When Synesthesia Causes Distress

Matt explores the fascinating world of synesthesia today, challenging the notion that it's a rare quirk by proposing a bold claim: in subtle ways, we are all synesthetes. This idea is powerfully demonstrated by the famous "Bouba/Kiki" test, which reveals our brain's innate tendency to connect abstract shapes and sounds. The episode argues that this fundamental cross-wiring is not a mere curiosity but the very operating system for human thought, shaping everything from our metaphors to the development of language itself.

The journey continues by exploring how these sensory perceptions can be programmed externally, as shown in a remarkable study linking synesthetes' color associations to a popular Fisher-Price toy. Matt also discusses the cognitive superpowers that can accompany synesthesia, like superior memory, and its profound connection to autism. Ultimately, the episode illuminates how everyday phrases like "feeling blue" are not just figures of speech, but echoes of the synesthetic software running in all our brains, constantly mixing senses to build our unique perception of reality.

Please note that Matt is not a medical doctor, and none of the content in this podcast should be considered medical advice in any way, shape, or form, nor prescriptive in any way.

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Matt: Instagram @drmattwalker, X @sleepdiplomat, 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCA3FB1fOtY4Vd8yqLaUvolg