The Bioenergetics of Emotion & Feelings

We are living in the world of Emojis, the emotional cues that complement our present communications mode and are rapidly entering the transformative era of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Human emotions play a key role in advancements of AI and technology is continuously evolving to measure, understand and simulate human emotions to make it more intuitive and empathetic. Emotion is defined as an affective state triggered by perceived or recalled external stimuli. Emotions then serve to arouse or motivate our behavioral pattern. The manifestations of emotions include sadness, joy, fear, anger and disgust. Have we ever wondered about the underlying principles of manifestations of human emotions like I am running out of steam, or I am on Cloud nine, or butterflies in the stomach? The famous evolutionary biologist Dr. Nick Lane shares his insightful perspective on the scientific basis of human emotions and consciousness at the inaugural consciousness and Reality colloquium for the 2024-2025 series. Dr. Lane explores the electromagnetic signals generated across the membrane from the thousands of tiny powerhouses called mitochondria (Figure 1) within the living cell during respiration to derive energy currency of the cell as ATP. Lane’s innovative approach utilizing the principles of Electrophysics to conceptualize the theory which sets apart animate cells from inanimate matter. Furthermore, he applies the similar principle to address how external stimuli lead to the origin of information and how this information is relayed through the energy house of living cell through the process of transfer of electrons and protons across the membranes of the cell. The expert opines the persuasive case on the mechanism of stimulus empowering our brain to power the emotions. In context to his recent book, “The Transformer, deep chemistry of Life and death” Dr. Lane eludes within the realm of biology and explains on how the process of natural selection sifts through random differences, favoring subtle emotions, eliminating what doesn't, work generation after generation. 

Utilizing the innovative approach of simple anesthetics such as Isoflurane and sevoflurane that disrupt spin polarization and slow down respiration (Rodriguez et al., 2025).(https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/biochimica-et-biophysica-acta-bba-bioenergetics) Dr. Lane embarks on the exciting journey to understand the basis of several human disorders linked to mitochondrial dysfunction. He studies disruption of mitochondrial function using anesthetics. He studies how cristae in mitochondria, which form tube like structures of 1-2 micrometer diameter in size generates electrical charge on membrane 100-200 mV through chiral induced spin selectivity.

One of the fundamental findings of his research is based on the principle that biological activity is unrelated to structure, and it is not all about molecular interactions. The energetics of life cannot be explained at the cellular spatial or structural level but based on electromagnetic field generated at the cellular membrane interface. He explains that mitochondrial membrane acts as interface between cellular membrane receptive to the external stimuli and the inner cellular metabolism. This is found to be central to prokaryotes and lower cellular organisms and over the course of time these structures were acquired by multicellular eukaryotes including humans.

Dr. Lane measures the membrane potential differences between cytosol and matrix through lipophilic cations dyes. He explains how mitochondria generate energy through the influx of protons and synchronization of electron transfers at the cristae. Life is powered by the Kreb cycle occurring in the cristae of mitochondria through proton circuit which drives ATP synthesis through nano turbines in form of ATP synthase (Figure 2).

As described by Dr. Lane, that feeling is the electromagnetic state, as a result of which neuronal membrane function could be ascertained to the function of mitochondrial potential and that could be linked to electroencephalograph (EEG). The activities of the outside world are perceived by the cellular organisms which switches the inner cellular metabolism depending on the stimulation, that sparks billions of reactions generating membrane potential, membrane push and pull, synchronized orientation of the cristae in mitochondria resulting in changes in gene expression, leading to the snap decision making. Based on Dr. Nick lane’s perspective on the importance of genetic information and gene expression is of less relevance compared to electric potential changes across the membranes. According to Dr Lane's viewpoint, the importance of genes is unquestionable, as there is no difference in the information content of a living protozoan and one that died a moment ago. The difference between being alive or dead lies in energy flow, in the ability of cells to continually regenerate themselves from simpler building blocks.

As the coins have two complementary sides, we have genetic information imprinted in a cell and on the other intricate cellular structures and energy metabolism which are so interdependent on each other. The two interdependent processes could be put into perspective when we seek the goal of their coherence is the survival of the living entity. With this note sharing the ideas of the leading scientist that put into perspective the higher state of human consciousness side by side. The famous scientist behind International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium and the author of the Book: “The language of God” alludes that the genetic information is an instructional script, a software program, sitting in the nucleus of the cell. Another side of the coin is Dr. Lane’s perspective, where according to him genes and information do not determine the innermost details of our lives. Rather, unceasing flow of energy and matter through a world in perpetual disequilibrium conjures the genes themselves into existence and still determines their activity in our information-soaked lives. Comprehending these two complementary thought processes certainly points towards the higher state of consciousness that there is something which is empowering both the processes. 

We could conclude with the words of Carl Sagan, American astronomer, that if we lived on a planet where nothing ever changed, there would be little to do. There would be nothing to figure out. There would be no impetus for science. And if we lived in an unpredictable world, where things changed in random or very complex ways, we would not be able to figure things out. But we live in an in-between universe, where things change, but according to patterns, rules, or as we call them, laws of nature. And so, it becomes possible to figure things out and we can do science and improve our lives. With the note of the principles of electromagnetic membrane potential at the mitochondria, present at the interface of external and the cellular environment, the speaker shed important light on the orientation of mitochondria cristae towards the plasma membrane in neuronal cells compared to other organs in the body. He answered in response to the question on how the external physical state of the body leads to a particular reaction. Dr. Lane concluded his interesting talk with a quote that the “future of biology lies in understanding the physics of the cell compared to chemistry of the cell”. With this new paradigm in cell biology there will soon the path to an emotional AI system that will spark the next level of understanding of human feelings and consciousness.