BACKGROUND: Quantum biology has shown that selected biological processes depend on quantum effects, including coherence, tunnelling, and spin-dependent reactions. In parallel, quantum imaging now uses entangled photons to extract biological information at low photon flux. Early evidence that biological tissue can alter photon entanglement in disease-associated ways raises a translational question: whether decoherence itself can become a diagnostic signal. RATIONALE: Addiction is a disorder of reward-circuit function in which current imaging can define anatomy and network activity but cannot resolve molecular-scale information processing in affected tissue. This review asks whether emerging quantum-biological and entangled-photon approaches could, in the long term, provide a new way to interrogate addiction-relevant neural states. CONTENT: This structured narrative review, informed by SANRA criteria and conducted across seven databases, synthesises evidence across five domains: quantum biology, entangled-photon imaging, decoherence-based tissue discrimination, addiction neuroscience, and quantum-theranostic concepts. Evidence supports quantum effects in selected living systems, with the strongest support for enzymatic tunnelling and more qualified evidence for radical-pair magnetoreception. The photosynthetic case, once the field's flagship, remains contested. Quantum imaging has demonstrated low-light biological imaging and proof-of-concept disease discrimination in ex vivo tissue through entanglement-decoherence signatures. No evidence currently demonstrates a decoherence signature of addiction or supports clinical quantum theranostics. CONCLUSION: This review proposes a falsifiable translational hypothesis that remains to be established empirically: disease-associated decoherence signatures may represent a biological information channel, with reward-circuitry disorders such as addiction providing a clinically meaningful future test case. A staged research programme is outlined, progressing from ex vivo replication to living neural preparations, physical feasibility testing, addiction-relevant models, and only then to therapeutic perturbation.
BACKGROUND: Quantum biology has shown that selected biological processes depend on quantum effects, including coherence, tunnelling, and spin-dependent reactions. In parallel, quantum imaging now uses entangled photons to extract biological information at low photon flux. Early evidence that biological tissue can alter photon entanglement in disease-associated ways raises a translational question: whether decoherence itself can become a diagnostic signal. RATIONALE: Addiction is a disorder of reward-circuit function in which current imaging can define anatomy and network activity but cannot resolve molecular-scale information processing in affected tissue. This review asks whether emerging quantum-biological and entangled-photon approaches could, in the long term, provide a new way to interrogate addiction-relevant neural states. CONTENT: This structured narrative review, informed by SANRA criteria and conducted across seven databases, synthesises evidence across five domains: quantum biology, entangled-photon imaging, decoherence-based tissue discrimination, addiction neuroscience, and quantum-theranostic concepts. Evidence supports quantum effects in selected living systems, with the strongest support for enzymatic tunnelling and more qualified evidence for radical-pair magnetoreception. The photosynthetic case, once the field's flagship, remains contested. Quantum imaging has demonstrated low-light biological imaging and proof-of-concept disease discrimination in ex vivo tissue through entanglement-decoherence signatures. No evidence currently demonstrates a decoherence signature of addiction or supports clinical quantum theranostics. CONCLUSION: This review proposes a falsifiable translational hypothesis that remains to be established empirically: disease-associated decoherence signatures may represent a biological information channel, with reward-circuitry disorders such as addiction providing a clinically meaningful future test case. A staged research programme is outlined, progressing from ex vivo replication to living neural preparations, physical feasibility testing, addiction-relevant models, and only then to therapeutic perturbation.
Quantum science and biology now intersect in three complementary directions: quantum in biology, quantum for biology, and biology for quantum. This review provides a structured narrative evidence map of that interface rather than an exhaustive catalogue or formal systematic review. For each topic, we ask what the mechanistic or technological claim is, which quantum resource is invoked, what the strongest experiments and models establish, which classical alternatives or engineering confounds remain competitive, and what decisive tests or benchmarks would most strongly change confidence. The most mature quantum-in-biology cases remain mechanistically constrained tunneling in some enzymatic hydrogen-transfer reactions and radical-pair spin chemistry as a viable framework for magnetoreception, whereas several higher-visibility topics remain suggestive but unresolved under physiological conditions. In quantum for biology, the central issue is whether quantum-enabled tools improve biological inference relative to strong classical baselines under realistic calibration, dose, throughput, and uncertainty constraints. In biology for quantum, the strongest claims arise when biomolecular structure or self-assembly measurably improves fabrication, integration, or robustness in quantum devices. Summary tables in the Appendix provide a compact cross-map view of the current evidence, major confounds, and the experiments or benchmarks most likely to discriminate between competing explanations.
BACKGROUND: Key biological processes underlying health and disease-including electron transfer, redox regulation, and radical-mediated signaling-are fundamentally governed by quantum-mechanical principles. These processes are central to mitochondrial function, metabolism, and cellular signaling, yet their biomedical implications have remained difficult to address using classical computational approaches. RATIONALE: Recent advances in quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum machine learning enable direct simulation and measurement of quantum phenomena in biologically relevant systems. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, such as the Variational Quantum Eigensolver and Quantum Phase Estimation, now provide first-principles access to redox potentials, electronic couplings, and spin-dependent reactions that are directly linked to disease mechanisms. These developments establish the foundation for quantum biomedicine as a translational framework bridging molecular physics and clinical medicine. CONTENT: This review synthesizes current progress in the application of quantum technologies to biomedicine, emphasizing translational relevance. We discuss quantum-informed modeling of cancer metabolism and redox rewiring, protein misfolding in neurodegenerative diseases, immune and inflammatory signaling, infectious disease mechanisms, and drug discovery. We further propose a Quantum-Experimental-Clinical (QEC) pipeline that integrates quantum simulations with experimental validation and multi-omics clinical data, enabling mechanistic interpretation of disease phenotypes and identification of redox- and spin-sensitive therapeutic targets. CONCLUSION: Quantum biomedicine introduces a new mechanistic layer that links electronic-scale processes to clinical phenotypes. While current implementations are constrained by NISQ-era hardware, rapid advances in quantum algorithms and sensing technologies position quantum approaches as emerging tools in precision and translational medicine. Strategic integration of quantum methods with experimental and clinical workflows may accelerate biomarker discovery and therapeutic development. KEY POINTS: Quantum biomedicine redefines life as a dynamic equilibrium sustained by quantum coherence, tunnelling and redox resonance. Hybrid quantum-classical algorithms, such as VQE and QPE, enable first-principles modelling of redox and spin-dependent reactions with near-experimental accuracy. NISQ-era hardware supports proof-of-concept simulations of electron tunnelling and radical-pair dynamics, bridging computation with measurable biophysics. Integration of quantum simulations with spectroscopy and cryo-EM establishes a quantum-experimental-clinical (QEC) pipeline linking theory, experiment and medicine. Ethical, educational and governance frameworks are essential for equitable, transparent and sustainable implementation of quantum health technologies.
Abstract The lines separating Biology and Physics have started to blur in recent decades, leading to the emergence of the interdisciplinary field known as quantum Biology. This field looks into the possibility that basic quantum mechanical phenomena such as coherence, entanglement, tunneling, and superposition play crucial roles in biological processes that are beyond the scope of classical Physics. Biology has traditionally worked within the parameters of classical mechanics, presuming that delicate quantum effects cannot endure in the warm, humid, and cacophonous environments of living systems. But new findings in fields like photosynthesis, olfaction, avian magnetoreception, and enzyme catalysis indicate otherwise, suggesting that living things intentionally and possibly advantageously use quantum principles. From the earliest speculative theories to the most recent experimental confirmations, this book chapter methodically examines the evolution of quantum Biology. We investigate how the exceptionally high energy transfer efficiency in photosynthetic complexes particularly in the light-harvesting proteins of green sulfur bacteria and plants is supported by quantum coherence. The remarkable speed of proton transfers and enzymatic reactions during DNA replication is also investigated in relation to quantum tunneling. The chapter explores magnetoreception in migratory birds and suggests models in which sensitivity to Earth's geomagnetic field is made possible by radical pair mechanisms influenced by quantum entanglement. We also discuss the intriguing but controversial idea that quantum vibrations improve the human olfactory system's capacity for discrimination. In addition to examining particular occurrences, this research challenges more general theoretical models that seek to balance quantum mechanics with the decoherence commonly observed in biological settings. Recent developments in quantum information theory, biomimetic quantum technologies, and ultrafast spectroscopy are highlighted as essential instruments advancing empirical research. We also critically evaluate the field's methodological difficulties, the skepticism of overly optimistic interpretations, and the significant philosophical ramifications of acknowledging life as a quantum phenomenon. In conclusion, quantum Biology suggests that quantum effects are not uncommon aberrations but rather are an essential part of life, offering not only a fresh perspective for reinterpreting well-known biological processes but also the potential for a fundamental paradigm shift. Quantum biology has the potential to completely transform biotechnology, medicine, and our comprehension of consciousness and the origin of life as experimental methods advance. This chapter highlights the significance of interdisciplinary cooperation in order to completely comprehend the latest discoveries and possible future paths of quantum Biology, highlighting its revolutionary influence on our comprehension of life at the most basic levels. Key words: Quantum Biology, tunneling, avian magnetoreception, enzyme catalysis
The question of whether quantum mechanical phenomena play a functional role in brain activity and the emergence of consciousness remains one of the most controversial yet intellectually stimulating debates at the intersection of physics, neuroscience, and philosophy of mind. This review systematically examines the principal theoretical frameworks proposing quantum-level mechanisms in neural computation, including the Orchestrated Objective Reduction (Orch OR) hypothesis by Penrose and Hameroff, the quantum brain hypothesis of Stapp, quantum coherence models in microtubules, and quantum field theories of consciousness. We critically evaluate the current state of empirical evidence—including recent quantum biology findings, the challenge of decoherence in warm, biological systems, and experimental observations of quantum effects in biological systems—alongside computational models that bridge quantum formalism and neural network dynamics. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of quantum cognition models for understanding perception, decision-making, and memory. Despite significant scientific skepticism, emerging evidence from quantum biology and advanced neuroimaging technologies provides tentative support for quantum processes in neural substrates. We conclude by identifying critical gaps in current knowledge and outlining future research directions that may resolve the debate, including proposals for experimental paradigms using quantum sensing technologies applied to neural tissue. This review aims to serve as a foundational reference for researchers across disciplines approaching the quantum mind hypothesis with scientific rigor.
Background: Quantum biology is an emerging interdisciplinary field that explores how principles of quantum mechanics-such as superposition, entanglement, tunneling, and collapse-may influence biological phenomena.Initially speculative, it now offers concrete explanations for complex life processes, prompting a re-evaluation of biology at the quantum scale.Method: This is a narrative review based on an analysis of peer-reviewed literature from indexed journals.Key biological processes were examined in the context of quantum principles.Applications in virology, microbiology, neuroscience, and pharmacology were explored.Discussion: The integration of quantum mechanics into drug discovery and personalized medicine is reshaping therapeutic approaches.Quantum computing promises accelerated simulations of molecular interactions and enzyme dynamics.Quantum dot-based therapies and diagnostics are enhancing precision medicine.The role of superradiance and quantum coherence in neuroprotection, particularly in Alzheimer's disease, is gaining research traction.Techniques such as photodynamic therapy (PDT) and repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) are being reconsidered through the lens of quantum biology.Conclusion: Quantum biology bridges quantum mechanics and life sciences, offering novel explanations for long-standing biological mysteries.Despite significant experimental challenges-especially in warm, complex biological environments-the field is advancing through ultrafast spectroscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, and quantum simulations.Continued interdisciplinary collaboration and technological innovation are essential to validate these quantum-biological interactions.Ultimately, quantum biology holds the potential to revolutionize our understanding of life, leading to groundbreaking developments in neuroscience, pharmacology, and precision medicine.
Medical imaging, a cornerstone of modern diagnostics that underpins early disease detection and personalized therapy, continues to confront fundamental physical limitations inherent to conventional modalities, including suboptimal sensitivity and specificity, limited resolution, and ionizing radiation risks. Quantum imaging, leveraging principles such as entanglement, superposition, and quantum sensing, has emerged as a transformative paradigm with the potential to transcend these limitations. This review systematically summarizes the physical principles, technological advancements, and major clinical applications of quantum technologies in medical imaging. We elaborate on several cutting-edge modalities, including quantum dot probes for targeted imaging and surgical navigation, wearable magnetoencephalography facilitated by optically pumped magnetometers, quantum-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with nanoscale resolution, quantum optical coherence tomography with dispersion cancellation, photon-counting computed tomography for superior spectral imaging, and nuclear medicine imaging that can visualize the molecular microenvironment. Additionally, the roles of quantum computing and quantum artificial intelligence in accelerating and optimizing the image analysis workflow are also discussed. Furthermore, we analyze the technical bottlenecks and translational barriers that currently hinder the widespread clinical implementation of these emerging technologies. Finally, we outline promising future research directions to accelerate clinical translation, underscoring the transformative potential of quantum medical imaging to advance precision diagnostics and personalized medicine.