Part 6/10:
The Evidence Begins to Pile Up
As research progressed, experimental validation of the Orch-OR theory emerged. Early attempts to substantiate these claims faced setbacks, such as a 2022 study that failed to prove gravitational influence on quantum collapse, seemingly weakening the case for quantum processes in consciousness.
However, the tides have shifted with new studies that provide pivotal evidence supporting Hameroff's assertions. Recent experiments revealed that anesthetics can indeed affect microtubules, suggesting a direct relationship between these structures and consciousness. Specifically, the introduction of anesthetics like Xenon altered the fluorescence properties of microtubules, supporting Hameroff's long-held theories about their role in consciousness.