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Hearing colors, tasting words: What is synesthesia?

Portrait of a man and neon projection of abstract lines on his face. (Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images)
Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images
Portrait of a man and neon projection of abstract lines on his face. (Tatiana Maksimova/Getty Images)

Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon derived from Greek for a “union of the senses.” That means people who have it can see time, hear colors or even taste words.

Dr. Mary Spiller, a cognitive psychologist and a senior lecturer at the University of East London, joins host Indira Lakshmanan to discuss her research into synesthesia, which she has herself.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.

Copyright 2026 WBUR

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