When we listen to music, we evoke a wide range of emotions within ourselves. Whether it be the lyrics of a song or the beats of the music, we connect with the music and feel all types of emotions. Whether they are emotions of sadness or feelings of joy, music is more to us than just an auditory sensation. But imagine if music is more than that, instead of just emotions, you find yourself stuck in a world full of vivid colors, like a kaleidoscope changing constantly due to each note, beat, and chord within a song. People who experience music through colors like that have the neurological phenomenon called chromesthesia, which allows them to constantly see vibrant colors in their minds whenever they hear a tune.
Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where one sensory pathway triggers the experiences of another, which offers a unique interconnectedness between the senses. Amongst its various forms, one of the most common forms of synesthesia is chromesthesia, where different sounds evoke a different vivid color in someone’s mind. For individuals with chromesthesia, listening to music isn’t just an auditory experience but a very visual one. Each note, chord, and melody create different colors, shapes, and patterns in their mind, and every time the music changes, these colors, shapes, and patterns change as well. These synthetic experiences are deeply personal, with each person associating specific sounds with distinct colors, textures, and intensities that they have no control over.
Chromesthesia is estimated to affect approximately 1–2% of the population, but it is very common to people with synthetic experience. However, due to the individualized nature of chromesthesia, it is very hard to accurately determine its prevalence. Research indicates that both genetic and environmental factors influence chromesthesia. Family studies have shown a higher prevalence among relatives of synesthetes, while environmental factors, such as early exposure to music or language, also play a significant role. There are many neuroimaging studies that reveal there is an increased connectivity between auditory and visual brain regions in individuals with chromesthesia. This connectedness is based on a theory called the cross-activation theory of synesthesia. This theory suggests that synesthetic experiences arise from increased communication between different brain regions, suggesting a remarkable cross-modal integration of sensory information. According to this theory, people with synthesis have a sensory input in one modality (e.g., hearing a sound) that automatically triggers another modality (e.g., seeing colors). This cross-activation is thought to occur due to atypical neural connections between sensory areas of the brain, causing the stimulation of one sensory pathway to spill over into another. This theory suggests that synesthesia arises from the brain’s inherent flexibility and ability to create novel connections between sensory pathways, leading to the blending or merging of sensory experiences.
In conclusion, chromesthesia, a form of synesthesia where sounds evoke vivid colors, shapes, and patterns, offers a unique glimpse into the interconnectedness of our senses. For individuals with chromesthesia, music isn’t just heard but also seen, creating a rich multisensory experience. While it affects an estimated 1-2% of the population, its prevalence is difficult to accurately determine due to its highly individualized nature. Both genetic predispositions and environmental factors, such as early exposure to music or language, contribute to the development of chromesthesia. Neuroimaging studies suggest that chromesthesia arises from increased connectivity between auditory and visual brain regions, supporting the cross-activation theory of synesthesia. This theory proposes that synesthetic experiences emerge from atypical neural connections, allowing sensory input in one modality to trigger experiences in another. Chromesthesia showcases the remarkable flexibility and complexity of the human brain in integrating sensory information, offering a fascinating window into the wonders of perception and cognition.
References:
Chromesthesia Music visualizer (PC). realovirtual.com. (n.d.). https://www.realovirtual.com/rovdb/juegos/11997/chromesthesia-music-visualizer
Dring, D. (2017, November 9). Chromesthesia: Hearing and seeing sound in colour: Beardedgmusic. Bearded Gentlemen Music. https://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2017/11/09/chromesthesia-seeing-sound-in-colour/
Hubbard, Edward M., et al. “Individual differences among grapheme-color synesthetes: brain-behavior correlations.” Neuron 45.6 (2005): 975-985.
Makhlin, J. (2014). Chromesthesia as phenomenon: emotional colors.
Simner, J., & Hubbard, E. M. (2006). Variants of synesthesia interact in cognitive tasks: Evidence for implicit associations and late connectivity in cross-talk theories. Neuroscience, 143(3), 805-814.
