Consciousness and inward electromagnetic field interactions.

Frontiers in human neuroscience · 2022 · Unclear · Insufficient evidence

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UnclearInsufficient evidencePaper 5719

The article discusses electromagnetic field (EMF) theories of mind/brain integration and argues that early experimental evidence thought to rule out a role for EMFs in brain activity was misinterpreted. It proposes an alternative view intended to help direct …

Study snapshot

PublicationFrontiers in human neuroscience · 2022

Study typereview

Reported directionUnclear

Evidence ratingInsufficient

Abstract

Electromagnetic field (EMF) theories of mind/brain integration have been proposed to explain brain function for over seventy years. Interest in this theory continues to this day because it explains mind-brain integration and it offers a simple solution to the "binding problem" of our unified conscious experience. Thus, it addresses at least in part the "hard problem" of consciousness. EMFs are easily measured and many corelates have been noted for field activity; associated with loss and recovery of consciousness, sensory perceptions, and behavior. Unfortunately, the theory was challenged early on by experiments that were thought to have ruled out a role of EMFs in brain activity, and the field of neuroscience has since marginalized EMF theories. Here I explain why early evidence against EMFs contributing to consciousness was misinterpreted and offer an alternative view to help direct future research.

Machine Enhanced Logic

AI evidence extraction

Structured fields below were generated from the paper’s abstract and metadata to make the evidence easier to inspect. Automated extraction may be incomplete or incorrect; verify important details against the original paper.

Study typereview

Effect directionunclear

PopulationNot supplied

Sample sizeNot supplied

ExposureNot supplied

Evidence strengthInsufficientConfidence: 74% · Peer reviewed: yes

Main findings

Outcomes measured

consciousness
mind-brain integration
binding problem
sensory perceptions
behavior
loss and recovery of consciousness

Limitations

Narrative/review-style argument; no specific new experimental data, sample size, or exposure parameters described in the abstract
No specific frequencies, dosimetry (e.g., SAR), or measurement protocols provided in the abstract

View raw extracted JSON

{
  "study_type": "review",
  "exposure": {
    "band": null,
    "source": "brain/neuronal electromagnetic fields (endogenous)",
    "frequency_mhz": null,
    "sar_wkg": null,
    "duration": null
  },
  "population": null,
  "sample_size": null,
  "outcomes": [
    "consciousness",
    "mind-brain integration",
    "binding problem",
    "sensory perceptions",
    "behavior",
    "loss and recovery of consciousness"
  ],
  "main_findings": "The article discusses electromagnetic field (EMF) theories of mind/brain integration and argues that early experimental evidence thought to rule out a role for EMFs in brain activity was misinterpreted. It proposes an alternative view intended to help direct future research on EMFs and consciousness.",
  "effect_direction": "unclear",
  "limitations": [
    "Narrative/review-style argument; no specific new experimental data, sample size, or exposure parameters described in the abstract",
    "No specific frequencies, dosimetry (e.g., SAR), or measurement protocols provided in the abstract"
  ],
  "evidence_strength": "insufficient",
  "confidence": 0.74,
  "peer_reviewed_likely": "yes",
  "keywords": [
    "electromagnetic field theories",
    "consciousness",
    "mind-brain integration",
    "binding problem",
    "hard problem of consciousness",
    "neuroscience",
    "field activity correlates"
  ],
  "suggested_hubs": []
}

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AI-extracted fields are generated from the abstract and metadata and may be incomplete or incorrect. This material is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.

Identifiers and source

DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2022.1032339
PubMed: 36466618

Read the original paper →