The Role of Mitochondria in Consciousness and Cognition: New Insights from Feelings of Knowing-fundamental Interoceptive Patterns Theory

" This chapter proposes that mitochondrial activity gives rise to a “cognitive force” linked to consciousness and interoception. The updated feelings of knowing-fundamental interoceptive patterns (FoK-FIP) theory holds that mitochondrial gene expression and energy production emit the cognitive force, or the bioenergetic perception underlying cognition. Further, through cellular frameworks, electromagnetic radiation occurs. According to the FoK-FIP theory, electromagnetic radiation is a form of consciousness. In this approach, the various physical components of mitochondria play different roles in consciousness and cognition. Through mitochondrial thermodynamics, the theory’s constructs can be studied with empirical measures and research. The discussion section explores the connection between mitochondrial thermodynamics and the theory’s constructs, as well as their measurement." {Credits 1}

" According to the FoK-FIP theory, consciousness refers to electromagnetic radiation (EMR) produced through cellular frameworks. The FoK-FIP theory’s version of EMR consciousness has aspects that correlate broadly with other theoretical models of consciousness [32]. The conceptualization of EMR consciousness includes mitochondria generating electromagnetic fields. For example, the mitochondrial membrane potential is associated with a strong electromagnetic field. In the context of this model, the mitochondrial network’s ion and electron gradients are crucial for maintaining the integrity and function of EMR consciousness. In cellular frameworks represented by animals, the collective firing of neurons allows communication through electrical impulses. In this process, electromagnetic fields are created and modeled as part of EMR consciousness. Notably, the central nervous system is believed to have evolved under the control of genes that are often conserved both structurally and functionally [33]. Research findings indicate that the central nervous system evolved from the skin of invertebrates. This suggests consciousness originated in the body’s (rather than the brain’s) physiologic makeup [34]." {Credits 1}

" The FoK-FIP theory suggests that awareness is a current. As such, the concept of “current” is an idea that broadens the physics concept of “current”, such as that produced in a wire. Based on the theory, awareness current is a nonphysical phenomenon connected with an electrical potential difference. Integral to awareness current is the inner mitochondrial membrane, a continuous equipotential structure [36]. As implied by the theory, the inner membrane stores the oxidation energy of respiratory substrates as electrical potential and the potential for awareness. In this process, the inner membrane acts as a coupling membrane. It can generate an electric potential, which is coupled to awareness. As part of this process, the movement of electric charges generates low-frequency magnetic fields. The theory models these to represent FIP. This modeling adds a new dimension to discussions about the effects of low-frequency magnetic fields on mental function [37, 38]. Notably, magnetic fields created by a single mitochondrion are extremely small and therefore not directly measurable outside the cell. However, through interconnected mitochondria, an aggregated activity within a tissue might produce detectable low-frequency magnetic fields." {Credits 1}

" The wavefront associated with cellular frameworks represented by animals (humans and non-human) refers to electromagnetic fields that connect the brain and other body structures. In the brain and spinal cord, mitochondria are intricately interrelated through the wavefront. Notably, the spinal cord neurons (nerve cell bodies and their neurites) are considerably more concentrated than elsewhere in the body [33]. Key concepts about the wavefront include: (a) it is generated through mitochondrial dynamics, and (b) it is not the primary means of communication between the brain and spinal cord. Instead, the wavefront serves as a system for cognitive broadcasting by the cognitive force. As such, the wavefront allows signals derived from the electromagnetic field to be broadcast cognitively. Further, the initial stages of cognitive broadcasting involve the cognitive force radiating through the wavefront. It does this before binding to parts of the electromagnetic field." {Credits 1}

" The FoK-FIP theory assumes that mitochondria exhibit observable random motion, which is produced by “thermal motion.” As such, thermal motion is intimately linked with the “perceiver” (or “observer”), the cognitive force. Notably, a phonon can be thought of as a discrete unit of vibrational energy [74]. It is a quantum of energy associated with the vibrational motion of atoms [75]. In this modeling, phonons are used to describe the collective vibrations of mitochondrial atoms. Phonons, therefore, are “particles” of heat within mitochondria. Through the previously described wavefront, a relationship exists between nanoscale-range phonon scattering and cognitive broadcasting events." {Credits 1}

{Credits 1} 🎪 Pollard-Wright, H., & T. Wright, M. (2025). The Role of Mitochondria in Consciousness and Cognition: New Insights from Feelings of Knowing-fundamental Interoceptive Patterns Theory. IntechOpen. doi: 10.5772/intechopen.1012466. © 2025 The Authors. This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.