Because of the study's small size -- the researchers tested just ten synesthetes, though in a sense the number is incredible, as only one such case was previously documented -- the findings are primarily important in terms of physiology. Mirror system activity was observed in the lone earlier synesthete, and the current findings back up the association between the feelings and the system: if the same system was responsible for the sensation, it would ostensibly be difficult to distinguish between real and mirror touches.

The researchers also noted that mirror synesthetes had higher levels of empathy than a control group in the study, though connecting such findings to a general empathic mechanism requires, at this stage in the research, a leap of faith. But it's probably not too soon to say, as one of the study's authors did, that "This may be an exaggeration of a brain mechanism that we all possess to some degree."

I feel those I have just had a communication with, either online or offline, everything that happens to them voluntarily or otherwise.

This is a very interesting clip Einbar. It's the power of empathy to a certain degree don't you think?

Any man who ever watched another man get his jewels racked and doubled over with "sympathetic pain" has experienced this phenomenon.

I don't know how this would fit in but, years ago I was on my way to class when I saw a person sitting at a bus stop. His pant leg had pulled up almost to his knee, from just below his knee his leg was missing. The stump was raw and red looking. By the time I got to school my leg in the same place where his was missing hurt so bad I could hardly walk.