When I had my first cataract surgery a year ago, I felt like I saw a new universe of colors in that operating room. So I think I understand the phenomenon without ever having hallucinogenic drugs. It really blew me away for a few minutes. I wonder if that’s the kind of color this woman experiences regularly. If so, quite a gift.
I remember reading a book by a photographer; if I recall correctly, he was speaking about photography becoming a ‘new way to see’.
In the discussion, he mentioned the Homer quote about a ‘wine dark sea’, and suggested that maybe some people back then didn’t see colors the same way that modern people do.
I don’t think evolution is done; and maybe there ARE people who can see colors beyond what most of us do.
I work with color and several years ago found myself frequently going outside to look at my work in sunlight in order to check the color. Then I had a cataract removed. It was remarkable the color change. In the “new” eye everything was bluer and whiter (blue is part of white) I have yet to have the second one removed. I can tell that it puts a yellow tint on everything, so now instead of going outside, I close one eye.