People who see colors while perceiving smells are better at distinguishing between different smells and different colors, and are better at naming odors, compared to a group without synesthesia.

People who see colors while perceiving smells are better at distinguishing between different smells and different colors, and are better at naming odors, compared to a group without synesthesia. Researchers from Radboud University have found this result.

“For centuries olfaction has been considered unimportant for humans, and people in the West are poor at naming odors,” Dr Laura Speed, researcher at the Radboud University’s Centre for Language Studies, remarks. “Yet there are individuals who experience vivid color associations when they smell odors.”

Source: Better odor recognition in odour-colour synesthesia