Journal of the American Philosophical Association
January 1, 2018
Itay Shani, Joachim Keppler
88 citations
A novel variant of cosmopsychism is proposed, the view that ordinary conscious experiences are ultimately grounded in an all-pervading cosmic consciousness. The approach uses stochastic electrodynamics (SED) as its physical foundation, supplemented by insights from eastern philosophy and wisdom traditions. Cosmic consciousness is identified with the vacuum state of quantum field theory, from which ordinary consciousness dynamically emerges. The authors argue that this framework is well suited to address problems of phenomenal constitution, particularly concerning the qualities and structure of experience and the generation of subjects.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
February 17, 2022
Edward James, Joachim Keppler, Ben Sessa et al.
41 citations
Ayahuasca and its active compound DMT show potential for treating depression, addictions, PTSD, anxiety, and certain immune system conditions. These substances bind to multiple brain receptors, including serotonergic, glutaminergic, and sigma-1 receptors, and affect BDNF expression and the dopamine system. Subjective effects correspond to increased delta and theta brain waves in the amygdala and hippocampus, decreased alpha waves in the default mode network, and activation of visual brain regions. Although biological and consciousness-based models attempt to explain these effects, evidence remains insufficient for firm conclusions. More research is needed to clarify mechanisms and develop accessible treatments, with recommended collaboration between healthcare researchers and Amazonian practitioners.
Frontiers in Psychology
August 3, 2018
Joachim Keppler
31 citations
Consciousness arises from the brain's interaction with a universal background field, the zero-point field (ZPF), according to a theoretical framework grounded in stochastic electrodynamics. In the extroverted, stimulus-oriented mode, the brain writes persistent information states into the ZPF during theta cycles to produce streams of consciousness. In the introspective mode, linked to default mode network activity, the brain reads and filters ZPF information states during alpha cycles, enabling the sense of self and memory retrieval. Meditative practices and psychedelics detune this filter, preventing self-referential states and dissolving the ego, while allowing access to a wider spectrum of ZPF modes and expanded consciousness.
Front Hum Neurosci
April 10, 2026
Joachim Keppler
A theory of consciousness (TOC) should be judged by its predictive and explanatory power. Physicalism, which treats consciousness as reducible to physical processes, can achieve high predictive power but fails to explain why conscious states arise. Non-physicalism, which treats consciousness as fundamental and irreducible, offers clear advantages for developing a powerful TOC. The analysis makes a strong case for a paradigm shift from physicalism to non-physicalism, which would not discard neuroscientific theories but reinterpret neurophysiological indicators of consciousness within a broader context.
Human Psychopharmacology Clinical and Experimental
March 17, 2022
Edward James, Joachim Keppler, Thomas L. Robertshaw et al.
No Summary
Frontiers in human neuroscience
January 1, 2025
Joachim Keppler
Conscious states are linked to long-range synchronized brain activity patterns that arise from phase transitions and exhibit self-organized criticality. This article connects these neurophysiological features to quantum electrodynamics (QED), which explains the origin of such transitions. A key QED component is the fluctuating electromagnetic zero-point field (ZPF). Model calculations suggest that resonant interaction of the ZPF with the glutamate pool of cortical microcolumns initiates phase transitions, producing macroscopic quantum effects that modulate ion channel activity and regulate neuronal firing rates.
Frontiers in human neuroscience
January 1, 2024
Joachim Keppler
Conscious states are linked to synchronized neural activity patterns that exhibit self-organized criticality and phase transitions. This article argues that the brain initiates phase transitions and forms synchronized activity patterns by coupling to the zero-point field (ZPF), the ubiquitous vacuum fluctuations of the electromagnetic field described by quantum electrodynamics. Model calculations suggest that critical brain dynamics arises from resonant interaction between the ZPF and the neurotransmitter glutamate, with pyramidal neurons in cortical microcolumns controlling this interaction. This resonant coupling amplifies specific ZPF modes, and the theory, named TRAZE, proposes that phenomenal qualities correspond to these amplified modes. An experimental setup is proposed to test the prediction that disrupting resonant glutamate-ZPF coupling eliminates normal conscious perceptions.
Frontiers in Psychology
January 10, 2020
Joachim Keppler
Declarative memory functions are inextricably linked with phenomenal awareness because the brain acts as a write–read head interacting with the zero-point field (ZPF) specified by stochastic electrodynamics. The ZPF is hypothesized to be an immanently sentient medium whose field modes each carry a phenomenal nuance; phase-locked coupling of modes forms a ZPF information state that amalgamates elementary shades of consciousness into a complex state. Conscious memory processes differ from unconscious ones by features of many-body quantum systems such as long-range coherence and attractor formation, supported by empirical evidence.
Annals of palliative medicine
January 1, 2018
Joachim Keppler
Hypnotic analgesia arises because the brain shifts into an altered operating mode that blocks synchronization of spatially separated regions, preventing a dolorogenic stimulus from generating the conscious experience of pain. A novel theoretical framework treats consciousness as a fundamental property of the universe, positing that all phenomenal qualities are embedded in the frequency spectrum of a ubiquitous background field. In the normal operating mode, the brain acts as a filter extracting those qualities from the field; in the hypnotic state, extraction is partially prevented. Thus, hypnotic analgesia results from impairment of the fundamental mechanism underlying conscious perception.