Exploring the Neural Connections Between Synesthesia and Psychedelic Experiences

My art is often described as psychedelic in nature, but it reflects the vibrant, interconnected sensory experiences of synesthesia. Synesthesia is a neurological phenomenon where stimulation in one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second, unstimulated pathway. For me, sound consistently evokes internal projections of vibrant visuals, people and objects tend to give off glimmering waves of light. Certain drugs, particularly hallucinogens like LSD, psilocybin (magic mushrooms), mescaline and DMT, can temporarily induce synesthesia-like experiences. 

The similarities between synesthesia and psychedelic experiences point to potential shared neural mechanisms. Aldous Huxley, in The Doors of Perception, famously described the brain as a "reducing valve," filtering out extraneous information to prevent sensory overload. Both synesthesia and psychedelic experiences seem to bypass this valve, allowing a flood of sensory data to reach conscious awareness. This allows for the blending of senses observed in both phenomena.

Two primary models explain how synesthesia manifests in the brain: the 5-HT2A receptor and GABAergic mechanisms. The 5-HT2A receptor, activated by psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, plays a crucial role in sensory integration, suggesting that cross-sensory experiences in synesthesia may involve the same pathways. On the other hand, GABA, the brain’s primary inhibitory neurotransmitter, usually prevents sensory overlap. Reduced GABAergic inhibition in synesthetes and during psychedelic experiences may allow for the merging of sensory modalities.

For neuroscientists and psychedelic researchers, enhancing our understanding how synesthesia and psychedelics impact sensory integration could offer valuable insights into how the brain constructs reality, contributing to the broader study of perception and conciousness. 

Sources:

• Huxley, A. (1954). The Doors of Perception.
• Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Nutt, D. J. (2017). Serotonin and brain function: A tale of two receptors. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31(9), 1091-1120.
• Brogaard, B. (2013). The Superhuman Mind: Freeing the Genius in Your Brain.