person differently, as studies show that there are currently 60 known types of synesthesia.Types and Symptoms of SynesthesiaThere are several types of synesthesia, and each type is defined by the merged senses that you're perceiving. Here are some examples of the most common ones:Graphene-color synesthesia: Seeing colors when you read, hear, or think about letters or numbersSound-to-color synesthesia: Seeing colors or shapes when you hear sounds or musicLexical-gustatory synesthesia: Being able to taste wordsSound-gustatory synesthesia: Being able to taste soundsTime unit color synesthesia: Associating units of time (hours, days, months, etc.) with specific colorsMirror-touch synesthesia: Feeling a physical sensation after observing someone else have the same sensation (e.g., scratching your head because someone else did)However, there are several other types of synesthesia, and people can have just one type or multiple types at the same time. Each type of synesthesia elicits its own symptoms, and these symptoms tend to be lifelong. However, some people acquire synesthesia later on in life, which is known as late-onset synesthesia.What Causes Synesthesia?The causes of synesthesia are currently unknown, and more research is needed. However, experts theorize that hyperconnectivity in the brain, genetics, and learning development may play a role.Brain HyperconnectivityThe hyperconnectivity hypothesis suggests that people with synesthesia have excessive neuronal connections between different brain regions. Imaging studies revealed that people with graphene-color synesthesia have a higher rate of connectivity in white matter, the part of the brain tissue made up of nerve fibers. Nerve fibers are the parts of the neuron that send signals throughout the brain.Hyperconnectivity in the brain could result from weak neuronal pruning (removal) during development. Early on in development, the nervous system makes an excess of neuronal connections. As the brain develops during early childhood, excess neuronal connections are removed (or pruned) to select the connections that are most important and avoid hypersensitivity.This hypothesis suggests that the merging of sensory responses results from overactive neuronal signaling and overstimulation in the brain due to a lack of proper neuronal pruning.GeneticsResearch suggests synesthesia runs in families. People with a family history of synesthesia are 40% more likely to have synesthesia symptoms in their lifetime.One study showed that various genes could be involved in the development of synesthesia. Six genetic mutations were found in a study of three families whose members experienced sound-to-color synesthesia. These genes were involved in the growth of axons in neurons. Axons are the part of the neuron that sends signals to other neurons.The six genes, COL4A1, ITGA2, MYO10, ROBO3, SLC9A6, and SLIT2, are expressed during early childhood, a time when synesthesia symptoms first often develop.LearningSome researchers suggest that symptoms of synesthesia are leftover associations that your brain makes when learning during childhood. Children are often presented with concepts during infancy in creative ways to facilitate the learning process. Colors and shapes are often used to teach counting and numbers. Children are also often taught words and letters with music and shapes.The learning theory suggests that people with symptoms of synesthesia are recalling these experiences of early childhood learning.DiagnosisThe diagnosis of synesthesia is challenging since the symptoms depend on what a person perceives. Most synesthesia studies rely on people self-reporting their symptoms.A test known as the consistency test is the method most often used to diagnose synesthesia. In this test, you may be asked to describe the color or smell you associate with a specific stimulus several times over weeks or months. For example, you might be shown a set of words and asked to describe the color you associate with each of them. Over time, people with synesthesia will respond consistently, while those without synesthesia will not.While the consistency test has been used previously to test for synesthesia, it has not been approved by any governing body in the United States. Currently, no approved method of diagnosis exists, and research is still needed to understand whether a diagnosis is necessary and what diagnostic process works most effectively.TreatmentSynesthesia is considered a non-pathological condition, which doesn't require treatment because it doesn't significantly affect your health over time. Think of this condition as a way of experiencing life from a different perspective.However, in some cases, people who live with both synesthesia and autism have reported feeling discomfort due to sensory overload caused by synesthesia symptoms.If you are experiencing discomfort due to synesthesia and autism symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Your healthcare provider can help you learn strategies or prescribe medications that can help you manage sensory overload and any feelings of discomfort or overwhelm.Related ConditionsMultiple studies have linked synesthesia with autism. Studies suggest that synesthesia and autism might have shared genetic mutations, which can cause certain traits like heightened perceptions and hypersensitivity. However, other conditions that may be related to synesthesia include:Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)SchizophreniaPost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)Living With SynesthesiaPeople with synesthesia live normal lives, and there aren't any known complications of living with synesthesia. In case studies, some people have anecdotally reported experiencing discomfort when living with synesthesia symptoms due to sensory overload. If you have synesthesia (or think you do) and are experiencing sensory overload, talk to your healthcare provider to learn how you can manage the overstimulation.However, many people with synesthesia consider it a positive aspect of their life experience, and research agrees. In fact, synesthesia has been associated with heightened creativity, increased visual capabilities, and more empathy—all of which may improve your quality of life.Frequently Asked Questions

How rare is synesthesia?

Synesthesia occurs in up to 13% of the population, but this number is just an estimate as experts believe there are likely more people who live with the condition.

What are examples of synesthesia?

Some examples of synesthesia include seeing shapes when reading numbers, visualizing colors when listening to music, and tasting words. However, these are just some examples, and experts know of at least 60 types of synesthesia.

Is synesthesia a mental health condition?

Synesthesia is not a mental health condition and doesn't usually need treatment unless your symptoms are causing sensory overload or overstimulation.

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