Source: “Quantum Physics in Consciousness Studies”, By Dirk K. F. Meijer and Simon Raggett, A Review/Literature compilation: The Quantum Mind Extended
6. Stuart Hameroff- Quantum coherence in brain tubules.pdf
The topic explores the Orch OR theory proposed by Stuart Hameroff and Roger Penrose, which suggests that human consciousness is not merely a product of synaptic connections, but emerges from quantum processing within microtubules inside brain neurons. Challenging the mainstream view of "classical functionalism," the text explains how quantum coherence can survive the brain's warm environment through protective biological mechanisms, allowing these structures to function as quantum bits or "qubits." This model posits that consciousness occurs when these quantum states undergo a physical collapse called objective reduction, a process linked to the fundamental geometry of space-time and reflected in the gamma synchrony of brain waves. Ultimately, the text argues that recent empirical evidence, including the effects of anesthesia on microtubules and discoveries of warm-temperature quantum vibrations, supports a vision of the mind that is deeply integrated with the universal laws of physics.
Quantum Gravity and Consciousness.pdf
How_Microtubules_Create_Quantum_Consciousness.m4a
For decades, the dominant scientific view has treated the brain like an incredibly complex biological computer. This perspective, known as 'classical functionalism', suggests that consciousness is simply the product of intricate calculations happening between neurons. In this model, functionalism takes no account of what the brain is made of or of anything finer grained than the level of neuron-to-neuron connections. In theory, you could replicate consciousness in silicon chips if you just copied the brain's wiring diagram.
However, anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff and Nobel laureate physicist Sir Roger Penrose propose a more radical and profound alternative. Their Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) theory argues that while neuron-to-neuron communication is vital, it doesn't tell the whole story. They propose that consciousness is not a computation but a physical process that arises from a deeper, finer-scale quantum level inside the neurons themselves.