Hameroff

Hameroff is a term that can refer to several things, primarily a surname and a related scientific hypothesis. As a surname, it is of German origin and has been borne by individuals in various fields.

The most prominent association with "Hameroff" in recent decades is with Roger Penrose and Stuart Hameroff's controversial "Orchestrated Objective Reduction" (Orch OR) theory. This hypothesis proposes that consciousness arises from quantum computations within microtubules, which are protein structures inside neurons. According to Orch OR, consciousness is not a product of classical computation in the brain but rather a fundamental feature of the universe, orchestrated by quantum effects in the brain's neuronal structures.

The Orch OR theory suggests that quantum coherence is maintained within microtubules for a period long enough to produce conscious moments. When this coherence reaches a certain threshold, it collapses spontaneously through a process called objective reduction, which is proposed to be a physical process related to spacetime geometry. This objective reduction event, according to the theory, corresponds to a moment of conscious experience.

The theory has faced significant criticism from the scientific community, particularly from physicists and neuroscientists. Major objections include the difficulty of maintaining quantum coherence in the warm, wet environment of the brain, the lack of direct experimental evidence, and the perceived unnecessity of invoking quantum mechanics to explain consciousness. Despite the criticisms, Hameroff and Penrose continue to advocate for their theory and have published further research and arguments in its support.