New Theory Says Consciousness is Electromagnetic
For centuries, humans have tried to determine ‘what is consciousness?‘ How are we able to think and have free will? A new scientific theory says consciousness may be electromagnetic.
Philosophers and scientists have debated the nature of consciousness for years. Consciousness put simply, can be defined as capable of, or marked by, thought, will, design, or perception. But where does this ability come from? Inside the brain or some external force?
Johnjoe McFadden professor of molecular genetics at the University of Surrey has a new theory he calls the Consciousness Electromagnetic Information Field Theory, or CEMI Field Theory.
Watch more:
About the Author
Study Shows Consciousness May Be Product of Quantum Effect
A controversial theory on consciousness has just been tested: Could consciousness be explained by quantum effects in the brain?
A 30-year-old theory on consciousness called, “Orchestrated Objective Reduction,” posits that consciousness could live in tiny microtubules in the brain, or as New Scientist explains, “Brain microtubules are the place where gravitational instabilities in the structure of space-time break the delicate quantum superposition between particles, and this gives rise to consciousness.”
The theory was first introduced in the 1990s by physicist Roger Penrose and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff, but was believed to be untestable and was therefore regarded as a fringe theory at best.
But now, New Scientist reports the theory has just passed a key test, writing, “Experiments show that anesthetic drugs reduce how long tiny structures found in brain cells can sustain suspected quantum excitations. As an anesthetic switches consciousness on and off, the results may implicate these structures, called microtubules, as a nexus of our conscious experience.”
