Phosphene perception is due to the ultra-weak photon emission produced in various parts of the visual system: glutamate in the focus

Abstract

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Phosphenes are experienced sensations of light, when there is no light causing them. The physiological processes underlying this phenomenon are still not well understood. Previously, we proposed a novel biopsychophysical approach concerning the cause of phosphenes based on the assumption that cellular endogenous ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is the biophysical cause leading to the sensation of phosphenes. Briefly summarized, the visual sensation of light (phosphenes) is likely to be due to the inherent perception of UPE of cells in the visual system. If the intensity of spontaneous or induced photon emission of cells in the visual system exceeds a distinct threshold, it is hypothesized that it can become a conscious light sensation. Discussing several new and previous experiments, we point out that the UPE theory of phosphenes should be really considered as a scientifically appropriate and provable mechanism to explain the physiological basis of phosphenes. In the present paper, we also present our idea that some experiments may support that the cortical phosphene lights are due to the glutamate-related excess UPE in the occipital cortex.</jats:p>

Possible role of biochemiluminescent photons for lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD)-induced phosphenes and visual hallucinations

“…As we have previously pointed out (Császár et al, 2016), there are some studies recently published (Kobayashi et al, 1999a,b;Tang and Dai, 2014b) that may support that the conclusion that cortical phosphenes are due to the glutamate-related excess biophoton emission in the retinotopic early visual parts. Regarding cortical areas, LSD mainly concentrated in the visual regions.…”

“…-MPO is not only expressed in immune cells as neutrophils and monocytes (Malle et al, 2007) but also by neurons (Green et al, 2004) and microglia. -The latest experiments (Tang and Dai, 2014b) support that the cortical phosphene lights are due to the glutamate-related excess biophoton emission in the occipital cortex (Császár et al, 2016). -When LSD stimulates 5-HT 2A receptors on glutamate axon projections from the thalamus, it can excite the cortical pyramidal cells that release glutamate ( Nichols, 2004).…”

“…Recently, we also pointed out (Császár et al, 2016) that cortical phosphenes seem to be due to the glutamate-related excess biophoton emission in the occipital cortex 1 . Our notion was based on the experiments of Tang and Dai (2014b) that provided evidence that the glutamate-induced biophoton intensity reflected biophoton transmission along the axons and in neural circuits.…”

“…Tinsley et al (2016) reported recently that a single-photon incident on the eye could be perceived by subjects. This suggests that intrinsic biophotons produced within the retinal system may produce retinal phosphene light perception (Császár et al 2016). In the case of retinal phosphenes, we have to consider that the phototransduction enzyme cascade provides enormous signal amplification (Arshavsky and Burns, 2014).…”

The Physical Mechanism for Retinal Discrete Dark Noise: Thermal Activation or Cellular Ultraweak Photon Emission?

“…Conventional understanding of the human and animal visuals systems holds that the external light signal is transformed into a neural electrical signal by the retina, and then enters into the central nervous system through the optic nerve and produces visual perception. Recent studies have found that UPE may explain some aspects of special visual phenomena [ 25 , 26 ]. There are two groups of light emissions from biological systems: induced and spontaneous [ 27 , 28 ].…”