Send a text

See the episode substack to go deeper

We venture deep into the intersection of quantum physics and biology to uncover a revolutionary possibility: that life itself operates as a quantum computing system of staggering capacity. 

Drawing from Philip Kurian's groundbreaking research on the computational power of living organisms, we explore how the humble amino acid tryptophan forms networks that harness quantum superradiance, potentially enabling processing speeds billions of times faster than traditional models suggest. 

Could these quantum networks explain the brain's remarkable capabilities and offer breakthroughs for treating neurodegenerative diseases?

Even more provocatively, calculations suggest all eukaryotic life throughout Earth's history has performed computational operations on a scale approaching the square root of the entire universe's capacity.

This isn't just biological curiosity—it's a paradigm shift that could revolutionize our understanding of consciousness, inspire new quantum technologies, and forever change how we view the boundary between computing and life.

Ultraviolet Superradiance from Mega-Networks of Tryptophan in Biological Architectures

Quantum effects in life: Cells compute information billion times faster than we thought

Quantum fiber optics in the brain enhance processing, may protect against degenerative diseases

This is Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy

Independent, moderated, timely, deep, gentle, clinical, global, and community conversations about things that matter.  Breathe Easy, we go deep and lightly surface the big ideas.

Support the show

Disclosure: This podcast uses AI-generated synthetic voices for a material portion of the audio content, in line with Apple Podcasts guidelines.

We make rigorous science accessible, accurate, and unforgettable.

Produced by Michelle Bruecker and Scott Bleackley, it features reviews of emerging research and ideas from leading thinkers, curated under our creative direction with AI assistance for voice, imagery, and composition. Systemic voices and illustrative images of people are representative tools, not depictions of specific individuals.

We dive deep into peer-reviewed research, pre-prints, and major scientific works—then bring them to life through the stories of the researchers themselves. Complex ideas become clear. Obscure discoveries become conversation starters. And you walk away understanding not just what scientists discovered, but why it matters and how they got there.

Independent, moderated, timely, deep, gentle, clinical, global, and community conversations about things that matter. Breathe Easy, we go deep and lightly surface the big ideas.

Spoken word, short and sweet, with rhythm and a catchy beat.
http://tinyurl.com/stonefolksongs