The challenge here lies not just in developing more theoretical frameworks but in creating a hypothesis that respects and attempts to unify them.
As I’ve started on this journey of exploration, I’ve discovered that a lot of my thoughts on quantum consciousness are interdisciplinary; they tie or borrow from various theories that have already been written about in isolation. Not only this, but everywhere I look now, there’s a spark of inspiration to research something that may or may not play its part in defining something new. Like, last night I was watching Frozen Planet II, another wonderful David Attenborough series about life on Earth, and there was a brief segment on the Painted Turtle.
WTF does a painted turtle have anything to do with consciousness and whether it’s a quantum phenomenon?
This remarkable little beastie can survive in a state of suspended animation, with its heart completely stopped for days or even weeks during winter, while maintaining minimal but crucial brain function throughout this period. While the turtle’s brain activity is significantly reduced during this period, it never completely ceases. It’s a neurological paradox that has fascinated researchers. This preservation of neural function completely contradicts the conventional understanding of brain physiology, which holds that mammal, especially human, brain tissue begins to die after just minutes without oxygen.
So…
There are plausible connections between the suspended animation of the painted turtle and quantum consciousness as proposed by our constant companions, Penrose and Hameroff. One of the major criticisms of the Orch-OR theory is that quantum coherence is unlikely to be maintained in the warm and wet environment of the brain (I’ve countered this argument myself through quantum biology in other posts). However, the painted turtle’s suspended animation provides a naturally occurring biological condition in which quantum coherence might be preserved.
If consciousness exists as a quantum phenomenon, especially under quantum stream theory, then the turtle might maintain a reduced but still active interaction with this quantum field despite its extremely suspended state.
There’s more too, and if you extend this to other animal life, then there are patterns to observe that could potentially further support this hypothesis (Tardigrades!)
So, in Part One, I wanted to lay bare a very brief overview of the plethora of theories in the field of consciousness study, but not only that, I wanted to show that they feel so disconnected and contrarian to one another. In reality, there is a lot of interconnected common ground between some of them despite tackling consciousness and its thorny definition from different angles.
When I began poking around my ideas behind Quantum Stream Theory, I soon began to understand that I couldn’t and shouldn’t fall into the same trap as the rest, so I worked on turning QST into an interdisciplinary theory rather than another isolated one.
For example, a comment I received when discussing Part One was: “What’s your view on the work of Michael Levin on morphogenesis & bioelectricity? Like his research depicts that cellular networks engage in distributed intelligence through bioelectric signals. Which, in turn, makes collective decisions about form and function; I guess it’s called proto consciousness?”
It’s one reason I love writing and exploring ideas so much: having an engaged and curious audience. I promised I wouldn’t get distracted, but it’s hard not to when I can immediately see a connection between Levin’s work and quantum biology (just wait till I drop an article about quantum consciousness and the humble octopus soon!)
Let’s quickly cover Levin and his theory before launching further into the abyssal plane of existence known as consciousness.
Levin’s research at Tufts University centres on how cellular networks communicate and make collective decisions through bioelectric signalling, the patterns of voltage potentials that encode and process information about anatomical structure and function. Levin’s theories propose that cellular networks use bioelectric signals as a form of “distributed intelligence” or “proto-consciousness”, guiding decisions about anatomical development and regeneration.
This idea, a collective intelligence emerging from bioelectric signalling across cellular networks, really fits nicely with the concept of consciousness as a potentially fractal, quantum-based, and distributed phenomenon rather than strictly confined to neural processes alone.
The really interesting bit is that, overall, his theories do not merely parallel QST and the work in progress; they potentially strengthen the scientific foundations for Quantum Stream Theory by bridging theoretical quantum consciousness with practical biological processes. Like IIT adding mathematical rigour, it could be regarded as a “missing link” between the two, which is why not only am I excited by this, but that question I received was sheer serendipity as I sat down to write Part Two.
Levin proposes that cells communicate and coordinate via bioelectric fields, allowing them to make collective decisions regarding form and function (he calls it “the body’s cognitive glue”). This is similar to the QST hypothesis that consciousness might arise from distributed quantum coherence through Ferritin and other biologically active proteins, mediated by blood flow as a quantum information carrier. It explains why the brain and quantum consciousness can retain coherence under warmer conditions than normal quantum processes.
His idea of proto-consciousness in cell networks suggests a form of primitive sentience or awareness embedded within living tissues. This hints at panpsychism/cosmopsychism, a view we hold with Quantum Stream Theory, which suggests that consciousness is fundamental and distributed throughout nature. If there is indeed some connection, then we have a link between the philosophical and the real.
Quantum biology already examines quantum effects in proteins, cellular membranes, microtubules, and biochemical reactions. Levin’s bioelectric signals, which influence gene expression and morphogenesis, may rely on subtle quantum effects at room temperature similar to those identified in Ferritin, implying yet another overlap and possible supporting theory.
We’ve already discussed how much of nature and the Universe possesses fractal qualities (scale invariance, self-similarity). Levin’s bioelectric fields, governing growth and regeneration, appear to employ similar recursive and self-organising principles. If consciousness emerges from quantum processes encoded in fractal patterns (as in QST), Levin’s work might show precisely how this fractal coherence manifests biologically because he, too, suggests that cognitive processes are scale-invariant, meaning that even simple biological systems without nervous systems can display rudimentary cognitive functions.
I’ll discuss how consciousness might relate to entropy states, too, in another article, balancing quantum coherence (low entropy states) with biological complexity such as the brain itself (high entropy states). Levin’s bioelectric signalling pathways represent controlled, low-entropy informational structures that guide complex morphogenetic processes amidst biological noise. This directly parallels Quantum Stream Theory again when considering consciousness as quantum coherent within biological systems.
Now, we’re ready to take a bit of a leap of faith into the unknown here.
Levin could also provide insights into consciousness transference, a theme of another planned article (e.g., one with lots of Star Trek analogies). Understanding how cells collectively retain coherent bioelectric “blueprints” across regeneration or repair processes might help inform methods for quantum-based consciousness preservation or transference.
And, lastly, exploring how the humble octopus highlights an advanced nervous system that diverged significantly from human evolution. Levin’s bioelectric model could add a layer of explanation for octopus intelligence and decentralized neural functions married together with decentralized subjective conscious experiences spread across nine brains, and that draws upon not only QST but IIT (Integrated Information Theory) as well.
Consider that, under IIT, octopuses could possess integrated but potentially distinct consciousnesses in each “node” due to locally high Phi values (integration measures). IIT also implies that multiple conscious experiences could exist simultaneously within one organism, potentially raising profound ethical and philosophical questions about the individuality of consciousness. This brings us neatly back to the reason behind Part Two (thank you again, my Octopus friend), which is how to think about these theories as interconnected, not disparate
.
Let’s recap the broad strokes of QST before we get lost again.
- Consciousness is fundamentally a quantum phenomenon, streamed rather than emergent or the result of episodic, waveform collapse.
- The brain is a quantum interpreter/ receiver, facilitated by quantum coherence.
- Ferritin and quantum biology enable biological structures to host quantum coherence, even at ambient biological temperatures.
- Consciousness has a fractal, recursive structure, exhibiting self-similarity across space and time (which is bi-directional under Quantum Stream Theory).
- Consciousness persists beyond biological death through entanglement and decoherence with a broader quantum field.
- Quantum Stream Theory is an extension of the existing ORCH-Or theory developed by Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff.
The last bullet point is an important one to note because, under Quantum Consciousness theories, it’s not the only one, so we should look at some of the others to see if there’s any common ground.
Pylkkänen’s Quantum Potential Energy and Active Information suggests that consciousness arises from quantum potential energy fields carrying “active information” that guides physical systems, matching our view of consciousness as a quantum information stream actively shaping brain states.
It’s similar to Beck-Eccles’s Quantum Processes in the Synapse, which states consciousness is generated by quantum tunnelling at neuronal synapses. Again, this matches the hypothesis that Ferritin’s quantum tunnelling within QST could offer a physical mechanism underlying Beck-Eccles’s ideas, with biological quantum tunnelling processes supporting consciousness coherence across neurons.
Kauffman’s Mind Mediating Possibles to Actuals claims that consciousness mediates quantum possibilities into classical actualities through biological quantum mechanisms (I do wish they’d speak normally at times), and this complements the QST view of consciousness, translating quantum potentialities into coherent subjective experiences.
Torday’s Cellular and Cosmic Consciousness strongly aligns directly with QST’s assertion of a universal quantum stream existing at multiple scales, facilitated biologically.
Smolin’s Causal Theory of Views says that consciousness arises from interactions that form causal frameworks within quantum spacetime. The framework is compatible and could help explain how coherent quantum information interacts at quantum scales within a quantum stream.
Faggin’s Quantum Information-based Panpsychism states that consciousness is universal, fundamental quantum information. This is directly compatible and supports QST’s stream analogy, providing an underpinning for consciousness as universal quantum information streams received biologically and interpreted by the brain (there’s quantum consciousness, panpsychism, and IIT here already, which is a great base to start with, too!)
Fisher’s Quantum Cognition emerges from quantum coherence and entanglement at the neuronal level, suggesting quantum biological coherence (ferritin, microtubules) and adding detailed biological mechanisms to QST’s quantum consciousness theory.
I’m now beginning to wish I thought this through into more parts…we haven’t touched on Altered States, or even Panpsychism yet…
We’ve shown that a natural bridge between IIT and quantum theories arises through quantum information theory and quantum biology. Altered State theories related to déjà vu, NDEs, and psychedelics align with QST’s ideas that consciousness can exist or transfer beyond typical biological boundaries. These theories support QST’s idea of coherence, entanglement, and quantum biological substrates (Ferritin, protein tunnelling), enhancing quantum states during altered consciousness conditions. Some researchers suggest that altered states may involve changes in quantum coherence in the brain, potentially modifying how information is integrated and processed.
By connecting quantum coherence with IIT’s mathematical formalism and combining theories under altered states, researchers could quantify how quantum effects potentially influence Phi values in conscious systems, explaining why certain altered states, particularly those induced by psychedelics or deep meditation, produce experiences of vastly increased interconnectedness and information flows and potentially increased levels of Phi.
Ok, now there are links between Altered States, Integrated Information Theory, Quantum Consciousness, and Panpsychism (in a broad sense).
Some specific sub-categories of panpsychism are of more interest than others, however. Sheldrake’s Self-Organising Systems of consciousness are mediated by electrical fields and self-organizing structures at all complexity levels, proposing nested minds within the universe (so suggesting not only a fractal nature but also indirectly tying to Levin’s theories of bioelectricity). The Panprotopsychism hypothesis states that basic properties at the fundamental level are proto-conscious, not fully conscious. Consciousness emerges from these properties under certain conditions, and you could argue that there is, again, a link to investigate between this theory and Levin.
Then we have Cosmopsychism, where consciousness is grounded in universal-level processes and entities derive consciousness from the larger cosmic structure rather than vice versa, matching QST’s idea of consciousness as part of a broader universal quantum stream, where individual brains “receive” consciousness rather than creating it independently.
So, we too have some deeper integration with Panpsychism under Quantum Stream Theory that also draws in theories of intelligence and proto-consciousness from Michael Levin’s theories on bioelectrical “cognitive glue”.
I know this feels like we’re speedrunning toward a cherry-picked conclusion here, but there’s a reason. I want to ground Quantum Stream Theory in interconnected frameworks that not only directly complement each other but could also be testable.
Quantum processes are testable, biological processes are testable, bioelectrical processes are testable, informational processes are testable, and by their very proof, we may come up with testable hypotheses about panpsychism. By setting some of the bigger philosophical questions and theories aside for the time being and focusing on an interdisciplinary approach couched in reality, it will be far harder to explain away shortcomings with hand wavy bullshit about unknown forces we don’t yet understand but far easier to prove the theory by building testable scenarios not only on human beings but also all across nature.
For example, I had a question on Bluesky about ants: “What are your thoughts on expanding it to address the hive-mind concepts of consciousness exhibited by ants and termites?” asked Chris Hecht.
Well, it certainly made me think hard about this since ant colonies are “hive-minded” and yet could be considered a “decentralized consciousness”. But is it?
The octopus represents decentralized individual consciousness, meaning that it is one organism with multiple decentralized neural systems. Nine brains connect biologically, interacting via quantum biological coherence. Subjective experience is potentially both localized (via the arms independently) and centralized (integrated by the main brain).
An ant colony displays complex problem-solving abilities collectively (swarm intelligence, not decentralized intelligence). Individual ants have relatively simple behaviors, and complexity emerges only at the group level. There’s no biological quantum coherence between individual ants at a neural or quantum level, only classical information sharing and chemical signals. If we add IIT to this, then it suggests that individual ants have extremely low Phi. Colony-level Phi might be higher, but remains loosely integrated compared to a single organism’s nervous system, like the Octopus. Octopuses, conversely, would score high on IIT’s integration scale, supporting decentralized yet highly coherent subjective consciousness.
But now we have Levin’s theories to consider!
Levin proposes that bioelectric networks can be the substrate for higher-order functions, including decision making and rudimentary forms of cognition and intelligence, even proto-consciousness. This could theoretically sustain distributed quantum coherence, allowing decentralized but coherent consciousness. It could also suggest that proto-consciousness might exist as a quantum coherent state arising at the collective cellular scale, relevant to primitive consciousness, not necessarily implying complex subjective experience in ant colonies, but potentially explaining how decentralized systems might integrate information at larger scales.
Remember, we don’t have to throw quantum at everything to make it work the way we want it to.
Levin’s bioelectric theory may provide intermediate steps, potentially supporting decentralized consciousness if quantum biological properties are integrated. An ant has a brain with 250,000 neurons, which is still enough for it to be such a complex insect, especially as a colony. It has a heart that pumps hemolymph, a blood-like substance that contains proteins among other chemicals. It transmits chemical pheromones that allow it to coordinate as a hive mind in groups. Let’s hypothesise then for a minute with everything we think we know about ants and what we’ve come up with for quantum stream theory with its interdisciplinary approach.
Never mind the ant brain, my brain is hurting trying to think this one through!
Is an ant considered conscious or even proto-conscious as an individual entity? And, could a “hive consciousness” exist through the chemical pheromones it emits as a collective, and through the proteins and chemicals, following our integrated theory about quantum biology and IIT, allowing for a collective or decentralized consciousness to be “transmitted” by it?
On an individual level, an ant’s brain has sufficient complexity for sophisticated individual behavior, including basic decision making, learning, and memory. There is likely enough neural complexity for simple subjective experience or minimal proto-consciousness to satisfy panpsychism under Quantum Stream Theory. If the proteins contained in hemolymph exhibit quantum biology properties (quantum tunnelling, entanglement at biological temperatures), ants would have a minimal quantum biology capacity because it’s far simpler in nature than something like a human or an octopus.
At a colony level, things break down even further, sadly.
Classical chemical signals and pheromones provide colony communication, integration, and emergent complex behaviors. But chemical signals alone do not imply quantum coherence. It’s theoretically possible but practically very unlikely due to rapid environmental decoherence (open air exposure, high temperature, diffusion), and we’re not looking for plausibility but testability here. If any colony-level consciousness existed, it would be extremely minimal and classical in nature; it couldn’t be quantum-based without any direct biological coherence, and the chemical pheromone isn’t enough to sustain it.
Could ants then be considered “nodes” that are scale-invariant as the colony expands? Or does this theory still fail due to the lack of direct quantum biological interaction to sustain a hive or swarm consciousness?
Well, individual ants behave similarly at multiple colony scales (nest structure, foraging patterns). Colony behaviors emerge recursively from individual ant interactions, and ants repeat simple behaviors producing complex outcomes at scale. But Quantum Stream Theory still explicitly requires quantum coherence and quantum biological mechanisms.
I could come up with some hand-wavy bullshit about unknown forces we don’t yet understand, but that’s not what we want here.
Let’s play a wild card. Ants, birds, and other insects have been shown to “tap into” the Earth’s electromagnetic field (EMF) mostly for navigational purposes. Most of this is still unexplained. So, if, under panpsychism/ cosmopsychism, there is the implication of a universal field of consciousness, and from the previous article about the Overview Effect, the Earth’s quantum field may be highly tuned to life here, could ants use their EMF ability to harness some kind of collective consciousness experience as a hive mind?
And are there any other prevailing theories of consciousness that we haven’t touched on yet that may account for this?
By golly, there is!
Electromagnetic theories of consciousness propose that consciousness can be understood as an electromagnetic phenomenon. They suggest that consciousness results when a brain produces an electromagnetic field with specific characteristics, so ants might theoretically use Earth’s own EMF to sustain some form of quantum coherence across a colony, and this is strongly supported not only by panpsychism but also by Levin’s bioelectric theory. It has some speculative support from Tononi’s IIT since it also views panpsychism positively, and the electromagnetic field could support integration across compatible organisms, boosting the collective colony Phi.
This theory also meets the criteria for our beloved octopus, which is heartening.
We might be getting somewhere at last! It’s extremely speculative, highly profound, but also theoretically plausible and compatible with many of the theories we’ve discussed here in this article. Not only this, but it’s also testable within the current limits of science, not philosophy.
Hooray for ants! And I’m exhausted now.
Theories of consciousness have to stand up beyond just homo sapiens; it’s not only ignorance but also arrogance to assume these theories must not only work in isolation from one another but also in isolation from every species we share this planet with.
And that’s the ultimate goal of Quantum Stream Theory.
Stay curious, and I’ll write more if you want to read more!
