Sound → Smell
rareSound → Smell Synesthesia is a rare type of synesthesia. Certain sounds trigger olfactory experiences, causing the synesthete to smell specific scents in response to audio stimuli.
- Inducer
- sound
- Concurrent
- smell
- Category
- Auditory Olfactory
What is Sound → Smell Synesthesia?
Sound-smell synesthesia causes certain sounds to trigger olfactory experiences. A trumpet blast might evoke the smell of cinnamon, while a whispered voice could trigger the scent of rain. The smells are phantom perceptions, consistent over time. This rare form involves cross-activation between the auditory cortex and the olfactory cortex.
Research on Sound → Smell Synesthesia
Speed, L.J. & Majid, A. (2020). Grounding language in the neglected senses of touch, taste, and smell. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 37(5-6).
View publication →Cytowic, R.E. (2002). Synesthesia: A Union of the Senses. MIT Press.