Types of synesthesia

There have been hundreds of types and subtypes of synesthesia identified throughout the years; here are but a few.

Type of synesthesia grapheme-colour sound-to-colour (chromesthesia)

Senses/ effects

certain letters of the alphabet or numbers are seen as specific colours certain sounds are seen as shapes or different colours lexical-gustatory certain words/sounds cause different tastes spatial sequence sequence-personality seeing sequences as points in space or in the mind’s eye (e.g., months, dates, or time) ordered sequences (e.g., ordinal numbers, letters of the alphabet) associated with personalities or genders mirror-touch feeling the same sensation that another person feels (e.g., touch)

How can we “practise” synesthesia?

Mental exercises that stimulate your brain can help reduce anxiety and depression, improve cognition, and increase quality of life. Activating your brain in fresh ways can generate new neurons. This stimulation helps you stay sharp and decreases the risk of some cognitive diseases.

Practising synesthesia isn’t just a brain exercise but a powerful way to experience the present moment. You’re more engaged in the physical environment and more attuned to your bodily sensations and intuition. You may even be less distracted by anxieties and other painful thoughts.

“Synesthesia is actually a normal brain function in every one of us, but its workings reach consciousness in only a handful,” writes Dr. Richard Cytowic, author of The Man Who Tasted Shapes.

In one study, blindfolded volunteers “saw” a touch, sound, or word even though their eyes were covered. Their primary visual cortex responded despite having no external stimuli, which meant their brain changed to adapt to the environment. Other exercises, such as reading in colour, have also been found to activate synesthetic traits.

Try associating things you normally wouldn’t, such as “hearing” fragrances or “tasting” voices. If you meditate—a practice that enhances perceptual sensitivity—allow unexpected sensations to arise. Experienced meditators report seeing visual images, colours, and light during deep meditation.

“Each of us—synesthetic or not—experiences the world in a way nobody else does,” says Duffy. “Our brain pattern for processing information is as unique as a fingerprint. It’s great to become more aware of how we see the world in our own unique way.”

5 Ways To Practise Synesthesia In Daily Life

1. Smell the sunshine, hear the raspberries.

2. Eat at a “blind dining” restaurant.

3. Change the text colour when you’re writing or reading email.

4. Pretend you’re playing the piano while typing on your keyboard.

5. Taste bright colours when you hear lively music; float in cotton when you hear sad songs.

How to choose the best product for you

Cannabis and CBD are gaining recognition as herbal healers with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiepileptic (seizure prevention), anticancer, and antibacterial properties. But where should you start when you’re ready to try it out? Read on for actionable tips you can use to make informed decisions.

WORDS | Carimé Lane

Cannabis, hemp, CBD—what do they all mean?

Cannabis is the umbrella term for marijuana and hemp. Generally speaking, marijuana is a variety of cannabis plant containing higher THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) than CBD (cannabidiol) levels, while hemp is a higherCBD variety of cannabis plant.

CBD is an active compound found in the cannabis plant. CBD can be used for its healing powers without producing a high or intoxicating effect.

In Canada, cannabis became legal in 2018 under the Cannabis Act. Under the Act, both cannabis and CBD are strictly regulated. Because both cannabis and CBD are sold in many different places, some unregulated, you may be skeptical about purchasing either one—and for good reason.

Be cautious when buying

The products being sold as CBD are many. And, as with consumables of any kind, buyers should be diligent about learning about the product they’re buying. Some synthetic products falsely labelled as CBD have been shown to cause both nausea and seizures.

Online safety

When shopping for cannabis or CBD online, you’ll want to protect your health, keep financial information secure, and ensure you’re purchasing from legal sources. Buying legal cannabis in Canada ensures you’ll be consuming a safe product. To legally sell cannabis, retailers need to meet strict rules set by their provincial/territorial governments.

Legally sold cannabis products are emblazoned with a Canada excise stamp. According to Public Safety Canada, this stamp guarantees that “the product is produced according to the highest health and safety standards, reflects accurate THC levels, and is free from other substances that could cause serious harm.”

Jacob Stevens, founder of Purpose Moose Cannabis, says customers of all ages visit his three Ontario stores. Stevens recommends keeping two things in mind when shopping for cannabis in store:

1. You should know what you’re looking for, in terms of sensation. A budtender/educator can help steer you to the right strain from there. Legally, they can’t dole out health advice, but they can tell you what they’ve found to work.

2. Stevens advises knowing how you want to consume it, whether through smoking, vaping, capsule, tincture, oil, or edible.

“Find a place where you feel comfortable speaking to a budtender, and have all of your questions answered,” advises Stevens. “If not, maybe find a better person to speak to or go to another store.”

Hempseed Oil Contains Amazing Health Benefits

Although hemp and cannabis derive from the same plant family, Cannabis sativa L., they’re not created equal. Seeds from the hemp plant do not contain a significant amount of THC or CBD. But hempseeds offer a nutritious bonus: they’re loaded with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fatty acids (linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and gammalinolenic) as well as an optimal ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids.