In this Crazy Wisdom episode, Stewart Alsop dives into a compelling conversation with guest Sterling Cooley, exploring Sterling's research and theories on the vagus nerve, ultrasound, and consciousness. Sterling introduces his Niemertin Vagus Nerve Origin Theory and the role of microtubules in consciousness. The two discuss scientific materialism, quantum mechanics, and xenon’s potential to unlock new understanding in consciousness studies. This episode takes listeners through groundbreaking ideas on the connections between consciousness and cellular structures, and to learn more, visit Sterling's work at Ultraskool.com.

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Timestamps

00:00 Introduction to the Crazy Wisdom Podcast

00:39 Exploring the Vagus Nerve and Yoga

01:22 Diving into Xenon and Consciousness

06:29 Understanding Microtubules

11:18 Quantum Mechanics and Microtubules

22:34 The Role of Microtubules in Consciousness

27:28 Astrobiology and the Origins of Life

33:22 COVID-19 and Microtubules

34:53 Introduction to Filopodia and COVID Mechanisms

36:47 Exploring Consciousness in Microtubules

37:49 Questioning the Neuronal Model of Consciousness

40:27 The Role of Microtubules in Consciousness

45:35 The Power of Intention and Healing

50:42 Personal Experiences with Chronic Pain and Healing

52:13 The Potential of Xenon in Healing

01:04:21 Concluding Thoughts and Resources

Key Insights

1. The Vagus Nerve and Consciousness: Sterling Cooley introduces the "Niemertin Vagus Nerve Origin Theory," exploring the vagus nerve as a significant player in human consciousness. Through his research, he posits that the vagus nerve may have untapped potential to influence states of consciousness when stimulated by ultrasound, suggesting a direct pathway between physical body processes and awareness.
2. Microtubules as a Model for Consciousness: Cooley discusses the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (ORCOR) theory, originally developed by Stuart Hameroff and Roger Penrose, which views microtubules as a potential site for consciousness within cells. This model contrasts sharply with the traditional neuronal view, arguing that consciousness could be emerging from sub-cellular structures, rather than solely from synaptic interactions.
3. Xenon’s Unexplored Role in Consciousness and Pain Relief: Throughout the conversation, Cooley explains his interest in xenon gas for its unusual effects on consciousness and physical pain. Known for its anesthetic properties, xenon interacts with microtubules in ways that could reveal more about how consciousness works at a cellular level. He shares personal experiences with xenon as profoundly healing and consciousness-expanding, a combination he believes could be used in new therapeutic models.
4. Gratitude Meditation and HRV Enhancement: Cooley recounts how a form of gratitude-based meditation has been shown to significantly raise Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a key indicator of autonomic nervous system balance. By coupling gratitude with anesthetics like ketamine, individuals may enter states of heightened well-being and healing, providing a bridge between subjective states and measurable physiological effects.
5. The Potential of Conscious Intention for Healing: Cooley suggests that if consciousness operates through microtubules, then conscious intention may have a tangible effect on physical healing. He speculates that specific mindsets, especially gratitude, could interact with bodily processes at a fundamental level. This view ties into long-standing yet often-dismissed ideas around the mind-body connection and its implications for health.
6. Quantum Mechanics and Cellular Intelligence: Discussing the quantum behavior of microtubules, Cooley points out their ability to interface with quantum-level processes. This quantum component, according to ORCOR, is where consciousness may arise and could allow cells to possess a form of “intelligence” or agency. This insight proposes a model of cellular life as potentially sentient, challenging conventional biological views.
7. The Commercial and Academic Resistance to New Theories of Consciousness: Finally, Cooley critiques the scientific community's resistance to non-traditional models of consciousness, attributing it to entrenched financial and academic interests. He suggests that the popular synaptic model persists due to its alignment with pharmacological approaches, which are lucrative but may overlook more holistic explanations of consciousness and agency.