Bennu
Every six years, an asteroid by the name of Bennu passes by Earth. Bennu is a small, loosely compacted ball of black rocks that formed nearly 4.6 billion years ago. Recently, scientists accomplished an unprecedented feat, sending a spacecraft billions of miles to the asteroid and back to collect 121.6 grams of material from Bennu for study at an Arizona State University lab. NASA tasked the OSIRIS-REx team that retrieved material from Bennu to examine it for clues to the nature and origins of life.
Bennu was found to contain molecules similar to those that might have contributed to life’s emergence. These molecules could also have formed crystalline structures that some researchers believe support consciousness.
Consciousness is quantum?
Dr. Stuart Hameroff and physicist Roger Penrose argue that consciousness is not produced by the brain but is instead an external quantum phenomenon that interacts with microtubules in living cells. They suggest that these quantum oscillations in organic molecules might have played a role in the earliest forms of conscious experience—long before life as we know it evolved.
The Bennu samples also contain amino acids, nucleobases, and other organic molecules. Scientists hope to determine if these molecules exhibit the same quantum resonance patterns found in biological systems. If so, this could suggest that the building blocks of consciousness were present long before genetic life emerged.
Reference: Popular Mechanics
Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) Theory
Hameroff teamed up with physicist Sir Roger Penrose to develop the Orch OR theory, which proposes that consciousness arises from quantum vibrations in microtubules. They argue that these quantum processes are linked to the fundamental structure of the universe, meaning consciousness isn’t just a product of brain activity—it’s deeply woven into reality itself.
As an anesthesiologist, Hameroff has also studied how anesthesia disrupts consciousness. He suggests that anesthetics work by blocking quantum vibrations in microtubules, effectively shutting down conscious experience. This supports his idea that consciousness is more than just neural computation—it’s tied to quantum mechanics.
Key Findings Supporting the Theory
Microtubule Quantum Channels – Studies suggest that anesthetics bind to hydrophobic regions in microtubules, disrupting quantum resonance patterns.
Quantum Vibrations in Brain Proteins – Research has modeled how anesthetics interfere with quantum dipole oscillations in microtubules, potentially shutting down consciousness.
Selective Action of Anesthetics – Unlike other brain functions, consciousness is uniquely affected by anesthetics, which Hameroff argues is evidence that consciousness operates at a quantum level
Key Changes in Brain Activity Under Anesthesia
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Loss of Complexity – Normally, neurons communicate in synchronized patterns at different frequencies. Under anesthesia, this complexity collapses into a more uniform, low-frequency hum.
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Suppression of Consciousness – Anesthesia interferes with the brain’s ability to integrate sensory information, effectively shutting down conscious awareness.
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Neural Slowdown – Studies show that neurons in multiple brain regions slow their firing rates by 90-95% when exposed to anesthetic agents.
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Altered Brain Waves – EEG readings reveal that anesthesia induces large, rolling waves of electrical activity, replacing the usual dynamic neural chatter.
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Disrupted Connectivity – Different brain regions lose their ability to communicate effectively, preventing the formation of coherent thoughts and experiences
Implications for Consciousness Research
I think these findings have profound implications for our understanding of consciousness. If consciousness is indeed linked to quantum processes in microtubules, it suggests that our subjective experiences are deeply rooted in the fabric of reality itself. This challenges traditional views that see consciousness as merely a byproduct of complex neural activity.
Furthermore, the effects of anesthesia on consciousness provide a unique window into its nature. By studying how anesthetics disrupt conscious experience, we may gain insights into the fundamental mechanisms that underlie awareness. This could lead to new approaches in both neuroscience and philosophy, as we seek to unravel the mysteries of consciousness and its place in the universe.
