Inner Cosmos with David Eagleman Ep110 "Is consciousness related to quantum physics?" (with Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff)
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Jun 30, 2025 
Join mathematical physicist Roger Penrose, 2020 Nobel Prize winner, and anesthesiologist Stuart Hameroff as they probe the mysterious ties between consciousness and quantum physics. They discuss whether consciousness could precede biology, explore the potential role of microtubules in brain function, and examine the implications of quantum coherence for decision-making and free will. This engaging conversation challenges listeners to rethink traditional neuroscience models and consider how quantum mechanics might reshape our understanding of awareness.
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Quantum Mechanics and Consciousness
- Quantum mechanics describe indeterminacy and superposition at the smallest scales.
- Collapse of the wave function upon observation might be linked to conscious experience.
Hameroff's Microtubule Discovery
- Stuart Hameroff became fascinated by microtubules inside brain cells while studying cell division.
- He considered microtubules as more than just structural elements, but potential quantum processors.
Microtubules and Quantum Coherence
- Microtubules act as tiny tubes with symmetrical, complex geometry, potentially supporting quantum coherence.
- Their structure might enable preservation of quantum states against environmental collapse.
