On the Possible Existence of Quantum Consciousness After Brain Death

Abstract

One of the main clinical signs of irreversible human death is the flat EEG. It means that in this condition neurons do not generate action potentials, and therefore cannot control body movement and vital physiological functions. However, after brain death, the rate of destruction of cerebral and other cells is different in the several body districts.  We consider at least two approaches to the physical correlates of quantum consciousness in that condition. The first one is related to quantum effects in proteins, which can maintain unchanged their folding and water environment in several cells after brain death. The second one considers a part of conscious activity related to the formation of potentials in electrolyte systems containing water, ions and proteins, which can maintain charges (difference of potentials) after brain death. In the first approach the Schrödinger proteins can be considered the basis of quantum information; therefore, quantum consciousness may remain until the last folded protein exists in the body. In the second approach, since the flat EEG comes from a disturbance in the flux of some ions (mostly Na⁺ and K⁺, affecting neuronal firing), but not necessarily other ions (mostly Ca²⁺ in glial cells), which may still maintain a low entropy distribution, some instantiation of feelings and other conscious phenomena would take place until the system achieves a Gaussian ionic distribution, in which any functional charge is absent. On these bases, we argue for the possibility of fading quantum consciousness aspects after brain death. This claim deserves more thorough investigations, not only for its scientific boldness, but also because of the legal consequences that could be of considerable interest in a not too far future, when taking into consideration the aims of transhumanism.