The University of Edinburgh
(American spelling: synesthesia) comes from
the Greek 'syn' (together) + 'aesthesis'
(perception), and describes a joining together
of sensations that are normally experienced
separately. Synaesthetes might experience
colours or tastes when they read words or hear
sounds, while others may experience any
combination of tastes, smells, shapes, colours
or touches. People are generally born with
synaesthesia and it runs in families. The
sensations are automatic and cannot be turned
off, but synaesthesia is not considered to be
harmful. Most synaesthetes enjoy their
sensations and could not imagine life any
other way! Synaesthesia is not the same as
simple metaphor, which all people do (e.g.,
saying that anger is red) and is more than
simply the artistic sensitivity to colours.
Our research at the University
of Edinburgh, in the UK, aims to understand
the inheritance, prevalence and underling
psychological mechanisms of synaesthesia.
Studying synaesthesia may help us to
understand how the brain combines different
types of information. Our website is designed
to help you discover more about synaesthesia,
and to invite you to take part in our
research. We hope you will find it useful. If
you would like to tell us about your
synaesthesia, you can click
here to take part in our research.