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| Electromagnetic theories of consciousness | 3/3 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electromagnetic_theories_of_consciousness | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T03:09:13.245915+00:00 | kb-cron |
Dobson, et al. (2000): 1.8 millitesla = 18,000 mG Thomas, et al. (2007): 400 microtesla = 4000 milligauss Huesser, et al. (1997): 0.1 millitesla = 1000 mG Bell, et al. (2007) 0.78 Gauss = 780 mG Marino, et al. (2004): 1 Gauss = 1000 mG Carrubba, et al. (2008): 1 Gauss = 1000 mG Jacobson (1994): 5 picotesla = 0.00005 mG Sandyk (1999): Picotesla range In April 2022, the results of two related experiments at the University of Alberta and Princeton University were announced at The Science of Consciousness conference, providing further evidence to support quantum processes operating within microtubules. In a study Stuart Hameroff was part of, Jack Tuszyński of the University of Alberta demonstrated that anesthetics hasten the duration of a process called delayed luminescence, in which microtubules and tubulins re-emit trapped light. Tuszyński suspects that the phenomenon has a quantum origin, with superradiance being investigated as one possibility. In the second experiment, Gregory D. Scholes and Aarat Kalra of Princeton University used lasers to excite molecules within tubulins, causing a prolonged excitation to diffuse through microtubules further than expected, which did not occur when repeated under anesthesia. However, diffusion results have to be interpreted carefully, since even classical diffusion can be very complex due to the wide range of length scales in the fluid filled extracellular space. Nevertheless, University of Oxford quantum physicist Vlatko Vedral told that this connection with consciousness is a really long shot. In addition, the tests were performed on microtubules in tubo in a UV-Vis apparatus, with chemicals added that altered the electrical properties of the microtubules, without critical microtubule-associated proteins like ferritin that quench microtubule fluorescence, and with a number of other major substantive issues that render the tests inapplicable to neurons. Also in 2022, a group of Italian physicists conducted several experiments that failed to provide evidence in support of a gravity-related quantum collapse model of consciousness, weakening the possibility of a quantum explanation for consciousness.
== Influence on brain function == The different EM field theories disagree as to the role of the proposed conscious EM field on brain function. In McFadden's cemi field theory, as well as in Drs Fingelkurts' Brain-Mind Operational Architectonics theory, the brain's global EM field modifies the electric charges across neural membranes, and thereby influences the probability that particular neurons will fire, providing a feed-back loop that drives free will. However, in the theories of Susan Pockett and E. Roy John, there is no necessary causal link between the conscious EM field and our consciously willed actions. Subtle effects ("mag-lag") on the cognitive processes of MRI machine operators who sometimes have to go into the scanner room to check the patients and deal with issues that occur during the scan could suggest a link between magnetic fields and consciousness. Memory loss and delays in information processing have been reported, in some cases several hours after exposure. One hypothesis is that magnetic fields in the 0.5–9-tesla range can affect the ion permeability of neural membranes, in fact this could account for a lot of the issues seen as this would affect many different brain functions. It is also noted that the bioelectric and biomagnetic properties of ferritin are influenced by both magnetic and electric fields. Endogenous ferritin provides magnetic resonance imaging contrast in the substantia nigra and red nucleus, the zona incerta and the subthalamic nucleus, and other nuclei, and could provide a signaling mechanism that is modulated by magnetic fields. Endogenous ferritin also releases iron when stimulated with RF energy, which results in calcium signaling in neurons.
== Implications for artificial intelligence == If true, the theory has major implications for efforts to design consciousness into artificial intelligence machines; current microprocessor technology is designed to transmit information linearly along electrical channels, and more general electromagnetic effects are seen as a nuisance and damped out; if this theory is right, however, this is directly counterproductive to creating an artificially conscious computer, which on some versions of the theory would instead have electromagnetic fields that synchronized its outputs—or in the original version of the theory would have spatially patterned electromagnetic fields.
== See also == Orchestrated objective reduction Quantum mind Quantum neural network
== References ==
== External links == The electromagnetic field theory of consciousness, Scholarpedia Consciousness Based on Wireless?