The human brain is an intriguing organ. We are only beginning to uncover how the brain acquires knowledge, and we are discovering even more novel insights about one of the essential components of our body. For example, according to recent research, the human brain is nearly perpetually illuminating, and scientists remain uncertain as to why. However, they are eager to learn.
It’s peculiar to conceive of your brain radiating light, but nearly everything in existence emits photons in some form, signifying that everything is releasing a kind of light. Nevertheless, most often this illumination lies within a segment of the spectrum that is invisible to the human eye.
Concerning the human brain, investigators propose that the luminescence observed within the brain may arise from biomolecular interactions, which produce energy and consequently generate photons as a secondary effect. Therefore, the greater the energy consumption of the tissue, the more luminosity it exudes, indicating that the brain should shine brighter than all other tissues present in our bodies.
The researchers behind a recent study contend that the connection between this bioluminescence and brain function could suggest a more profound role for light within the brain. However, this concept isn’t entirely novel either. The role of biophotons in the human body, as well as their involvement in cellular communication, has been a topic of discussion for humans since at least the 1920s.
This is part of the reason why the researchers involved in this new study chose to focus significant attention on the brain. Upon detailed examination, they discovered that the brain does indeed emit light due to photon production when energy is expended. Moreover, they noticed that the amount of light is significantly more pronounced when measured directly within a living brain, compared to observing a few cells in a petri dish.
Certainly, this still does not reveal the precise function that biophotons serve in brain activity or cellular communication. However, it does offer us additional insights about the brain and provides scientists with another avenue to explore as they pursue deeper understanding.
