Uploaded January 2021 | Updated September 2026, 5 hours ago
A vivid discussion revolves around the role of the human mind in the quantum measurement process. While some authors argue that conscious observation is a necessary element to achieve the transition from quantum to classical states during measurement, some go even further and propose a more active influence of the human mind on the probabilities of quantum measurement outcomes. This proposition was tested in micro-Psychokinesis (micro-Pk) research in which intentional observer effects on quantum random number generators (RNGs) were investigated. In the studies presented here we extended this line of research and tested the impact of unconscious goals on micro-Pk. Our focus was cigarette addiction as an unconscious drive and we hypothesized that regular cigarette smokers would influence the outcome of a quantum RNG that determined whether the participant was going to see a smoking-related or a neutral picture. While a first study showed strong evidence for a micro-Pk effect, a replication attempt failed to reproduce the results. When the data from both studies are combined a remarkable change in effect across time (resembling a combination of appearance followed by decline) can be seen only in the smoker’s subsample. Appearance-and-decline effects were absent in the non-smokers sample and in a simulation. Based on von Lucadou’s Model of Pragmatic Information we suggest that (micro-)Pk effects follow a systematic pattern comparable to a dampened harmonic oscillation. Although micro-Pk effects seem to elude a classical proof, an analysis and prediction of their temporal change might proof to be a promising workaround.
Bio: Moritz Dechamps studied Psychology in Munich, Germany. He wrote his Master’s thesis about Retrocausal influence on psychological effects and engaged in research on quantum mind models in the process. Excited by this fascinating topic he decided to further explore the connection between mind and matter while doing a PhD at the LMU Munich. During these last 3 years he focused mainly on micro-psychokinetic research and conducted experiments on the influence of psychologically motivated observers on quantum random number generators.
Recorded at the Society for Scientific Exploration Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada 2018.
Special thanks to our Patreon Explorers for providing the support we need to keep our video content freely available online: Dr. CMC Toporow, Kathleen Erickson, Mark Crewson, Mark Urban-Lurain, Roger Nelson, Gene Thomas, and Sandy Wiener.
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The SSE provides a forum for original research into cutting edge and unconventional areas. Views and opinions belong only to the speakers, and are not necessarily endorsed by the SSE.
A vivid discussion revolves around the role of the human mind in the quantum measurement process. While some authors argue that conscious observation is a necessary element to achieve the transition from quantum to classical states during measurement, some go even further and propose a more active influence of the human mind on the probabilities of quantum measurement outcomes. This proposition was tested in micro-Psychokinesis (micro-Pk) research in which intentional observer effects on quantum random number generators (RNGs) were investigated. In the studies presented here we extended this line of research and tested the impact of unconscious goals on micro-Pk. Our focus was cigarette addiction as an unconscious drive and we hypothesized that regular cigarette smokers would influence the outcome of a quantum RNG that determined whether the participant was going to see a smoking-related or a neutral picture. While a first study showed strong evidence for a micro-Pk effect, a replication attempt failed to reproduce the results. When the data from both studies are combined a remarkable change in effect across time (resembling a combination of appearance followed by decline) can be seen only in the smoker’s subsample. Appearance-and-decline effects were absent in the non-smokers sample and in a simulation. Based on von Lucadou’s Model of Pragmatic Information we suggest that (micro-)Pk effects follow a systematic pattern comparable to a dampened harmonic oscillation. Although micro-Pk effects seem to elude a classical proof, an analysis and prediction of their temporal change might proof to be a promising workaround.
Bio: Moritz Dechamps studied Psychology in Munich, Germany. He wrote his Master’s thesis about Retrocausal influence on psychological effects and engaged in research on quantum mind models in the process. Excited by this fascinating topic he decided to further explore the connection between mind and matter while doing a PhD at the LMU Munich. During these last 3 years he focused mainly on micro-psychokinetic research and conducted experiments on the influence of psychologically motivated observers on quantum random number generators.
Recorded at the Society for Scientific Exploration Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada 2018.
Special thanks to our Patreon Explorers for providing the support we need to keep our video content freely available online: Dr. CMC Toporow, Kathleen Erickson, Mark Crewson, Mark Urban-Lurain, Roger Nelson, Gene Thomas, and Sandy Wiener.
Want to support our commitment to open access scientific research? Become a patron yourself: patreon.com/user?u=23234339
Or take your support of our 501(c)(3) nonprofit even further by becoming an SSE member: scientificexploration.org/join
The SSE provides a forum for original research into cutting edge and unconventional areas. Views and opinions belong only to the speakers, and are not necessarily endorsed by the SSE.
