Synesthesia could make sex less satisfying, according to preliminary research published October in Frontiers.
Synesthesia is a condition where one type of perceptual stimulation evokes the sensation of another. Synesthetes might see colors when listening to music or perceive letters as having specific colors.
The study included 17 women and two men who experienced synaesthetic perceptions during sexual experiences.
One participant explained that during an orgasm, “the wall bursts” and “ringlike structures” appear in “bluish–violet tones.” All of the participants said their synaesthetic perceptions were induced by emotional states.
Compared to the general population, synesthetes had a higher level of sexual functioning overall. They reported greater sexual desire, but less sexual satisfaction.
Synesthetes were also more likely to report experiencing “oceanic boundlessness” and “visionary restructuralization” during sexual intercourse. The former refers to the dissolution of ego boundaries, while the latter refers to sensory illusions and an altered sense of meaning.
The higher levels of “oceanic boundlessness” and “visionary restructuralization” in synesthetes could explain why they reported greater sexual desire, but less sexual satisfaction.
“[T]he high degree of sexual trance in synaesthetes may provoke an increased focus on sensual experiences on the inside, instead of partner-related aspects,” the researchers explained. “This explanation is supported by the results of the personal interviews in which the synaesthetes reported an isolating effect of their synaesthetic experiences, while at the same time they experienced their perceptions as enriching and pleasant for themselves.”
