What Happens During A Synesthesia Test?

Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where cognitive processes overlap. For example, certain sounds may trigger specific colors, shapes, or sensations in the body. With scientific progress – such as advancements in online software tests and standardized tests – it’s becoming easier to identify synesthetic subjects.

What does the color blue sound like? Can you taste certain songs? Does the number one smell like fruit? These may seem like strange questions—unless you’re taking a test for synesthesia. People who have this unique trait may experience uncommon sensory associations like these. There are several different ways in which synesthesia can manifest, and a few different ways to test for it.

What is synesthesia?

Synesthesia is a neurological trait that enables synesthetes to experience involuntary, automatic sensory perceptions from the stimulation of a different sense. For example, an individual may perceive things such as different colors when hearing words or smells when listening to music. There are other types of synesthesia, and the nature of the condition varies among individuals. One synesthete might associate the number twelve with blue, while another could claim that the color blue tastes bitter.

Synesthesia is not a mental disorder but rather a unique neurological phenomenon that happens when sensory pathways are linked. This sensory overlap allows people to perceive life in different ways. Common types of synesthesia include: 

• Sound-color synesthesia: simultaneously seeing distinct colors with music or sounds.
• Mirror touch synesthesia: feeling the sensations another person experiences. Research suggests people with mirror touch synesthesia may have heightened empathy.
• Lexical-gustatory synesthesia: tasting words or connecting certain flavors and names

The science behind synesthetic experiences

Research suggests that an overabundance of neural connections in the brain causes synesthetic experiences (a mental health phenomenon). The connection between cognitive processes – such as sensory and memory processing – may lead one sense to trigger another. For example, seeing another person being touched may trigger a physical sensation in the body. These interactions may enhance people's memory, making it easier for them to remember details, patterns, and distinct colors.

Perception: Synesthesia is harmless

While this experience may seem peculiar to non-synesthetes, it is not considered a disorder or mental illness and generally doesn't have a negative impact on a person's functioning. The cause of synesthesia remains uncertain, though researchers believe it is more common among people with autism or those who are particularly artistic or creative. Family history may also play a role in its development. Synesthesia can emerge later in life due to psychedelic drug use or as a consequence of specific brain injuries.

Different types of synesthesia tests and sensory tests

In formal settings, researchers will use a standardized battery test – developed by a synesthesia researcher – to measure synesthetic experiences in people over time. Alternatively, via online software tests, people can take a jump start quiz to explore how their senses connect with one another. While only trained mental health professionals can provide a formal diagnosis, these online tests track a variety of data to identify synesthetic tendencies. The way people experience synesthesia varies widely. That said, it can generally be classified into two broad categories: projective and associative.

Projective synesthesia and color-based sensory tests

People who have projective synesthesia may taste, smell, feel, see, or hear certain things as a result of a stimulus that typically triggers a different sense. Some examples may include:

• Smelling fresh-cut grass when hearing a certain song
• Perceiving a number as a consistent, physical place on the body
• Seeing a bright yellow triangle hanging in the air when hearing a car horn

Another way to think about it is that people with projective synesthesia have two sensory responses when only one sense is stimulated, such as hearing colors or seeing scents. Note, however, that this is just a general classification, and that there are over 100 different manifestations of projective synesthesia. Understanding these various forms can help create more accurate synesthesia tests and assessments.

Associative synesthesia and sensory connections

In contrast to projective synesthesia, those with associative synesthesia do not physically experience the additional sensations that are linked to a sensory perception. Instead, they simply feel a strong association. For example, a person might consistently associate the number 15 with the color green, even though they don’t actually see it as green when it’s written down. To these synesthetes, there’s a connection between the stimulation and the sense that’s activated, even if it cannot be seen, felt, heard, tasted, or explained. These sensory connections are automatic and consistent, often forming early in life and remaining stable. Some examples may include:

• Consistently associating the number 15 with the color green, even though they don’t see it as green
• Finding that numbers or letters have personalities; for example, the number 7 is bossy or the letter S is shy
• Hearing a musical note and feeling it is blue

Mirror touch and other sensory variations

In mirror touch synesthesia, people may report feeling physical sensations when they observe another person being touched. Research suggests that mirror touch synesthesia is related to increased emotional intimacy. People with this form of synesthesia may experience heightened levels of sensitivity, understanding and sharing the feelings of others. Ongoing scientific progress is helping researchers understand the brain-body connection and how it contributes to memory, empathy, and emotional understanding. 

How synesthesia feels: firsthand perspectives

While uncommon, about 2% - 4% of the population experience synesthesia. People describe synesthetic experiences as automatic, consistent, and vivid, expressing that tasting words, and seeing specific colors when certain sounds are present, enriches their day-to-day life. This phenomenon can add richness to the sensory and emotional realm. However, for others, synesthetic experiences can be distracting and uncomfortable – especially in highly stimulating environments like a big city.

Types of synesthesia tests and color association quiz

Note that a synesthesia test is generally not considered to be an exact science or clinically reliable. However, they can be a helpful place to start for those who believe they may have one form or another of synesthesia.

The synesthesia battery: An online synesthesia test

The Synesthesia Battery can test for various types of synesthesia. It takes the form of an online questionnaire with about 80 questions, depending on your answers as you go. The test is fairly simple and can be completed in about 15 minutes. The questions are mostly sliding-scale or multiple-choice, and you’ll need to register with the website in order to get your results. 

Grapheme color consistency test: Exploring types of synesthesia

This test is for the most common form of synesthesia, which is where a person experiences or associates colors with numbers or letters. The grapheme-color synesthesia consistency test can take different forms, ranging from a simple, five-minute, 20-question quiz to a lengthy and detailed questionnaire that could take you up to an hour to complete. The questions mainly relate to what colors you perceive when you see certain numbers or letters. You’ll be shown a number or letter, and you can move the indicator to make its color match how you see or experience it. This test’s accuracy relies on consistency, as true synesthetes demonstrate stable color associations over time.

Color consistency test: A synesthesia quiz for accurate assessment

Another measure that may help you discover whether you have synesthesia is a consistency test. It’s a computerized test that shows the participant all 26 letters of the alphabet and the numbers zero through nine next to a palette of 13 colors. Similar to the grapheme-color consistency test discussed above, the participant will be asked to choose the color they associate with each letter and number. They’ll do this three times, with the choices randomly disarranged each time. This is because the associations of true synesthesia must be automatic and consistent over time.

Synesthesia testing and scientific research

In the past, synesthesia has been overlooked because it can be difficult to verify private, perceptual experiences. However, with scientific progress – such as the development of the standardized battery test – it’s easier for a synesthesia researcher to measure perception, collect data, track consistent response patterns, and understand cognitive processes. Research to analyze the consistency of responses is ongoing in cognitive neuroscience and psychology.

Taking an online synesthesia quiz

If you’re experiencing synesthetic experiences, online software tests can help you explore possible synesthetic traits. When participants start a quiz, they may notice distinct colors and shapes when exposed to certain sounds. While an online quiz does not provide a formal diagnosis, it can provide some insight and clarity into your experience. 

What happens during a synesthesia test

During a test, synesthetic subjects are asked to perform a series of tasks – such as matching certain colors with specific sounds or words. To confirm reliability, these results are checked for consistency over a period of time. When individuals describe their synesthetic experiences in detail, it helps researchers collect data and map patterns in cognitive processes. 

What to do with your synesthesia test results

Again, synesthesia is not classified as a mental health disorder, and it may cause a person few or no challenges with day-to-day functioning. If your results from any of these tests indicate you may have synesthesia and you're not experiencing any adverse effects, you can simply enjoy your unique way of viewing the world. 

However, some synesthetes may have trouble with sensory overload in highly stimulating environments. Others may even have lower self-esteem if they’re made to feel bothered when they impart their sensory perception style with non-synesthetes. If you’re facing challenges like these, it may be helpful to meet with a therapist. They can create a space where you can process your experience and your feelings about it, and they can help you build self-esteem and learn coping mechanisms for sensory overload.

Online therapy can help with synesthesia and related brain processing challenges

Research suggests that both in-person and online therapy can offer similar benefits to clients in most cases. If you’d prefer to meet with someone in a physical office, you can search for a provider in your area. If you’d prefer to meet with someone virtually from the comfort of your own home, you might consider an online therapy platform like BetterHelp. You can get matched with a licensed therapist who you can meet with via phone, video call, and/or online chat to discuss the issues you may be facing.