There are two kinds of phenomena at work in brains, waves and quanta effects, neurotransmitters that cross synapses. The wavy stuff enters the brain from the world outside and ends up as packets of chemicals or quanta. In physics, “quanta” refers to the smallest unit used to measure a physical property and to a particular amount of anything. There is confusion, for example, about light that sometimes behaves like waves and other times like particles. Signals in the brain can have a two-phase description. Neuronal signals are sent along axons by a waveform and then converted into quantum signals using neurotransmitters. The waveform is usually described as ‘electrical or electronic” although the transmission is different from the oscillation and flow of electrons along a wire. The human who takes Prozac to modify his or her brain function is changing the chemistry and quantum mechanics of the brain. The mystic who goes to the forest to meditate and enjoy bird songs is modifying his or her brain function by changing the wave mechanics of the brain. A change in quantum mechanics, of course will lead to a change in wave mechanics and visa versa.

The overall activity of signals passing through neuronal networks can be compared with information processed by electronic circuits. The waveform is produced by charged ions moving across the cell membrane. A wave of sodium and potassium ions moving across neuronal membranes is  thought of as the action potential. The effect of the action potential is to trigger the release of neurotransmitters in the synapses connect the sending axons to the receiving cells at multiple contact points.

Human Brain in Health and Disease

Serotonin Synapse

The strength of a transmitted signal in synapses is influenced by the amount of neurotransmitter released and by how long it remains in the synaptic cleft. Two classes of molecules on the surface of the releasing cell influence quanta activity in the synapse: autoreceptors and transporters. Complex negotiations occur in the synapses about what signal will be sent for how long and what changes will occur to the sending and receiving neuron. The autoreceptor is activated by neurotransmitter molecules in the synapse that signal the sending cell to reduce its firing rate and its release of the transmitter. The sending neuron is responsible for the synthesis and storage of transmitters and is regulated by the feedback signals it receives. The postsynaptic neuron may send messages back to influence synaptic recycling. Cannabinoids and nitric oxide (NO), have been identified, for example, as retrograde signals involved in synapse formation, maintenance and plasticity. [i]

There is no easy comparison between the systems in the brain and the operation of any other device or system.  The descriptions of synapses have grown increasingly detailed and the complexity of neural systems is daunting even to the brightest, best informed researchers.  I use the term “quantum mechanics” playfully and do not mean to suggest that quantum physics is useful to describe synaptic events. Indeed, I not a fan of speculation that suggests a relationship between quantum physics and brain processes that create mind. The operations of living systems are adequately described by chemistry; electrons are key players in life, but it is sufficient to think of electrons as rather well-behaved, negatively-charged particles that hold atoms together in molecular structures. The relative movement of electrons on the surface of neurons is the basis of neural transmission, but no-one knows how to write wave equations for neural networks.

Neurotransmitter science has continued to grow in complexity. When I was first studying neurotransmitters, there were five chemicals to consider: acetylcholine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine and serotonin. Histamine was soon added to the list, then several amino acids such as glycine and glutamine joined the group.  A legion of peptides has been described in the dual roles of hormones and neurotransmitters. Three gases, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen disulphide are neurotransmitters. The discoveries of three gases at work in the nervous system was surprising, especially since all three gases are considered to be air pollutants and potentially toxic. We now know that amino acids are the most abundant neurotransmitters in the brain. Nichols suggested: “amino acids synapses exceed those of all the other neurotransmitters combined…amino acids are responsible for almost all the fast signaling between neurons, leaving predominantly modulatory roles for the other transmitters.” [ii] 

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