Quantum consciousness revisited: a review of Orch OR and an introduction to the Quantum Cognition Gradient
Journal of High School Science July 12, 2026 Logan Piñeiro, Lily Read
The origin of human consciousness, characterized by self-awareness and qualia, remains a deep mystery. Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) theory proposes that consciousness arises from the objective reduction of quantum superpositions within entangled neural microtubules, triggered by gravitational self-energy. Recent studies in quantum biology, including terahertz vibrational measurements and computational modeling, have renewed interest in quantum coherence in biological systems. This review synthesizes these developments and critiques Orch OR, particularly the challenge of maintaining quantum coherence in warm, wet environments. It introduces the Quantum Cognition Gradient (QCG), a heuristic framework extending Orch OR by proposing a scalable relationship between cognitive complexity and quantum-coherent microtubule states. Experimental strategies such as terahertz spectroscopy and interferometric microscopy are outlined to test predictions of both Orch OR and QCG.