Although quantum mechanics is fundamental for understanding molecular mechanisms in physics and chemistry, it has usually been assumed to be unimportant for understanding molecular mechanisms of biological systems. However, there is increasing evidence that quantum mechanics is important for understanding some biological phenomena, such as energy transfer in photosynthesis, navigation by birds using the earth's magnetic field, and electron and hydrogen tunneling in biochemical reactions. There have also been proposals that quantum mechanics may help explain aspects of brain function.
Recently a new model for how the brain may store and process quantum information has been proposed (Fisher, 2015). The model includes specific biochemical components that could be employed for quantum processing in glutamatergic neurotransmission. It has potential relevance for molecular mechanisms underlying normal neural function, such as glutamatergic dependent neurocognitive systems, as well as psychiatric treatments such as lithium.
Citation: Weingarten, C. P., Doraiswamy, P. M., & Fisher, M. P. (2016). A New Spin on Neural Processing: Quantum Cognition. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 10, 541. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2016.00541