The natural history of consciousness, and the question of whether plants are conscious, in relation to the Hameroff-Penrose quantum-physical ‘Orch OR’ theory of universal consciousness

Abstract

Abbreviations used AP action potential, EEG electroencephalograph, EPD electrical potential difference, MAP microtubule-associated protein, MT microtubule, Orch OR orchestrated objective reduction Downloaded by [University of Otago] at 00:21 14 July 2015 2 2 Whether or not plants exhibit consciousness in the sense that they possess a 'sensation of self' is uncertain. Unlike humans and certain animals, plants cannot be interrogated directly on this matter. In any case, it is possible that states of consciousness, like brains and nervous systems of animals, have evolved and developed in different ways, depending on their phylogeny. However, some of the criteria by which consciousness is inferred to be present in animals are met by plants. For example, plants display features of cognition (sensing and response) and of learning and memory which, in animals, contribute to the conscious state. Plants also possess a rudiment ary nervous system similar to that found in basal animals and have, perhaps, a simple brain, as well as showing slow and fast transmissable electrical activity, all of which are strong correlates of consciousness in animals. However, the question of consciousness in general can be approached in different way. This is by taking the Orch OR (Orchestrated Objective Reduction) hypothesis of Hameroff and Penr ose 1 as a starting point. The Orch OR hypothesis, which is based in quantum physics, proposes that, when a sufficient mass of tubulin molecules has assembled into cytoskeletal microtubules (MTs) within neuronal cells of the brain, these structures become sites of quantum c omputation and of quantum state reduction (OR) events resulting in moments of protoconsciousness. Because plant cells also have large populations of MTs, and because plant MTs share properties with those of animal neuronal MTs, which putatively orchestrate OR events, plant MTs might also be sites of quantum reduction events and, hence, lead to momentary protoconsciousness. The extent to which the Orch OR hypothesis is applicable to plants is examined, and it is argued that, within the plant body, the most likely tissue where OR events could be located and promote protoconsciousness is to be found in the system of ray cells of tree trunks in which bundled MTs and actin filaments are prevalent.A single complete ray complex is estimated to contain about as many tubulin molecules as a single human cerebral neuron.Inferential evidence used by Hameroff and Penrose to support their Orch OR hypothesis leads in another direction. These authors presented estimates of the frequency of protoconscious or conscious moments. This frequency turns out to be similar to the fr equency of successive Earthly quantal time units, according to a theory proposed by G. Dorda. 2 These time units are also intimately linked with simultaneous changes of quantal mass, both mass and time being structured according to the motions of Earth and Moon around the Sun.In the case of cellular tissues, quantised mass takes the form of aggregates of water, and these are ...

Slime mould: The fundamental mechanisms of biological cognition

“…Another possible source of sentience at the cellular and subcellular levels is the dynamic cytoskeleton. Especially microtubules are discussed as important in this respect [157] [140] [141] [142], representing quantum channels related to consciousness [158] [159] and terahertz oscillations in tubulin were reported to be affected by exposures to anesthetics [160]. Besides microtubules, also the actin filaments behave as excitable medium which transports ionic waves and mediates eukaryotic chemotaxis in response to diverse gradients [161] [162] [163] [164].…”

The botanical multiverse of Peter Barlow

“…And Peter didn't shy away from discussing one of the most contentious aspects of plant intelligence, whether plants exhibit consciousness [156,157]. For the record, Peter was of the view that both non-human animals as well as plants exhibit a protoconsciousness [158], whereas Man has developed further capabilities, and is able to experience a 'higher' state of consciousness [158]. But Peter was also keen to try and broaden awareness of, and encourage discussion about, matters such as cognition and intelligence in the context of plants, especially roots.…”

Non-Ordinary Mental Expressions (NOMEs): Clues on the Nature of the Human Mind

“…The synchrony between coupled subjects may also involve unconscious processes, such as EEG changes yielded by visual and/or auditory stimulation in the participant (the transmitter) located at a distance in another isolated room (Bilucaglia, Pederzoli, Giroldini, Prati, Tressoldi, 2019;Giroldini et al Tressoldi et al, 2014Giroldini, Pederzoli, Bilucaglia, Prati, & Tressoldi, 2018;. The hypothesis of mind interaction stems from the possibility of non-local properties of consciousness: perhaps, the world at large is less "local" than believed so far and Nature might reveal itself as a huge integrated, complex system made of interrelated events including all living creatures (Atmanspacher, 2014Barlow, 2015;Charlton, 2007;Connolly, 2015;Neppe & Close, 2015;Walach & Romer, 2011;Wang et al 2013). The available studies deal with both mind interaction and synchronicity − the latter stemming from Jung and Pauli's long lasting collaboration largely based on speculative reflections.…”

“…Five out of the 60 participants showed event-related EEG signals during image/thought transmission, suggesting that in some pairs of subjects a signal may be somewhat detected by the distant partner (Standish et al, 2004). Richards et al (2005) examined the effects on receiver's brain by both EEG and fMRI while the transmitter was submitted to flash 4 https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maharishi_Mahesh_Yogi stimulation; the results showed significant event-related changes, especially in visual brain areas (Brodmann areas 18 and 19). In conclusion, the idea of mind to mind interaction at a distance − despite being ostensibly odd when observed by the traditional positivist-materialist approach anchored to classical physics − seems to be more plausible and real than commonly believed and is worth of further investigation to explore and better understand it.…”