What Does Seeing Numbers In Color Mean?

If you see letters and numbers as colors, you may wonder what’s behind this phenomenon, how to manage it, or whether or not it’s potentially harmful. This article aims to provide a possible explanation for this experience, as well as other considerations to keep in mind if you experience colored letters or numbers. 

Why am I seeing numbers in color?

Synesthesia is a condition in which the stimulation of a certain sense (for example, hearing, taste, or sight) results in a simultaneous response from an unrelated sense. For instance, synesthetic perceptions might include being able to “smell” colors, “see” sounds, or “taste” words. Those with synesthesia may sometimes be referred to as “synesthetes.”

If you perceive specific colors in response to numbers, you may have a form of synesthesia known as grapheme-color synesthesia. Those with grapheme-color synesthesia associate symbols such as numbers and letters (known as “graphemes”) with specific colors.

The synesthetic colors involved in this form of synesthesia may be physically visible to the synesthete or perceived within the mind. 

Various other synesthetic experiences have been identified, each involving different sensory modalities, with some estimates suggesting there may be dozens of potential forms of synesthesia. Alongside grapheme-color synesthesia, other forms of the condition may include, but are not limited to: 

Auditory tactile synesthesia

Auditory tactile synesthesia causes certain sounds to be associated with certain physical sensations. 

Lexical gustatory synesthesia

This form of synesthesia creates a connection between specific words and the perception of particular tastes. 

Ordinal-linguistic personification

For those with ordinal-linguistic personification, certain ordered concepts, such as the numbers one through ten, or the days of the week, are each given specific personality traits or genders. 

Sound-to-color synesthesia

Sound-to-color synesthetes report that they experience specific colors in response to specific sounds, such as certain musical instruments or tones. 

Mirror-touch synesthesia

For those with mirror-touch synesthesia, seeing someone else experiencing a physical sensation also produces the same sensation in the observer.

The above are all examples of different forms of synesthetic perception, but it may be worth remembering that there is a wide range of forms of synesthesia, which may manifest differently for other people. 

Synesthesia explained: Causes and diagnosis

Research is ongoing into the possible cognitive neuroscience behind synesthesia, with some theories suggesting that it may be due to increased communication between different subregions of the brain. 

Genetics has been suggested as a potential primary cause of synesthesia. A 2018 study published in the journal PNAS suggests that there may be a possible association between certain forms of synesthesia and genetic variants that affect neuronal connections.

That said, it may also be possible to develop synesthesia in other ways, such as in the aftermath of a traumatic brain injury, or temporarily, through the use of psychoactive substances such as hallucinogens, cannabis, or caffeine. 

There is no single, standardized “synesthesia test” for diagnosing synesthesia. However, a mental health practitioner or a doctor may be able to narrow down a diagnosis by asking questions about one’s sensory experiences, their consistency and timing, and the types of sensations that trigger them. 

Synesthesia is generally not considered harmful, and it is not considered a mental illness or mental health condition. However, if you are experiencing symptoms of grapheme-color synesthesia or another form of synesthesia and are concerned about the causes, you may consider contacting your healthcare provider for more insight.

Can synesthesia be treated?

No treatments for synesthesia have been identified, as it is generally recognized as a harmless condition. Some synesthetes may even enjoy the unique perceptions it causes. That said, although synesthesia may be considered physically harmless, it may have the potential to cause distress among individuals whose sensory perceptions are uncomfortable. 

For example, a person with mirror-touch synesthesia might be able to experience others’ pain, or a person with lexical-gustatory synesthesia might perceive unpleasant tastes in response to certain words. In these cases, various resources are available that may help synesthetes respond to their perceptions constructively and tend to their mental health and well-being. 

Therapy may be a helpful resource for those interested in learning how to manage distressing sensory experiences. In particular, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been studied for its potential to help those with chronic pain. A 2022 study published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine, suggests that cognitive behavioral therapy may help reduce how severely pain impacts someone’s life.

Traditional therapy may not always be easily attainable. For those without insurance or whose insurance does not cover it, in-person therapy may cost as much as $200 per session, while those with busy schedules may find it challenging to commute to a therapist’s office in person. In these cases, online therapy through platforms such as BetterHelp may be a potential alternative, offering the option to attend therapy from wherever is most convenient, with prices range from $65 to $100 per week (based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply) to have sessions with a qualified therapist.

While there is currently no evidence that proves the effectiveness of online therapy for people with synesthesia, a variety of studies indicate that online therapy may be effective for numerous conditions. One study from 2017 found that internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy was an effective treatment for a wide range of conditions, including chronic pain, which may make it an appealing option for those who would like support in managing synesthesia-related sensations.