Quantum Biology

Two chairs

Photosynthesis, some enzymes and a bird's compass may really use quantum effects. Consciousness and 'quantum healing' borrow the same word for something no one has measured.

The question

Since 2007, physicists have found real quantum effects at work in life: possible coherence in photosynthesis, tunnelling in some enzymes, and a radical-pair reaction that may let birds sense magnetic fields. Since the 1980s, others have used 'quantum' to explain consciousness and healing. Where does the measured science end and the borrowed word begin?

Round 1

The chair that sees it everywhereIn 2007, a landmark experiment reported wavelike quantum coherence moving energy through a photosynthetic protein — proof, to some, that life runs on quantum tricks throughout.

The chair that keeps to the measuredThat 2007 result is real, but its size is disputed: later papers, including one in 2021, argue the coherence found so far doesn't actually boost efficiency.

Round 2

The chair that sees it everywhereSince 1989, kinetic evidence has shown some enzymes speed reactions using quantum tunnelling, letting particles cross barriers classical chemistry says they shouldn't — hardly a fringe claim.

The chair that keeps to the measuredTrue, and well established — for hydrogen transfer in specific enzymes. That's a narrow, measured effect, not license to call every cell a quantum computer.

Round 3

The chair that sees it everywhereIf a bird can navigate by quantum radical pairs, why assume the brain — just as much a piece of biology — doesn't use quantum effects for consciousness too?

The chair that keeps to the measuredNo experiment has shown it. 'Quantum healing', a term coined in 1989, and quantum consciousness borrow real physics words for claims one physicist called 'quantum flapdoodle.'

Where are you sitting?

The chair that sees it everywhere The chair that keeps to the measured Neither — I’m still listening

Held open

What's measured: coherence in photosynthesis, tunnelling in some enzymes, and a radical-pair reaction in bird cryptochrome. What isn't: that any of it explains consciousness or healing. Those claims borrow the word 'quantum' without the measurement behind it.

The robin's compass may be quantum. The rest is still being measured.

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