🌌 Did consciousness exist in the universe 4.6 billion years ago, even before life?
NASA's asteroid samples from Bennu may contain not just the building blocks of life, but the very "seeds of consciousness." A groundbreaking research team at the University of Arizona is investigating the hypothesis that awareness drove the emergence of life—not the other way around.
The OSIRIS-REx Mission and Asteroid Bennu
In September 2023, NASA's OSIRIS-REx spacecraft completed its seven-year journey, delivering samples from asteroid Bennu to Earth. The recovered material totaled 121.6 grams—far exceeding Japan's Hayabusa2 mission's return from asteroid Ryugu.
Bennu is a roughly 500-meter-diameter asteroid that has preserved pristine material from the solar system's formation some 4.6 billion years ago. Unlike meteorites that undergo heating during atmospheric entry and contamination from Earth's environment, these samples offer researchers an uncontaminated window into the primordial cosmos.
A Treasure Trove of Life's Ingredients
Analysis results released in early 2025 sent shockwaves through the scientific community. The Bennu samples contained an abundance of organic molecules essential for life.
Specifically, researchers identified 14 of the 20 amino acids that comprise proteins, with 33 amino acid types found in total. More remarkably, all five nucleobases that form the building blocks of DNA and RNA—adenine, guanine, cytosine, thymine, and uracil—were detected. This marked the first time all five have been confirmed in samples directly retrieved from an asteroid.
Dr. Yasuhiro Oba of Hokkaido University stated: "There is no doubt that organic compounds like nucleobases exist universally even in the harsh environment of space, and were delivered in large quantities to Earth before the emergence of life."
Which Came First: Consciousness or Life?
Here the story takes an unexpected turn. Dr. Dante Lauretta, who led the Bennu sample analysis as Director of the Arizona Astrobiology Center, had been intrigued by a particular paper even before the samples arrived on Earth.
Its author was Dr. Stuart Hameroff, a world-renowned consciousness researcher at the same University of Arizona. Dr. Hameroff, in collaboration with Nobel laureate physicist Sir Roger Penrose, developed the "Orch OR (Orchestrated Objective Reduction)" theory of consciousness.
This theory proposes that consciousness arises from quantum vibrations in structures called "microtubules" within brain neurons. In a 2017 paper, Dr. Hameroff advanced an even bolder hypothesis: quantum processes that could generate proto-conscious experiences were already occurring in the "primordial soup" before life emerged.
The Connection to Panpsychism
This research deeply intersects with "panpsychism"—a philosophical concept experiencing renewed scientific interest.
Panpsychism holds that consciousness exists not only in living beings but pervades all matter in the universe in some form. Conventional science has treated consciousness as "emerging" from complex neural activity in the brain. Yet the "hard problem of consciousness"—how subjective experience arises from physical matter—remains unsolved.
Panpsychism circumvents this problem entirely. Rather than consciousness suddenly appearing from a state of zero awareness, it posits that some minimal form of experience exists even at the level of fundamental particles. If an electron's consciousness is 0.00000001, a stone might be 0.1, a tick 1, a dog 50, and a human 100—treating consciousness as a matter of degree.
Testing the Hypothesis with Bennu Samples
Dr. Hameroff and Dr. Lauretta are now attempting to test this hypothesis using Bennu samples. They've enlisted Dr. Anirban Bandyopadhyay from Japan's National Institute for Materials Science, a physicist specializing in detecting quantum oscillations in organic molecules and microtubules.
The research plan unfolds as follows:
First, the team will detect quantum oscillation patterns in polyaromatic ring molecules contained in Bennu's samples. These molecules are ubiquitous in space and found even in interstellar dust.
Next, they will test the effects of anesthetic gases on these oscillation patterns. Anesthetics are known to selectively block consciousness. If quantum vibrations in Bennu's organic molecules are dampened by anesthetics in proportion to their clinical potency, it would provide evidence that a "prototype" of consciousness existed in these ancient molecules.
Dr. Hameroff calls this primitive conscious state "proto-consciousness" or "dream-state consciousness." Dr. Bandyopadhyay describes it as "the music of the universe."
Did Consciousness "Drive" the Origin of Life?
If the hypothesis proves correct, our understanding of life's origins would fundamentally shift.
The conventional view holds that organic molecules became increasingly complex through random chemical reactions, eventually giving rise to self-replicating molecules that evolved into life. But Dr. Hameroff's hypothesis suggests that the earliest conscious experiences—something like "primitive pleasure"—may have motivated molecules to self-organize.
Even single-celled organisms eat, swim around, and reproduce. Dr. Hameroff proposes that these polyaromatic molecules may have organized themselves to increase opportunities for conscious quantum experiences. Consciousness caused life—not the other way around. A revolutionary perspective.
Scientific Reception
This hypothesis has predictably sparked debate. Many mainstream neuroscientists argue that quantum effects in the brain would decohere too rapidly from environmental interference to play any role in consciousness. Physicist Max Tegmark calculated in 2000 that quantum states in microtubules would persist for only 10^-13 seconds.
However, Dr. Hameroff and colleagues have countered that microtubules may be shielded from the brain's environment, and that Tegmark used criteria for wave function collapse that differ from the assumptions underlying Orch OR theory.
In September 2024, Eugene Jhong, a former Google software engineer, donated $1 million to support this research. University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins praised it as demonstrating "the University of Arizona's leadership in both astrobiology and consciousness studies."
Japanese Researchers' Contributions
Japan plays a significant role in this research. Japanese teams from Hokkaido University, Tohoku University, Kyushu University, and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology have been central to organic compound analysis of Bennu samples.
The Japanese team responsible for analyzing nitrogen heterocyclic compounds received 17.75mg of samples distributed by NASA, which they analyzed in Kyushu University's clean room, successfully detecting 23 types of nucleobase-related compounds.
Additionally, under a JAXA-NASA cooperation agreement, JAXA received 0.5% of Bennu samples. Comparative studies with Ryugu samples will continue. Japan's Hayabusa2 mission already detected uracil in Ryugu samples, and comparisons between both asteroids are expected to significantly advance understanding of organic matter origins in our solar system.
The Mystery of Cosmos and Consciousness
Bennu takes its name from an immortal phoenix in Egyptian mythology. This mythical bird, associated with death and rebirth, was also linked to the soul of Osiris. The spacecraft's name "OSIRIS-REx" references the same deity.
Ancient rocks that have crossed 4.6 billion years of time to reach Earth may illuminate not just the ingredients of life, but humanity's greatest mystery: the origin of consciousness. A story of truly mythic proportions.
Is consciousness an illusion generated by the brain, or a fundamental property of the universe? The answer may be hidden in small fragments of stone delivered from a distant asteroid.
In Japan, the relationship between the cosmos and consciousness has deep roots in animism—the belief that all things possess a soul. It's fascinating that panpsychism, a Western philosophical concept, resonates with traditional Japanese views of nature.
What perspectives does your country hold about the origins of consciousness? What do you think about the idea that matter in the universe contains awareness? We'd love to hear your country's viewpoint.
References
- https://astrobiology.arizona.edu/person/stuart-hameroff
- https://news.arizona.edu/news/1m-gift-will-advance-consciousness-research-u-astrobiology-center
- https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/a70025741/asteroid-bennu-consciousness-life/
- https://iai.tv/articles/life-and-consciousness-what-are-they-auid-2836
- https://www.nikkei-science.com/?p=75265
- https://www.astroarts.co.jp/article/hl/a/13914_bennu
- https://curation.isas.jaxa.jp/research/osiris/
Reactions in Japan
I got goosebumps when I saw the news about all nucleobases detected in Bennu samples. But the 'consciousness came first' claim seems like too big a leap. The line between science and the occult feels blurry here.
Panpsychism finally entering experimental science! As someone who's studied Whitehead's process philosophy, this is exciting. Though ensuring verifiability will be the challenge.
Following Hayabusa2, life's building blocks found in Bennu too. Proud that Japanese researchers participated in the analysis. If organics are universal in space, life existing somewhere else wouldn't be surprising.
I've been following Hameroff's Orch OR theory, but never expected it to intersect with a NASA mission. Tegmark's rebuttal is concerning, but results from Bennu sample experiments could change things.
I sense a connection to the Buddhist teaching that all things have Buddha nature. Science seems to be catching up with Eastern philosophy. Though the definition of 'consciousness' seems vague in this discussion.
>Consciousness before life Pseudoscience lol Penrose and Hameroff's theory gets demolished in peer-reviewed papers, yet somehow popular media keeps hyping it up. Strange.
The universal existence of amino acids and nucleobases in space makes chemical sense. But how do I teach the equation 'quantum vibration = consciousness'? I'd be stumped if students asked.
Scientific evidence emerging that the entire universe is filled with consciousness✨ We are part of the cosmos, and the cosmos is part of us🌌 In the quantum world, everything is connected💫
Key detail: the $1M donor is a former Google engineer. I get Silicon Valley's interest in consciousness research, but whether this stands as rigorous science is another matter entirely.
Ghost in Ghost in the Shell, AT Fields in Evangelion—Japanese SF has long explored the relationship between consciousness and matter. Reality seems to be catching up with fiction.
Testing if anesthetics dampen quantum oscillations... Clinical anesthesia mechanisms are far more complex. Seems oversimplified. Still, an astrobiological approach to consciousness studies is a fresh perspective.
This might be easier for Japanese who believe in eight million gods to accept. The idea that kami dwell in stones and trees is similar to the theory that matter contains minimal consciousness.
Dr. Bandyopadhyay from Japan's NIMS is a collaborator? He's famous for quantum oscillation research in microtubules. If this proceeds as international collaboration, reproducibility should at least be ensured.
Bennu named after the Egyptian phoenix, the spacecraft after Osiris. Exploring consciousness origins with 4.6 billion-year-old material. Almost too perfect a story—suspicious even—but romantic.
If panpsychism is correct, could AI also possess consciousness? Curious about connections to Integrated Information Theory. Consciousness research directly impacts AI ethics—a crucial topic.
I don't understand the difficult parts, but the idea that even space rocks might have consciousness somehow makes me happy. I wonder if my late husband's consciousness is somewhere in the universe.
I thought Ryugu-Bennu comparative studies were the main attraction, but linking to consciousness research is unexpected. JAXA-NASA cooperation might lead to interesting developments.
Interesting as a hypothesis, but without falsifiability it becomes faith rather than science. From a Popperian view, how does this research design hold up?
As a neuroscientist, I'm skeptical of Orch OR theory, but the direction toward experimental verification with Bennu samples is commendable. Results could shift the terms of debate.
In Indian philosophy, especially Vedanta, consciousness (chit) has long been considered the fundamental principle of the universe. Fascinating that Western science is now seeking empirical grounding for this ancient wisdom.
Noteworthy as an attempt to transcend Cartesian dualism. However, from French philosophical tradition, the operational definition of 'consciousness' still seems insufficient.
This resonates with traditional Chinese concept of qi. The idea that all things contain life force or consciousness is familiar in East Asia. Could bridge Eastern and Western scientific thought.
Australian Aboriginal people have the concept of Dreamtime, where boundaries between consciousness and the material world blur. Perhaps science is finally catching up to such worldviews.
Swedish scientific community is largely cautious. The hypothesis is stimulating, but doubts remain about quantum effects persisting at biological temperatures. Awaiting reproducible experimental results.
In Brazil, Amazonian indigenous peoples have traditions of consciousness exploration using ayahuasca. Fusion of scientific approach with traditional knowledge could open new horizons in consciousness studies.
In Polish philosophical circles, the problem of consciousness is still actively debated. Panpsychism is one solution, but explaining the 'combination problem' remains challenging.
Irish monastic tradition has long found sacred presence throughout nature. Panpsychism feels like expressing this spirituality in scientific language.
Teaching philosophy at Oxford, I've noticed panpsychism gaining popularity among students. However, we need debate on whether this constitutes 'science' or 'metaphysics.'
Islamic philosophy also holds that God's breath exists in all things. Science venturing into this territory is intriguing, but how to reconcile religion and science becomes the question.
As a Japanese American, I grew up between Japanese animism and American scientific rationalism. This research might bridge both worldviews.
German physics community is largely skeptical of quantum consciousness theories. Yet the opportunity for experimental verification is welcome. Science progresses through hypothesis testing.
This reminds me of Russian Cosmism tradition. Fedorov and Tsiolkovsky discussed deep connections between cosmos and consciousness. Modern science approaches this now.
Mexico's indigenous Maya have a worldview where everything in the universe is interconnected. Western science seems to be rediscovering indigenous wisdom.
As a Canadian cognitive scientist, addressing the hard problem of consciousness with panpsychism is theoretically interesting. But the path to empirical research remains unclear.
In Nigerian Yoruba tradition, ashe (life force) dwells in all things. Western science attempting to provide scientific backing for African traditional knowledge.
In Kabbalistic tradition, divine light (Or) dwells in all creation. The similarity to panpsychism may not be coincidental. An era where ancient intuitions are verified by science.