Question

Some wonder if people with synesthesia are just being metaphorical, as many people use metaphors that cross sensory modalities. A "loud shirt" doesn't actually produce a sound, a "warm color" doesn't actually evoke a change in temperature, and "bitter cold" doesn't actually produce a taste. What does Cytowic friend say that suggests this isn't the case

Answer 1

Synesthesia is a neurological condition that an individual experience which allows her or him to perceive stimuli using a sense that is normally not associated with the stimuli. For example, people with chromesthesia, a type of synesthesia, can hear sounds when a color comes up – for example, hearing a trumpet when they see a red apple. There are various other types of synesthesia, such as seeing alphabets and at the same time seeing colors associated to them or hearing words and feeling a skin sensation with each different words said.  

Since these experiences are unique to the individual who has the condition, Cytowic’s friend should come up with a demonstration so that Cytowic can experience the same thing he does.

Answer 2

Answer: He claims that he’s not experiencing a hallucination, that he actually senses something in addition to taste.

Explanation: When describing his experiences, Michael attempts to convey that he is actually experiencing some tactile sensation. He describes it as round, spherical, and that he’s looking for something pointy. He says “I feel it like I’m actually grasping something,” and claims that it’s not a hallucination. In doing so, he directly counters the suggestion that he’s just using metaphorical language.