Synesthetes: a handbook by Sean A. Day i © 2016 Sean A. Day All pictures and diagrams used in this publication are either in public domain or are the property of Sean A. Day ii Dedications To the following: Susanne Michaela Wiesner Midori Ming-Mei Cameo Myrdene Anderson and subscribers to the Synesthesia List, past and present iii Table of Contents Chapter 1: Introduction – What is synesthesia? ................................................... 1 Definition......................................................................................................... 1 The Synesthesia ListSM .................................................................................... 3 What causes synesthesia? ................................................................................ 4 What are the characteristics of synesthesia? .................................................... 6 On synesthesia being “abnormal” and ineffable ............................................ 11 Chapter 2: What is the full range of possibilities of types of synesthesia? ........ 13 How many different types of synesthesia are there? ..................................... 13 Can synesthesia be two-way? ........................................................................ 22 What is the ratio of synesthetes to non-synesthetes? ..................................... 22 What is the age of onset for congenital synesthesia? ..................................... 23 Chapter 3: From graphemes ............................................................................... 25 Grapheme color ........................................................................................ 25 Color grapheme ........................................................................................ 34 Grapheme personification.............................................................................. 35 Grapheme texture ..................................................................................... 37 Examples ....................................................................................................... 37 Braille systems .............................................................................................. 42 Causation ....................................................................................................... 43 Are there trends?............................................................................................ 47 Are synesthetes prone to math problems? ..................................................... 49 Illiteracy......................................................................................................... 55 Other types .................................................................................................... 55 Chapter 4: From language and ideas .................................................................. 57 Lexeme color ............................................................................................ 58 Lexeme flavor, and phoneme flavor .................................................... 58 Lexeme odor ............................................................................................. 60 Lexeme touch ........................................................................................... 61 iv Number forms ................................................................................................61 Time color .................................................................................................62 Time unit personification ...............................................................................63 Number forms, time-lines, and math ..............................................................64 Ticker tape ......................................................................................................65 Other types .....................................................................................................67 Chapter 5: From music .......................................................................................69 What types of music X synesthesia are there?...........................................72 Causation ........................................................................................................77 Music flavor ..............................................................................................77 Music odor.................................................................................................78 Other types .....................................................................................................79 Projection of music visual synesthesia: an example ..................................79 Composers and Musicians mistaken for being synesthetes ............................81 Chapter 6: From sounds ......................................................................................85 Sound color ...............................................................................................85 Sound flavor ..............................................................................................87 Other types .....................................................................................................87 Chapter 7: From flavors and odors .....................................................................89 Flavor color ...............................................................................................90 Flavor sound ..............................................................................................93 Flavor touch...............................................................................................93 Odor color .................................................................................................93 Other types .....................................................................................................94 Chapter 8: From touch, pain, and related senses ................................................95 Orgasm colors ...........................................................................................95 Orgasm flavor ............................................................................................96 Pain colors .................................................................................................96 Touch flavor ..............................................................................................96 Other types .....................................................................................................97 Chapter 9: From visual cues ...............................................................................99 “Auras” ...........................................................................................................99 Vision flavor ............................................................................................100 v Vision sound ........................................................................................... 101 Mirror touch ................................................................................................ 101 Other types .................................................................................................. 102 Chapter 10: Things affecting synesthesia (attrition and enhancement) ............ 103 Can one lose congenital synesthesia? .......................................................... 103 What drugs effect congenital synesthesia, and how?................................... 105 Hormones and other factors affecting synesthesia ...................................... 111 Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and synesthesia ......................................... 111 Chapter 11: Some questions regarding synesthesia ......................................... 113 Are synesthetes more creative? ................................................................... 113 Can I learn to have synesthesia? .................................................................. 114 Does synesthesia improve memory? ........................................................... 114 But aren’t people taught synesthetic paradigms as part of their culture? .... 114 Do cats or dogs have synesthesia? ............................................................... 115 Synesthesia and problems with sleep .......................................................... 116 Synesthetes, ghosts, and angels ................................................................... 116 Is synesthesia a sign of evolutionary advancement?.................................... 117 Resources: ........................................................................................................ 121 On-line tests for synesthesia: ....................................................................... 121 Organizations: ............................................................................................. 121 Websites providing forums and information: .............................................. 121 Facebook groups:......................................................................................... 122 Bibliography .................................................................................................... 123 Index ................................................................................................................ 139 vi Chapter 1: Introduction – What is synesthesia? “I see a voice; now will I to the chink, To spy and I can hear my Thisby’s face” (Pyramus, in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, V.i., by William Shakespeare (1975 (1595))