About this Video

• Video Title: Brain Really Uses Quantum Effects, New Study Finds
• Channel: Sabine Hossenfelder
• Speakers: Sabine Hossenfelder
• Duration: 00:06:56

Introduction

This video discusses a new study suggesting that microtubules in the human brain exhibit quantum effects, specifically superradiance. The video explores the history of the idea that the brain uses quantum effects, addresses criticisms of this theory, and presents the findings of the new research. The presenter also notes the lack of a direct connection between these quantum effects and consciousness.

Key Takeaways

• A new study provides evidence that microtubules in the brain display quantum effects, specifically superradiance, a process involving enhanced light emission due to quantum links between molecules.
• This finding contradicts the common belief that the brain's warm, noisy environment is not conducive to quantum phenomena. The superradiant effect appears robust despite this environment.
• The study used both computer modeling and laboratory experiments to demonstrate the quantum effects in microtubules, although the experiments were not conducted within living cells.
• The researchers suggest that the failure of these quantum effects could contribute to degenerative brain diseases, though this remains speculative.
• The video emphasizes that while the existence of quantum effects in the brain is now more strongly supported, there is still no established link between these effects and consciousness.

The primary criticism is that the human brain is a warm and noisy environment, not conducive to the delicate quantum effects needed for quantum computing or the kind of processes proposed by Penrose. The video points out that quantum computers require extreme cooling and isolation from environmental interference to function, unlike the conditions within the brain. The timescale of neuronal firing is also cited as too slow for quantum effects to play a significant role, making the hypothesis implausible.