Brain science: Smelling Light

Franken-mice are being altered to be able to sense light with their noses. Too hard to believe?

Anyone who has ever experienced synesthesia -- the curious experience of, for example, tasting sound or feeling flavor -- will know it's already possible with certain parts of the brain affecting other parts. Synesthetes are not all on acid (LSD). Although their pineal glands may be producing extra DMT. Many artists, musicians, and artistic/slightly autistic individuals experience it constantly, and it seems to help them.

Researchers known as octogenetics experts from Harvard University and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory conducted the vivisection (experimentation on living beings). They installed light sensitive proteins in the genome of mice, altering their olfactory systems: Hear all about it in under 90 seconds on the Loh Down on Science.