Synesthesia is a neurological condition in which stimulation of one sense automatically triggers an experience in another sense. In other words, people with synesthesia may “see” sounds, “taste” words, or “hear” colors. It’s not an illness or disorder, it’s just a different way of perceiving the world.

How it works:

The brain has specialized areas for processing each of the senses (such as sight, sound, and taste). In people with synesthesia, these areas are more connected or cross-wired than in the average brain. For example:

• When they hear a musical note, they may see a specific color.
• Numbers or letters might appear in specific colors, even though they’re printed in black.
• Some people associate personalities or genders with numbers or days of the week.

There are many types of synesthesia, including:

• Grapheme-color synesthesia: associating letters or numbers with specific colors.
• Chromesthesia: hearing sounds and automatically seeing them as colors.
• Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: certain words or names trigger specific taste sensations.
• Spatial-sequence synesthesia: seeing numerical sequences (like months or years) in specific spatial arrangements.

Should Synesthesia be treated?

Synesthesia is not something that needs to be “treated”; instead, it can be embraced as a unique and enriching part of someone’s identity. Many synesthetes say it enhances their creativity, memory, and emotional connection to the world. For those who experience it, understanding and accepting their perceptions can lead to a deeper appreciation for art, music, and everyday experiences. Rather than seeing it as strange or confusing, people can learn to work with their synesthesia, using it to inspire creative projects, aid in learning, or simply enjoy life through a more vivid and multi-sensory lens. Sharing experiences with others or connecting with fellow synesthetes can also help normalize it and turn it into a source of pride rather than a source of secrecy.

Famous People with Synesthesia:

Here are a few well-known individuals who have publicly spoken about having synesthesia:

Pharrell Williams – The music producer and artist has chromesthesia; he sees colors when he hears music, which he says influences how he creates songs.

Kanye West – He’s described seeing music in shapes and colors, which he uses in his visual design work and performances.

Billy Joel – The legendary singer-songwriter sees musical notes and keys in specific colors, which he says helps him compose.

Lorde – The singer has said that she sees colors when she hears certain chords or notes, and she uses that to shape the mood of her albums.

Vladimir Nabokov – The author of Lolita had grapheme-color synesthesia and described letters in colors in his writings.

Billie Eilish – The Grammy-winning artist has spoken about experiencing synesthesia, describing how she associates songs with specific colors, shapes, and textures.

Vincent van Gogh – While not confirmed during his lifetime, many researchers and historians believe the famous painter may have had synesthesia, as his writings and artwork suggest a blending of visual and emotional experiences.