How do you know
if you are conscious?
The brain does not generate consciousness. It receives and filters it. Quantum effects in microtubules provide the interface. Here is the evidence.
The Core Claims
1. Consciousness is not generated by the brain
The brain filters and structures consciousness, it doesn't create it. This explains why less brain activity (psychedelics, terminal lucidity) can produce more intense experience.
2. Quantum effects provide the interface
Electron superposition in tryptophan residues within microtubules, shielded by protein structure. OR collapse provides a non-deterministic selection mechanism.
3. Thermodynamic amplification scales the effect
The brain operates at criticality. 10% hub bias produces 60% network shift. Small quantum effects become macroscopic behavior.
4. Layer 5 pyramidal neurons are the site
L5p neurons span cortical thickness, binding top-down predictions with bottom-up sensation. Anesthesia works by decoupling their apical-basal integration.
Key Evidence
Xenon isotope effect — Nuclear spin affects anesthetic potency by ~20%. Same chemistry, different quantum property, different effect on consciousness. (Li et al. 2018)
Microtubule-stabilizers delay anesthesia — Proves microtubules are involved in consciousness mechanism. (Bhatt et al. 2024)
Tryptophan superradiance at body temperature — Warm quantum biology is measured, not hypothetical. (Babcock et al. 2024)
L5p decoupling = unconsciousness — Anesthesia specifically decouples apical from basal compartments in Layer 5 pyramidal neurons. (Suzuki & Larkum 2020)
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