The theory of psychic quanta: a quantum model for the unity of individual consciousness.
Andrea Tallarico
Frontiers in Psychology May 21, 2026 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1792921 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Near-death experience |
| Keywords | Panpsychism Quantum consciousness Iit Orch-or Consciousness field Past-lifememories Psychic quanta |
| Key points | Proposes that consciousness arises from informational quanta of a universal non-local psychic field that anchor to coherent brain systems, rather than being produced by the brain. |
Abstract
The Theory of Psychic Quanta (TPQ) postulates the existence of a universal non-local psychic field whose quantized excitations—termed informational quanta (analogous to qubits) —anchor to coherent brain systems to generate individual consciousness as a phenomenological unit. According to this model, the brain does not produce consciousness in an emergentist sense; rather, it acts as a bidirectional biophysical interface that stabilizes the informational quantum without generating it. This reciprocal interaction maintains experiential coherence from biological birth until the cessation of brain activity, at which point the quantum disanchors and reintegrates into the diffuse psychic field. TPQ incorporates temporal dynamics where subjective time emerges from quanta superposition collapse , unifying linear neural processing with atemporal field states. This model integrates recent updates to contemporary informational panpsychism, the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch-OR) theory and Integrated Information Theory (IIT), predicting specific neurophilosophical correlates such as gamma synchronization (40–100 Hz) and inter-individual affective resonance. Predictions include EEG protocols for NDE gamma surges and past-life memory imprints in children. The theoretical implications include reinterpretation of psychological wellbeing as maximum phase coherence between the individual quantum and the universal field, explanation of non-local emotional communication between minds, and empirically verifiable predictions regarding neural patterns during empathic interactions, NDEs, telepathic intuition , and post-mortem awareness. Finally, TPQ proposes a resolution to Chalmers’ “hard problem” of consciousness (1995) through dual ontology integrating physical-material and psychic-informational domains.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on near-death experience, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Otherworld Journeys: Accounts of Near-Death Experience in Medieval and Modern Times | 1987 | Historical analysis | |
| Neuroscience and the Near-Death Experience: Roles for the NMSA-PCP receptor, the sigma receptor and the endopsychosins | 1990 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Implications of near-death experiences for a postmaterialist psychology. | 2010 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-Death Experience as a Probe to Explore (Disconnected) Consciousness | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Near-death experiences between science and prejudice | 2012 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 4
- Consciousness in the universe: a review of the 'Orch OR' theory. March 1, 2014
- AWARE-AWAreness during REsuscitation-a prospective study. Resuscitation October 7, 2014
- Surge of neurophysiological coherence and connectivity in the dying brain. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences August 27, 2013
- My Double Unveiled Advances in Consciousness Research October 12, 2001