The theory that quantum effects in the brain could explain consciousness may hold more weight than scientists think.
We have been puzzled by the nature of consciousness. One idea is that the laws that govern the quantum world could be behind what allows us to experience consciousness.
In the 1990s, physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff suggested that tiny microtubules, hollow tubes that form theskeletons of plant and animal cells, could allow for a breakdown in the structure of space-time.
Orchestrated objective reduction suggests that the breakdown of superpositions allows consciousness to exist.
Many scientists didn't like the idea. New Scientist says that the theory has been gaining traction recently.
A team led by Jack Tuszynski at the University ofAlberta in Canada found that anesthetic drugs allow microtubules to re-emit trapped light in a much shorter time than originally thought.
New Scientist explains that light caught inside an energy trap was re-emitted after a mysterious delay.
The delay was shortened considerably in the presence of an anesthetic. The thinking goes that the process of consciousness may be behind the delay.
Tuszynski's peers are wary of the results of the experiment because it's too early to tell if it can explain what allows us to be conscious.
The University of Oxford quantum physicist told New Scientist that it is interesting.
There is a chance that the laws of classical, not quantum, are behind the delay.
Tuszynski is intrigued by the results.
He told New Scientist that he wasn't at the level of interpreting this.
His peers seem to be interested, if nothing else.
It would be a huge thing for biology if you could claim that cell division is underpinned by some quantum effects.
The fringe theory of consciousness has been added to by quantum experiments.
Neuroscience ponders whether people remain conscious after having their heads chopped off.
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