COLLAPSE OF A QUANTUM FIELD MAY AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION Export

@article{Blott1994, abstract = {Experiments are described, using electroencephalography (EEG) and simple tests of performance, which support the hypothesis that collapse of a quantum field is of importance to the functioning of the brain. The theoretical basis of our experiments is derived from Penrose (1989) who suggested that conscious decision-making is a manifestation of the outcome of quantum computation in the brain involving collapse of some relevant wave function. He also proposed that collapse of any wave function depends on a gravitational criterion. As different brain areas are known to subserve different functions, we argue that 'Penrose collapse' must occur in a particular brain area when performing a task that uses it. Further, taking an EEG from the area should amplify the gravitational prerequisite for collapse, so affecting task performance. There are no non-quantum theories which could lead one to expect that taking an EEG could directly affect task performance by subjects. The results of both pilot and main experiments indicated that task performance was indeed influenced by taking an EEG from relevant brain areas. Control experiments suggested that the influence was quantum mechanical in origin, and was not due to any experimental artefact. The results are statistically significant and merit attempts at replication in an independent laboratory, preferably with more sophisticated equipment than was available to us.}, author = {Nunn;c}, chapter = {127}, citeulike-article-id = {3142007}, citeulike-linkout-0 = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/download?pub=infobike%3a%2f%2fimp%2fjcs%2f1994%2f00000001%2f00000001%2fart00010&mimetype=application%2fpdf&exitTargetId=1195899272170}, journal = {Journal of Consciousness Studies}, keywords = {attention, electroencephalography, file-import-08-08-20, performance, quantum-physics, reaction-times}, month = {JanuarySeptemberSeptemberApril}, pages = {13}, posted-at = {2008-08-20 22:19:49}, priority = {0}, publisher = {Imprint Academic}, title = {COLLAPSE OF A QUANTUM FIELD MAY AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION}, url = {http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/download?pub=infobike%3a%2f%2fimp%2fjcs%2f1994%2f00000001%2f00000001%2fart00010&mimetype=application%2fpdf&exitTargetId=1195899272170}, volume = {1}, year = {1994} }

TY - JOUR ID - Blott1994 L3 - citeulike-article-id:3142007 N2 - Experiments are described, using electroencephalography (EEG) and simple tests of performance, which support the hypothesis that collapse of a quantum field is of importance to the functioning of the brain. The theoretical basis of our experiments is derived from Penrose (1989) who suggested that conscious decision-making is a manifestation of the outcome of quantum computation in the brain involving collapse of some relevant wave function. He also proposed that collapse of any wave function depends on a gravitational criterion. As different brain areas are known to subserve different functions, we argue that ‘Penrose collapse’ must occur in a particular brain area when performing a task that uses it. Further, taking an EEG from the area should amplify the gravitational prerequisite for collapse, so affecting task performance. There are no non-quantum theories which could lead one to expect that taking an EEG could directly affect task performance by subjects. The results of both pilot and main experiments indicated that task performance was indeed influenced by taking an EEG from relevant brain areas. Control experiments suggested that the influence was quantum mechanical in origin, and was not due to any experimental artefact. The results are statistically significant and merit attempts at replication in an independent laboratory, preferably with more sophisticated equipment than was available to us. JF - Journal of Consciousness Studies EP - 13 TI - COLLAPSE OF A QUANTUM FIELD MAY AFFECT BRAIN FUNCTION PB - Imprint Academic VL - 1 KW - attention KW - electroencephalography KW - file-import-08-08-20 KW - performance KW - quantum-physics KW - reaction-times AU - Nunn;c PY - 1994/1994// UR - http://www.ingentaconnect.com/search/download?pub=infobike%3a%2f%2fimp%2fjcs%2f1994%2f00000001%2f00000001%2fart00010&mimetype=application%2fpdf&exitTargetId=1195899272170 ER -