Penrose-Hameroff Orch-OR Theory

The Penrose-Hameroff Orch-OR (Orchestrated Objective Reduction) theory suggests that consciousness arises from quantum processes occurring within the brain's neurons, specifically in structures called microtubules. These microtubules can support quantum states that periodically collapse in a way that creates moments of conscious awareness. The theory combines ideas from quantum physics and neuroscience, proposing that these quantum events are orchestrated and integrated across the brain, influencing thoughts and experiences. In essence, it sees consciousness as rooted in complex quantum activity inside brain cells, rather than just classical neural activity.