How to Get Synesthesia: Encouraging Cross-Sensory Connections

Some people naturally experience synesthesia, a condition where stimulation of one sense involuntarily triggers another, such as seeing colors when hearing music. While often innate, research suggests certain strategies may help individuals cultivate cross-sensory associations even without being born with synesthesia.

Role Of Cross-Modal Interactions In The Brain

The brain is an intricate network where different sensory modalities continuously interact. Cross-modal interactions occur when information from one sense influences another, playing a key role in perception, learning, and cognition. Studies using functional MRI (fMRI) and electroencephalography (EEG) reveal that sensory cortices are not strictly dedicated to a single sense but exhibit plasticity that allows for multisensory integration. For instance, the auditory cortex can respond to visual stimuli, and the visual cortex can process tactile information in individuals who are blind. This interconnectivity suggests the brain is inherently wired for cross-sensory communication, even in those without synesthesia.

Certain brain regions are particularly involved in cross-modal processing. The superior colliculus integrates visual, auditory, and somatosensory inputs to enhance spatial awareness and reaction times. The posterior parietal cortex aligns sensory information from different modalities, aiding coordinated movement and perception. The superior temporal sulcus (STS) is crucial for audiovisual integration, with studies showing that increased connectivity between the STS and sensory cortices correlates with stronger cross-modal associations.

Genetic and developmental factors also influence these interactions. Research suggests synesthesia has a hereditary component, with specific gene variants linked to increased connectivity between sensory areas. A study in Neuron found that synesthetes exhibit greater structural connectivity in the fusiform gyrus and intraparietal sulcus, regions associated with visual processing and attention. However, even in those without synesthesia, cross-modal plasticity is evident. For example, musicians often develop strong associations between sound and touch due to training that reinforces links between auditory and motor systems. This suggests experience and repeated exposure to multisensory stimuli can enhance cross-modal interactions over time.

Approaches To Encourage Synesthetic-Like Experiences

While synesthesia is typically innate, certain techniques may help individuals develop cross-sensory associations. These methods involve structured exposure to multisensory stimuli, reinforcing connections between different sensory modalities through repetition and cognitive engagement.

Matching Colors With Letters Or Numbers

Grapheme-color synesthesia, where individuals associate specific colors with letters or numbers, is one of the most common forms of synesthesia. To encourage similar associations, individuals can engage in exercises that repeatedly pair colors with alphanumeric characters. Flashcards where each letter or number is consistently presented in a specific color can reinforce these connections. Digital tools like the Synesthesia Battery allow users to practice and test color associations. Writing or typing in color-coded formats—such as assigning a unique hue to each letter—can further strengthen these links. Research suggests repeated exposure to such pairings enhances memory and cognitive processing. While these associations may not become involuntary, they can still create a heightened awareness of cross-sensory relationships.

Pairing Sounds With Visual Shapes

Another approach involves linking auditory stimuli with visual patterns, as seen in sound-shape synesthesia, where certain sounds evoke geometric forms. To cultivate this association, individuals can engage in exercises that pair musical notes or spoken phonemes with distinct shapes. The “Bouba-Kiki” effect demonstrates that people naturally associate rounded shapes with soft sounds and jagged shapes with sharp, abrupt sounds. Reinforcing these pairings—such as drawing shapes while listening to corresponding sounds or using visualization techniques while hearing music—can strengthen cross-modal perception. Some studies show that repeated exposure to paired stimuli enhances perceptual connections. Music visualization software, which translates sound frequencies into dynamic visual patterns, can also reinforce these associations.

Integrating Tastes With Musical Tones

A less common but intriguing form of synesthesia involves linking taste sensations with auditory stimuli, where specific flavors evoke distinct musical notes or timbres. To explore this connection, individuals can experiment with structured taste-sound pairings, such as associating sweet flavors with high-pitched tones and bitter flavors with lower frequencies. Research suggests cross-modal correspondences between taste and sound are not entirely arbitrary. A study in Psychological Science found that people often match sour tastes with higher-pitched sounds and umami flavors with deeper tones. Mindful eating while listening to curated soundscapes can reinforce these associations. Some chefs and musicians have collaborated to create multisensory dining experiences where specific musical compositions enhance certain flavors. By consciously attending to these pairings, individuals may develop a stronger awareness of the interplay between taste and sound.

Neuroplastic Adaptations In Adulthood

The adult brain, once thought to be relatively rigid, is now recognized for its ability to reorganize in response to experience. Neuroplasticity, the brain’s capacity to adapt through structural and functional modifications, plays a significant role in shaping perception and cognition well into adulthood. While early development provides an optimal window for sensory integration, research shows the adult brain remains capable of forming new cross-modal associations through targeted training and repeated exposure to multisensory stimuli. This adaptability is facilitated by synaptogenesis, dendritic remodeling, and neurotransmitter activity, all of which refine sensory networks.

One of the most compelling demonstrations of neuroplasticity in adults comes from sensory substitution studies, where individuals learn to interpret information from one sensory modality using another. For example, blind individuals trained to use auditory cues for spatial navigation exhibit increased activity in the occipital cortex, a region traditionally dedicated to visual processing. This repurposing of neural pathways highlights the brain’s ability to rewire itself. Similarly, experiments where non-synesthetic adults undergo prolonged exposure to consistent cross-modal pairings—such as associating specific colors with sounds—show these associations can become more automatic over time. Functional imaging studies suggest these learned connections involve strengthened communication between sensory cortices.

Evidence from language acquisition and musical training further supports the persistence of neuroplasticity in adulthood. Adults learning a second language often develop stronger auditory-visual associations, particularly when exposed to written and spoken forms simultaneously. Musicians, especially those trained in absolute pitch, demonstrate enhanced connectivity between auditory and motor regions, allowing them to associate specific sounds with precise finger movements. These examples illustrate how repeated exposure to structured sensory pairings can lead to long-term adaptations in neural processing, even beyond early childhood. The extent to which such changes become ingrained depends on factors like frequency of exposure, attentional engagement, and individual variability in neural plasticity.