Quantum Approaches to Brain and Mind: A Comprehensive Review of Theories, Evidence, and Future Directions

Authors

  • Taruna Ikrar Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia
  • Wachyudi Muchsin Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia
  • Alfi Sophian The Indonesian Food and Drug Authority 0000-0002-5206-2110
10.5281/zenodo.20141510

Abstract

The question of whether quantum mechanical phenomena play a functional role in brain activity and the emergence of consciousness remains one of the most controversial yet intellectually stimulating debates at the intersection of physics, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. This review systematically examines the principal theoretical frameworks proposing quantum-level mechanisms in neural computation, including the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) hypothesis by Penrose and Hameroff, the quantum brain hypothesis of Stapp, quantum coherence models in microtubules, and quantum field theories of consciousness. We critically evaluate the current state of empirical evidence—including recent quantum biology findings, the challenge of decoherence in warm, biological systems, and experimental observations of quantum effects in biological systems—alongside computational models that bridge quantum formalism and neural network dynamics. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of quantum cognition models for understanding perception, decision-making, and memory. Despite significant scientific skepticism, emerging evidence from quantum biology and advanced neuroimaging technologies provides tentative support for quantum processes in neural substrates. We conclude by identifying critical gaps in current knowledge and outlining future research directions that may resolve the debate, including proposals for experimental paradigms using quantum sensing technologies applied to neural tissue. This review aims to serve as a foundational reference for researchers across disciplines approaching the quantum mind hypothesis with scientific rigor.

Keywords:

quantum consciousness; Orch OR; microtubules; quantum cognition; neural quantum coherence; Penrose-Hameroff; quantum brain hypothesis; decoherence; quantum biology

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

Author Biographies

Taruna Ikrar, Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia

Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia

Wachyudi Muchsin, Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia

Indonesia FDA, Jl. Percetakan Negara, No.23, Jakarta Pusat, 10560, Indonesia

References

Atmanspacher H, Filk T. A proposed test of temporal nonlocality in bistable perception. J Math Psychol. 2010;54(3):314–321. doi:10.1016/j.jmp.2009.12.001

Barry JF, Schloss JM, Bauch E, et al. Sensitivity optimization for NV-diamond magnetometry. Rev Mod Phys. 2020;92(1):015004. doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.92.015004

Beck F, Eccles JC. Quantum aspects of brain activity and the role of consciousness. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1992;89(23):11357–11361. doi:10.1073/pnas.89.23.11357

Bohm D, Hiley BJ. The Undivided Universe: An Ontological Interpretation of Quantum Theory. Routledge; 1993.

Busemeyer JR, Bruza PD. Quantum Models of Cognition and Decision. Cambridge University Press; 2012.

Busemeyer JR, Pothos EM, Franco R, Trueblood JS. A quantum theoretical explanation for probability judgment errors. Psychol Rev. 2011;118(2):193–218. doi:10.1037/a0022542

Chalmers DJ. Facing up to the problem of consciousness. J Conscious Stud. 1995;2(3):200–219.

Craddock TJA, Friesen D, Mane J, Hameroff S, Tuszynski JA. The feasibility of coherent energy transfer in microtubules. J R Soc Interface. 2017;14(131):20170415. doi:10.1098/rsif.2017.0415

Dehaene S, Changeux JP, Nacache L. Experimental and theoretical approaches to conscious processing. Neuron. 2006;70(2):200–227. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2011.03.018

Del Giudice E, Preparata G, Vitiello G. Water as a free electric dipole laser. Phys Rev Lett. 1988;61(9):1085–1088. doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.61.1085

Del Giudice E, Spinetti PR, Tedeschi A. Water dynamics at the root of metamorphosis in living organisms. Water. 2010;2(3):566–586. doi:10.3390/w2030566

Eccles JC. How the Self Controls Its Brain. Springer-Verlag; 1994.

Engel GS, Calhoun TR, Read EL, et al. Evidence for wavelike energy transfer through quantum coherence in photosynthetic systems. Nature. 2007;446(7137):782–786. doi:10.1038/nature05678

Fleming GR, Huelga SF, Plenio MB. Focus on quantum effects and noise in biomolecular systems. New J Phys. 2011;13(11):115002. doi:10.1088/1367-2630/13/11/115002

Fries P. Rhythms for cognition: Communication through coherence. Neuron. 2015;88(1):220–235. doi:10.1016/j.neuron.2015.09.034

Hameroff SR. Ultimate Computing: Biomolecular Consciousness and Nanotechnology. Elsevier; 1987.

Hameroff SR. Quantum cognition and brain microtubules. In: Bruza P, Busemeyer J, eds. Quantum Interaction. Springer; 2013:12–29.

Hameroff S, Penrose R. Orchestrated reduction of quantum coherence in brain microtubules: A model for consciousness. Math Comput Simul. 1996;40(3–4):453–480. doi:10.1016/0378-4754(96)80476-9

Hameroff S, Penrose R. Consciousness in the universe: A review of the 'Orch OR' theory. Phys Life Rev. 2014;11(1):39–78. doi:10.1016/j.plrev.2013.08.002

Hore PJ, Mouritsen H. The radical-pair mechanism of magnetoreception. Annu Rev Biophys. 2016;45:299–344. doi:10.1146/annurev-biophys-032116-094545

Khrennikov A. Ubiquitous Quantum Structure: From Psychology to Finance. Springer; 2010.

Khrennikov A. Quantum-like brain: Interference of minds. BioSystems. 2015;105(3):101–109. doi:10.1016/j.biosystems.2011.05.012

Koch C, Hepp K. Quantum mechanics in the brain. Nature. 2006;440(7084):611–612. doi:10.1038/440611a

Lambert N, Chen YN, Cheng YC, Li CM, Chen GY, Nori F. Quantum biology. Nat Phys. 2013;9(1):10–18. doi:10.1038/nphys2474

McFadden J, Al-Khalili J. Life on the Edge: The Coming of Age of Quantum Biology. Crown Publishers; 2014.

Penrose R. The Emperor's New Mind: Concerning Computers, Minds and the Laws of Physics. Oxford University Press; 1989.

Penrose R. Shadows of the Mind: A Search for the Missing Science of Consciousness. Oxford University Press; 1994.

Pokorný J, Pokorný J, Kobilková J, Jandová A, Vrba J. Biophysical cancer transformation pathway. Electromagn Biol Med. 2015;34(4):366–376. doi:10.3109/15368378.2014.927581

Pothos EM, Busemeyer JR. A quantum probability explanation for violations of 'rational' decision theory. Proc R Soc B. 2009;276(1665):2171–2178. doi:10.1098/rspb.2009.0121

Pribram KH. Brain and Perception: Holonomy and Structure in Figural Processing. Lawrence Erlbaum; 1991.

Ritz T, Adem S, Schulten K. A model for photoreceptor-based magnetoreception in birds. Biophys J. 2000;78(2):707–718. doi:10.1016/S0006-3495(00)76629-X

Sahu S, Ghosh S, Hirata K, Fujita D, Bandyopadhyay A. Multi-level memory-switching properties of a single brain microtubule. Appl Phys Lett. 2013;102(12):123701. doi:10.1063/1.4793995

Scholes GD, Fleming GR, Chen LX, et al. Using coherence to enhance function in chemical and biophysical systems. Nature. 2017;543(7647):647–656. doi:10.1038/nature21425

Scrutton NS, Hay S, Sutcliffe MJ. Enzyme-catalysed H-transfer reactions: Tunnelling and the role of the enzyme. Biochem Soc Trans. 2012;40(3):560–564. doi:10.1042/BST20120008

Stapp HP. Mind, Matter and Quantum Mechanics. 3rd ed. Springer; 2007.

Stapp HP. Quantum Theory and Free Will: How Mental Intentions Translate to Bodily Actions. Springer; 2017.

Tegmark M. Importance of quantum decoherence in brain processes. Phys Rev E. 2000;61(4):4194–4206. doi:10.1103/PhysRevE.61.4194

Tegmark M. Consciousness as a state of matter. Chaos Solitons Fractals. 2015;76:238–270. doi:10.1016/j.chaos.2015.03.014

Turin L. A spectroscopic mechanism for primary olfactory reception. Chem Senses. 1996;21(6):773–791. doi:10.1093/chemse/21.6.773

Tversky A, Kahneman D. Extensional versus intuitive reasoning: The conjunction fallacy in probability judgment. Psychol Rev. 1983;90(4):293–315. doi:10.1037/0033-295X.90.4.293

Umezawa H. Advanced Field Theory: Micro, Macro, and Thermal Physics. American Institute of Physics; 1993.

Vitiello G. Dissipation and memory capacity in the quantum brain model. Int J Mod Phys B. 1995;9(8):973–989. doi:10.1142/S0217979295000380

Vitiello G. My Double Unveiled: The Dissipative Quantum Model of Brain. John Benjamins; 2001.

Von Neumann J. Mathematische Grundlagen der Quantenmechanik. Springer; 1932.

Wigner EP. Remarks on the mind-body question. In: Good IJ, ed. The Scientist Speculates. Heinemann; 1961:284–302.

Zurek WH. Decoherence, einselection, and the quantum origins of the classical. Rev Mod Phys. 2003;75(3):715–775. doi:10.1103/RevModPhys.75.715

Downloads

Published

12.05.2026

How to Cite

Ikrar, T., Muchsin, W., & Sophian, A. (2026). Quantum Approaches to Brain and Mind: A Comprehensive Review of Theories, Evidence, and Future Directions. Journal of NeuroPhilosophy, 5(2). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20141510

Issue

Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): JNφphi, Articles Accepted for Publication, Ahead of Print

Section

Review Articles

Categories

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Alfi Sophian

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Authors retain the copyright of their work and grant the journal the right of first publication. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0).

This license permits others to share and adapt the work for non-commercial purposes, provided that appropriate credit is given to the original author(s), a link to the license is provided, and any derivative works are distributed under the same license.