Can you taste words or see music? The science of synaesthesia explained.
In short: Cognitive psychologist Mary Jane Spiller explores synaesthesia, a condition where senses blend unexpectedly. This talk examines how our brain processes perception, memory, and attention, revealing why some people experience the world through overlapping sensory channels.
While most people perceive sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell as distinct experiences, synaesthesia demonstrates that our senses can interact in complex, integrated ways. This phenomenon, where individuals might taste specific words or perceive colours when listening to music, provides a unique window into the mechanics of the human brain.
Filmed at the Royal Institution on November 3, 2025, the discussion highlights how synaesthesia informs our broader understanding of perception and the vivid nature of our inner experiences. By studying this rare condition, researchers gain insights into the fundamental processes of attention and memory that shape how we all interpret the world.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Hearing smell and tasting words: The science of synaesthesia - with Mary Jane Spiller
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