Hameroff revives quantum consciousness theory: aromatic amino acids form a 'Quantum Underground'
JosephJacks_ · x · 2026-09-07
Consciousness researcher Stuart Hameroff shared his 2016 book chapter "The 'Quantum Underground': Where Life and Consciousness Originate" (with Travis Craddock and Jack Tuszynski), arguing consciousness arises from π-electron resonance rings of aromatic amino acids (tryptophan, phenylalanine, tyrosine) in microtubular tubulin, which couple into mesoscopic and macroscopic quantum states — supported by anesthetic action via the Meyer-Overton correlation. He criticizes neuroinfluencers for dumbing down neuroscience to accommodate AI. A quoted post notes the oddity of AI consciousness research: detecting a phenomenon we can't even locate in ourselves.
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