Optimizing our patient’s entropy production as therapy? Hypotheses originating from the physics of physiology

Abstract

Physical laws dictate that energy is preserved; yet energy gradients irreversibly dissipate, thus producing entropy. As living complex non-equilibrium systems, humans must produce entropy continuously over time to create healthy internal emergent order. Entropy production is measured by heat production divided by temperature. Several hypotheses are presented. First, human entropy production is due to both metabolism and consciousness, dissipating energy and information gradients. Second, the physical drive for maximal entropy production is responsible for spontaneous formation of fractal multi-scale self-similar structures in time and space, ubiquitous and essential for health. Third, the evolutionary drive for enhanced function and adaptability selects states with both robust basal and maximal entropy production (i.e. the capacity to augment it when required). Last, targeted focus on optimizing our patients’ entropy production will improve health and clinical outcomes. These hypotheses have implications for understanding health, metabolism and consciousness, and offer novel clinical treatment strategies.