Synesthesia: When Your Senses Dance

Vanessa Wood
2 hours ago
9 min read

Woman watching colours dance around her.

This is the second in a series of three explorations into the nuanced landscape of human perception. In our first post, we delved into what it truly means to be a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP)—a journey of recognising and honouring a finely tuned energetic signature. Now, we turn our attention to another profound aspect of sensory experience: synesthesia.

As someone who navigates the world as an HSP, a synesthete, and someone with electro-sensitivity, I’ve come to understand that our unique sensory and energetic experiences are not flaws, but profound gateways to deeper awareness.

In this post, we'll explore the fascinating world of synesthesia—a phenomenon where senses intertwine, creating a vibrant, multi-dimensional tapestry of perception. My hope is that by sharing these insights, others who recognise themselves in these words will know they are not alone, and that their deep perception is a powerful gift waiting to be integrated.

What is Synesthesia? A Symphony of the Senses

Imagine hearing a piece of music and seeing colours swirl before your eyes. Or tasting a word as if it were a flavour. Or feeling a texture when you hear a sound. This is synesthesia—a neurological phenomenon where stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.

The word "synesthesia" comes from the Greek words "syn" (together) and "aesthesis" (sensation), literally meaning "sensing together" or "merging of the senses". It's not a metaphor or a poetic association; it's a genuine, involuntary sensory experience. For a synesthete, the senses don't just inform each other—they merge, creating a rich, multi-layered reality.

There are many different types of synesthesia, depending on which senses or cognitive pathways are linked. Some of the most common include:

Grapheme-colour synesthesia: Seeing colours when you read letters or numbers.
Sound-colour synesthesia: Hearing sounds and seeing colours.
Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: Tasting words or names.
Auditory-tactile synesthesia: Feeling a sensation on your body when you hear certain sounds.
Spatial sequence synesthesia: Seeing numbers, days of the week, or months of the year as occupying specific locations in space.

It's estimated that between 2% and 4% of the population experiences some form of synesthesia. It's often present from birth or early childhood and tends to run in families, suggesting a genetic component.

The Neurological Dance: What Science Says

While the experience of synesthesia is deeply personal, neuroscience offers insights into its underlying mechanisms. The prevailing theory suggests that synesthesia arises from cross-activation between brain regions that are normally separate.

In a non-synesthete, the visual cortex processes sight, the auditory cortex processes sound, and so on. In a synesthete, there may be unusual or enhanced connectivity between these sensory areas. For example, in grapheme-colour synesthesia, the brain region responsible for processing letters and numbers (the fusiform gyrus*) may be hyper-connected to the colour-processing region (V4)**. When a letter is seen, it automatically triggers activity in the colour region, leading to the experience of seeing a colour.

This cross-activation is thought to be due to:

Reduced synaptic pruning: During brain development, many synaptic connections are formed, and then some are "pruned" away. In synesthetes, some of these cross-modal connections may not be pruned, remaining active into adulthood.
Genetic predisposition: Research suggests that synesthesia has a genetic basis, with multiple genes likely involved.
Early learning: Some theories propose that early sensory experiences and associations (like learning letters with coloured blocks) may contribute to the formation of synesthetic links in genetically predisposed individuals.

Functional MRI (fMRI) studies have shown that when synesthetes experience their merged sensations, there is indeed simultaneous activation in multiple sensory cortices. For example, when a grapheme-colour synesthete sees a letter, both the visual word form area and the colour-processing area show increased activity.

It's also important to note that synesthetic experiences are automatic, involuntary, and consistent. The colour a synesthete sees for a particular letter or sound will typically remain the same over time. This consistency is a key feature that distinguishes true synesthesia from metaphor or imagination.

*The fusiform gyrus is a large brain structure on the bottom of the temporal and occipital lobes. It helps with high-level vision, face recognition, object reading, and word processing.

**Visual area V4 is a major region in the ventral stream of the visual cortex located in the lingual and fusiform gyri of the occipital lobe. It plays a critical role in processing colour vision, colour constancy, and geometric shapes.

What Does Synesthesia Feel Like? A Multi-Dimensional Reality

For those who don't experience it, synesthesia can be hard to imagine. But for a synesthete, it's simply the way the world is—a rich, multi-dimensional tapestry where senses are not separate, but interwoven.

Here are some common descriptions of what synesthesia can feel like:

Seeing Sound: Music might appear as waves of colour, flowing and shifting with melody and rhythm. Different instruments or notes might have their own distinct hues or shapes. A loud noise might flash as a bright, jagged line, while a soft melody might drift as a gentle cloud.
Tasting Words: Words can have distinct flavours or textures. The name "Robert" might taste like toast, while "Mary" might feel like velvet on the tongue. This can be both fascinating and sometimes overwhelming, especially in conversations.
Feeling Numbers: Numbers or days of the week might evoke tactile sensations—a rough texture for "four," a smooth coolness for "seven."
Spatial Sequences: Days, months, or numbers might exist in a specific spatial arrangement—a circle, a line, a spiral. You might "see" the year laid out in front of you, or feel where "Wednesday" sits in relation to "Tuesday" and "Thursday."
Coloured Letters and Numbers: Each letter or number has its own unique colour. "A" might always be red, "B" blue, "C" green. This can make reading a vibrant, colourful experience, but also sometimes distracting if the colours are too intense.

The experience is often described as immersive and vivid, adding a layer of depth and richness to everyday life. It's not "seeing things" in a hallucinatory way; it's a perceptual overlay—a constant, involuntary sensory companion.

Empathy and Synesthesia: Sensing the Colours of Energy

For as long as I can remember, I have been a sound-colour synesthete. But often sound gives me so much more than just colours, I get patterns, textures, and even whole images along with it. It's no wonder I worked on so many music videos in my filmmaking career!

Now days synesthesia occurs regularly when I'm working with clients during a energy therapy session, because I'm in a more empathetic state - which amplifies synesthetic experiences.

A typical example is when I'm using my tuning forks to locate and clear a client's energy blockages. The tuning forks reveal how far the vibrational energy moves through biofield or physical body, indicating through light, colour, pattern and texture where energy blockages are located. As I continue to clear the energy blockage the colour of the sound becomes lighter, brighter and more vibrant and the pattern and texture more uniform and smooth. The way I see it, this is the tuning forks reflecting or echoing the coherence status of the client's energy field back to me.

This empathic-synesthetic fusion deepens my understanding of my client's inner landscape and is amazing to experience, but it also means I must carefully manage my sensory boundaries to prevent overwhelm.

The Gifts and Challenges of Synesthesia: A Double-Edged Sword

Like any unique trait, synesthesia comes with both profound benefits and distinct challenges. Understanding both sides is key to integrating it as a strength.

The Gifts of Synesthesia:

Enhanced Memory: The multi-sensory nature of synesthesia can act as a powerful memory aid. For example, a grapheme-colour synesthete might remember a phone number by its colour pattern, or a musician might recall a melody by its visual shape.
Increased Creativity: The cross-modal connections in the brain can foster unique and innovative ways of thinking, leading to heightened creativity in art, music, writing, and problem-solving. Many synesthetes are drawn to creative fields.
Deeper Sensory Appreciation: Life becomes a richer, more vibrant experience. The world is alive with interconnected sensations, making everyday moments more profound and engaging.
Unique Insights: The ability to perceive information through multiple sensory channels can lead to novel perspectives and a deeper understanding of patterns and relationships.
Intuitive Understanding: For some, synesthesia can enhance intuitive abilities, allowing them to "feel" or "see" the underlying structures of concepts or emotions.

The Challenges of Synesthesia:

While the highs can be deeply enriching, the lows can present significant challenges, impacting daily life and well-being:

Sensory Overload: Just like HSPs, synesthetes can easily become overwhelmed by too much sensory input. A noisy environment might not just be loud—it might also be a chaotic explosion of colours, textures, and tastes, leading to fatigue, anxiety, or irritability.
Difficulty Explaining: It can be challenging to explain synesthesia to others who don't experience it. People may dismiss it as imagination or metaphor, leading to feelings of isolation or misunderstanding.
Distraction: The constant influx of merged sensations can sometimes be distracting, making it hard to focus on a single task, especially in stimulating environments.
Emotional Intensity: For some, synesthetic experiences can amplify emotional responses. A sad song might not just sound melancholic—it might also feel cold and grey, deepening the emotional impact.
Misinterpretation: In some cases, the merged sensations can be confusing or lead to misinterpretations, especially if the synesthetic experience is unpleasant or unexpected.

Famous Synesthetes: A Tapestry of Talent

Synesthesia has been linked to a remarkable array of creative and intellectual talents throughout history. Many prominent musicians, artists, writers, and inventors have openly shared their synesthetic experiences, demonstrating how this unique perception can fuel genius.

Here are some well-known synesthetes:

Lorde: The New Zealand singer-songwriter has spoken about her synesthesia, where she sees colours and shapes associated with sounds and emotions. This contributes to the evocative and poetic nature of her lyrics and melodies.
Billie Eilish: The young pop sensation also reports sound-colour synesthesia, stating that every song she writes has a specific colour and texture. This sensory fusion is evident in her atmospheric and emotionally rich music.
Pharrell Williams: The acclaimed producer and musician has described seeing colours and shapes when he hears music, a form of sound-colour synesthesia that likely plays a role in his eclectic and vibrant musical creations.
Kanye West: The Grammy-winning musician has described experiencing sound-colour synesthesia, where he sees music as colours and shapes. This likely influences his innovative production and artistic vision.
Stevie Wonder: The legendary blind musician experiences a form of synesthesia where he associates sounds with colours and textures. This cross-modal perception may have contributed to his extraordinary musical intuition and expressive range.
Duke Ellington: The iconic jazz composer and pianist reportedly associated musical keys with specific colours, a form of sound-colour synesthesia that influenced his rich harmonic palette and innovative compositions.
Nicola Tesla: The visionary inventor and electrical engineer is said to have experienced a form of synesthesia where he saw flashes of light and geometric shapes when thinking or hearing certain sounds. This visual-auditory link may have aided his ability to conceptualise complex electrical systems.
Wassily Kandinsky: The pioneering abstract artist was a prominent synesthete, experiencing sound-colour synesthesia. He believed that colors and shapes had spiritual and emotional resonances, and his art sought to translate musical and emotional experiences into visual forms.

These examples illustrate that synesthesia is not a barrier to success or creativity; it is often a catalyst. Their ability to perceive the world through multiple sensory lenses has allowed them to create art, music, and inventions that resonate deeply with others.

Navigating Synesthesia: Practical Strategies for Every Body

Living with synesthesia is about learning to manage your unique sensory field, not suppress it. Here are practical strategies to help you thrive:

Know Your Type: Understand which senses are linked for you. Is it sound-colour, grapheme-colour, lexical-gustatory, or something else? Awareness helps you anticipate and manage experiences.
Create Sensory Boundaries: Just like HSPs, synesthetes can benefit from insulating themselves from overwhelming stimuli. Use noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, or a quiet environment when you need to focus or decompress.
Embrace Your Creativity: Synesthesia is a powerful tool for artistic expression. Explore ways to translate your merged sensations into art, music, writing, or other creative outlets.
Practice Grounding Techniques: Deep breathing, meditation, or spending time in nature can help stabilise your sensory field when it feels chaotic or overwhelming.
Educate Others: Gently explain your synesthetic experiences to trusted friends, family, or colleagues. Understanding can reduce feelings of isolation and foster support.
Seek Community: Connect with other synesthetes online or in person. Sharing experiences can validate your perception and offer new insights.
Cultivate Self-Compassion: Your synesthesia is a unique gift. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, and remember that your way of perceiving the world is valid and valuable.

Conclusion: Your Senses Are a Symphony

Being a synesthete means your senses are not separate—they dance together, creating a rich, multi-dimensional tapestry of perception. While this can bring both profound beauty and distinct challenges, it is ultimately a powerful gift.

Your synesthesia is not a burden to be hidden, but a unique energetic signature to be understood and integrated. By learning to manage your sensory field, you can transform overwhelm into wisdom, and merged perception into profound creativity and insight.

Every Body is unique, and your synesthesia is a vital part of the tapestry of consciousness. Embrace it, honour it, and let it guide you toward a life of coherence, compassion, and deep joy.

Thank you for reading 'Synesthesia: When Your Senses Dance.' Are you a synesthete too? I'd love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts about life is like as a synesthete in the comments.