Have you heard people say "feel the music"??
You probably should have heard of people who associate sounds or shapes to figures.

^{_{Some synesthetes feel sound on their body. (Photo Credit: Kristen Stacy/flickr)}}
Do you remember Daniel Tammet the guy called "the brainman" who solved mathematical problems in seconds and remember a whole lot of shit most books won't remember. Lol
You may want to watch this short video to remember.

He is referred to as Autistic Savant and was the subject of a documentary film titled Extraordinary People: The Boy with the Incredible Brain

Well my post today is not Daniel Tammet or mathematicians but on a set of persons who see life differently.

These persons see the world differently and might see letter "A" as red, see letter "N" as blue, "S" as pink "Y, E and H" as different shades of green. So also numbers like "3, 6 and 9" might be associated with several shades of red. Sound too could be sensed as color or even the taste a particular flavor (say valina or chocolate). And music can be seen as colourful or even felt. (now remember the saying "feel the music" yea?)

^{_{Some synesthetes associate colors to letters.}
(Photo Credit: Mysid/Wikimedia Commons)}
I believe at this point you are racking your brain already. You want to know how you perceive things. If the sound of your phone's beep tastes like orange or the letter "A" is black. Haha😂
Well with all that being said, let's take a quick dive into synesthesia.

Definition.

The word "synesthesia" comes from two Greek words syn and aisthesis with are being interpreted as together and perception respectively.
Judging from the meaning of these words, I won't be wrong to say synesthesia means "perceiving together" or "joined perception".

Wikipedia describes it as....

a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive pathway.
People who report a lifelong history of such experiences are known as synesthetes.

Personal, I will define synesthesia as a condition in which stimulation of one sense activates another unrelated sense at almost the same time or a condition where one sense interfere with another/other senses._^@nwambe

Yes I know the word "condition" as used in my definition sounds disturbing. I will like to clear the air on that.

Please note. Synesthesia is not a mental illness and in fact is not in anyway related to any form of disease and you definitely don't need a doctor for any form of medications.

Synesthesia is in fact a gift because many persons with synesthesia have reported their experience as being pleasant and natural. So consider yourself gifted if after reading this you discover you have synesthesia.

How does synesthesia work?

This question alone gives birth to a lot more questions and in fact most persons sense confusion thinking about it alone.
Although this subject has become a popular field of study for researchers we still don't know all about synesthesia. Let me share my findings on this subject with you.

Firstly, it is worthy of note to know that this condition tends to be somewhat inherited or genetic related. Most synesthetes have a relative or two who have similar condition of joined perception. Many synesthetes can't attach a date to when they first discovered this condition. Most persons only recall synesthesia as long as they can remember mostly at an infant age.

^{_{Synesthetic number form. Richard E. Cytowic, from Cytowic & Eagleman (2009).}(Photo Credit: CytowicCreative Commons)}
When a sense is activated, it triggers another sense or senses thereby resulting into multiple sensation which is then referred to as synesthesia. Let's see what scientists have to say

The Science.

Synesthesia is said to occur in two ways.

• Genetics
• Acquired synesthesia.

Genetics: Research have proven that genetics is an integral factor in synesthesia and has been confirmed and as a family trend. In a family where synesthesia is found a few other persons would posses some traits. They may see life differently from the other relative who have synesthesia too but they certainly see the world much differently from the way most of us do. Genetic factor also explains why people with form of synesthesia mostly exhibits another form of synesthesia.

The outer cortical surface with proposed regions involved
in the neural substrates of grapheme–color synesthesia.
(Photo Credit: Chiou R and Rich AN/Creative Commons)

Acquired synesthesia: this refers to a condition where are a person who isn't born into a family with synesthesia gene suddenly begin to exhibit a form of synesthesia aftrrvan event in life. This may be subject divided into,

• Drug induced synesthesia,
• Injury induced synesthesia,
• Learned synesthesia.

Yes synesthesia can be learnt though you won't be as good as real born synesthetes, you can still feel some traits if you keep up with a good meditation routine.

synesthesia can likewise occur during stages of meditation, deep concentration, sensory deprivation, and even, in some cases, marijuana. - Cytowic and Eagleman

Types of synesthesia.

Since we have established the fact that synesthesia can involve any combination of senses, it is only logical to conclude that there could be as many as 60 - 70 forms/types of synesthesia.
I will be listing a few common ones below.

If you are interested in knowing other types please feel free to visit this page. You may find out you are actually gifted.

Benefits of synesthesia.

Did I just say benefits? Yes I just did and in fact synesthesia have real good benefits. Tell me you are not feeling jealous already. Reading this post alone would make some persons feel bad about themselves, you can imagine the ease of remembering all you read and just pour them out when you want. Now let's talk about benefits.

It's benefits includes and are not limited to,

• Synesthetic experiences and awareness in daily life!
• Cognitive advantages (memory, creativity, learning language)
• Body & sensory Awareness (be more aware of yourself and your surrounding)
• Self Awareness (relationship with yourself and others)
• Regulation of emotion (less Stress, less anxiety, more balance, better sleep)
• Regulation of attention (be in the here and now)
• Physical health benefits (less stress related illnesses, increased longevity)
  There are many benefits! Did you know that mindfulness meditation has the potential to change your DNA. It could potentially contribute for a longer life!

^Source
Crazy stuff! You may think.

You can learn more about synesthesia by following eaglesman. Below is wan of his videos on the subject.

Final note.

As said earlier, synesthesia is joint perception, seeing the world with blended senses. This condition is a gift and not a cause or associated to a disease in any form and can be genetic or acquired.
The benefits of interacting with the world is mind blowing and can only be explained by experience but sadly most of us don't have to have synesthesia or probably don't know about it yet.

connect with your sense and become aware of synesthesia. It is a investment in your mind and your overall life quality.

Disclaimer

Though insight about the advantages of synesthesia are being uncovered with time, the science of synesthesia, memories and cognitive advantage are still in its infancy.

Reference.

• What is synesthesia and what's it like to have it?

• Neuroscience for kids - synesthesia.

• Synesthesia

• What is Synesthesia

• What Is Synesthesia? And Are You Aware Of Your Synesthetic Abilities?

• Benefits of Synesthesia Mediation – increase your life quality!

• Synesthesia PSYCHOLOGY

• Why Synesthesia Occurs

• How Synesthesia Works

• Types of Synesthesia – Blend All Your Senses

• Causes of Synesthesia

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