New research suggests that humanity may soon find an answer to one of its oldest and most profound questions: what is consciousness?
Researchers involved in recent studies propose an innovative method of addressing this enduring mystery: connecting human brains to quantum computers. Think of it as a cosmic brain handshake, but with a lot more science and a touch of that good old-fashioned existential risk.
This audacious hypothesis explores whether consciousness stems from quantum entanglement, a phenomenon usually reserved for subatomic particles. If true, this experiment could not only crack open the mystery of consciousness but also pave the way for new ways to experience reality (or, at the very least, grant any prospective early participant bragging rights as a quantum-enhanced being).
Quantum Entanglement and the Mystery of Consciousness
Consciousness is a universal experience, but its mechanics remain maddeningly elusive. At its simplest, consciousness can be defined as the state of being awake and aware. However, the question of what mechanisms give rise to it and even whether it may be a complex illusion arising from multiple underlying processes in the brain that offer humans a more simplified experience of what we call reality.
Now, new evidence suggests that microtubules—tiny structures inside neurons—could provide the perfect environment for stable quantum entanglement in the brain’s vast neuronal landscape.
Microtubules: The Brains Secret Superstars?
Last September, groundbreaking research by Wellesley College professor Mike Wiest and his graduate students suggested that microscopic tubular structures found in the cytoplasm of cells may hold the key to consciousness.
In their study, scientists observed that drugs targeting microtubules changed how quickly rats lost consciousness under anesthesia. These findings hint that microtubules might play a greater role in consciousness than previously thought.
Building on this foundation, a team led by Hartmut Neven, head of Google’s Quantum AI Lab, recently proposed an ambitious next step: directly linking human brains to quantum computers to further address the lingering questions researchers have about consciousness.
The Expansion Protocol
The researchers call their proposed experiment the expansion protocol. The idea is to create a physical interface between a human brain and a quantum computer, enabling quantum entanglement between the two systems—in other words, picture your brain joining forces with a quantum supercomputer.
According to the researchers, this connection would merge the brain’s quantum state space with that of the computer, creating a larger, combined state. “This expanded superposition could enrich the subject’s conscious experience,” Neven and the team explain in a recent paper outlining their work, essentially arguing that more qubits could equal more mind-blowing thought experiences.
Late last year, Neven elaborated to New Scientist, saying, “If a person could entangle their brain with a quantum computer, they’d create a quantum superposition involving both systems. When this superposition collapses, the person might report a richer conscious experience requiring more bits to describe—think N+M instead of just N.”
This expansion protocol, which Neven claims could expand one’s consciousness in space, time, and complexity, would be like giving your brain a veritable quantum upgrade.
Big Questions, Bigger Challenges
While intriguing, the expansion protocol faces a few hurdles. Connecting a brain to a quantum computer would require invasive procedures and technologies that, at least for now, exist only in the realm of ambitious sci-fi enthusiasts. However, with recent breakthroughs in interfaces such as Elon Musk’s innovative—but controversial—Neuralink brain-computer interface, it is perhaps a bit easier to see these as potential realities in the near future.
Still, there’s no guarantee that reported experiences would prove quantum entanglement’s role in consciousness, rather than just a brain’s unique reactions to being tinkered with.
Recognizing these challenges, the researchers acknowledge other promising avenues for exploring consciousness. For instance, studies on inert gases like xenon may yield insights without requiring brain-computer hookups that sound straight out of a dystopian thriller.
The Future of Consciousness Research
Despite its speculative nature, the expansion protocol offers a tantalizing glimpse into the future of consciousness research. If successful, it could validate decades-old theories and redefine how we understand the relationship between our minds and the universe.
For now, the experiment remains theoretical. As quantum computing advances, however, the possibility of a quantum-linked human mind may edge closer to reality. Until then, consciousness researchers have plenty of more grounded—but equally fascinating—work to keep them busy.
The team’s proposal, detailed in the paper “Quantum Interfaces for Consciousness Expansion”, is a reminder that the quest to understand consciousness is as vast and mysterious as the cosmos itself.
Caleb Hanks is a freelance writer, musician, and audio engineer based in Asheville, North Carolina.