How does your name taste? The strange science of synaesthesia | Health
Title: Synaesthesia: A Unique Insight into Perception and Experience
In an ongoing series featuring individuals with extraordinary perspectives shaped by their unique professions or experiences, we explore the insights of Constantina Makridakis, a 28-year-old jewelry designer from Greece.
Makridakis experienced an unusual ability during her childhood, one she believed was shared by everyone: the ability to taste voices and names. Her father’s name, Nicholas, tasted like caramel-covered chocolate, while her mother’s name, Maria, reminded her of pasta with prawns. She recalled that the taste of the name Paul was particularly satisfying, likening it to rich chocolate liqueur.
“As a child, I thought everyone had this ability,” Makridakis said. “It seemed natural to me. We talk from our mouths, so it made sense that we could also taste names and voices.” It wasn’t until her late teens—and after a conversation with her sister Amelia, whose name tasted sweet to her—that Makridakis learned about synaesthesia, a perceptual phenomenon where sensory experiences trigger additional sensations.
Synaesthesia Experiences
The manifestations of synaesthesia can vary significantly among individuals. For example, American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish perceives days of the week as colors, along with shapes and numbers. Similarly, Hungarian composer Franz Liszt is believed to have experienced musical notes as colors, famously confusing members of the Weimar orchestra by requesting performances in specific hues.
Janina Neufeld, a researcher at the Centre of Neurodevelopmental Disorders at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, notes that while non-synesthetes might find Makridakis’s experiences surprising, many can relate to sensory associations. “When we listen to music, most people can relate to the idea that sounds could be brighter, smaller, or higher up in space. This is, to some extent, what a synesthete perceives,” Neufeld explained.
Research estimates suggest that 2 to 4 percent of the world’s population may experience some form of synaesthesia, although the actual figure could be higher, as many individuals remain unaware of their condition. Neufeld herself experiences a milder version known as spatial sequence synaesthesia. She demonstrated this by tracing a circle in the air, which she imagines represents a full year, with various months placed differently along the circle.
Neurological Insights
The precise neurological mechanisms of synaesthesia are still under investigation. One prominent theory posits that individuals with synaesthesia may undergo less synaptic pruning during childhood, allowing for more cross-sensory connections to persist. Neufeld, who has conducted research on Makridakis’s case, highlighted that synesthetes show increased brain activation and more interaction between sensory regions.
For Makridakis, synaesthesia can sometimes be overwhelming. Distractions arise when watching films, as certain actors’ voices trigger specific tastes. She has noted that when in the United States, the accent evokes a craving for Coca-Cola due to its association with the taste of the beverage.
Voices also elicit unique flavors; for instance, US President Donald Trump’s voice tastes like melted cheddar cheese, while actor Daniel Radcliffe’s is reminiscent of chocolate milk, and rapper Eminem’s voice has a taste similar to Cheetos.
A Deeper Understanding of Perception
Despite the occasional distractions, Makridakis remains captivated by her sensory experiences and advocates for further exploration of synaesthesia to enhance our understanding of the human mind. She sometimes contemplates the spiritual dimensions of her perceptions; for example, she sees a dark green halo surrounding her sister.
Ultimately, Makridakis emphasizes the fundamental differences in human perception. “We should always remember that everyone’s mind is completely different. We may use the same words to describe a color, but we might see different things,” she said.
Neufeld concurs, stating that synaesthesia illustrates the complexity of sensory experiences. “It shows that our internal associations can be rich and varied, demonstrating how differently we actually perceive the world,” she noted.
As this series continues, we invite readers to consider the perspectives of those who perceive reality in ways that diverge from the typical, reminding us of the richness and diversity of human experience.
