New Study Reveals Differences in Dream Content for People with Synesthesia
A recent large-scale study conducted by the Center for Organizational Dreaming has found that individuals with synesthesia, a condition in which senses are automatically blended, experience dreams differently compared to those without the condition. The study, published in Consciousness and Cognition, is one of the first to explore how differences in waking perception may manifest in dream content.
Through an AI-enabled analysis of 2,337 dream reports, the study found that synesthetes tend to describe dreams with more emotional intensity and varied settings. These settings include shifting cultural landscapes and dramatic fictional scenarios. The analysis also revealed that synesthetes often have more charged interpersonal situations, imaginative environments, and conflict-driven plotlines in their dreams.
These findings are consistent with what is already known about synesthesia in waking life. Individuals with this condition are often more open to new experiences, have stronger associative memory, and engage more with fantasy and imagery. The new evidence suggests that these traits continue to influence individuals during sleep, with dream content reflecting their enduring cognitive style rather than just daily residue or random imagery.
By using AI-enabled semantic analysis, the study was able to compare dream reports from both synesthetes and non-synesthetes. This approach allowed for a more spontaneous and unbiased examination of their experiences. The results suggest that dreams may preserve personality-linked ways of thinking.
The study adds to the growing evidence that dream content reflects meaningful psychological traits. By analyzing large amounts of data, researchers can detect subtle differences between groups without relying on traditional methods such as interviews or lab studies. This approach opens up new possibilities for studying how individual differences influence people’s thoughts and experiences in both waking and sleeping life.
The full research article, “Synesthesia is associated with distinctive patterns in dream content,” can be found in Consciousness and Cognition. For press inquiries and media requests, please contact the Center for Organizational Dreaming.
