Quantum considerations of neural memory

To explain how a mental state can be achieved and remembered by cells employing inanimate components, some have called on quantum mechanics (QM, including quantum chemistry, quantum physics and quantum field theory) to provide an explanatory rationale. In that context, we consider how the terms “uncertainty,” “entanglement” and “memory” are defined by physicists and neuroscientists, as they have different meanings for each discipline. Emotions are core existential states for neural nets. But QM is incapable of formulating such. Following the opinion of Medawar³⁷: “Chemistry is the only physical science which offers a pathway to understanding animate biology.” We review a tripartite mechanism with neurotransmitters (NTs), as providing an explanatory process which clarifies the molecular underpinnings of neural memory and emotions.