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The Electromagnetic Brain: EM Field Theories on the Nature of Consciousness
An exploration of cutting-edge theories on the electromagnetic basis of consciousness
• Details, in nontechnical terms, 12 credible theories, each published by prominent professionals with extensive scientific credentials, that describe how electromagnetic fields may be the basis for consciousness
• Examines practical applications of electromagnetic-consciousness theory, including the use of contemporary brain stimulation devices to modify and enhance consciousness
• Explores the work of William Köhler, Susan Pockett, Johnjoe McFadden, Rupert Sheldrake, Ervin Laszlo, William Tiller, Harold Saxton Burr, Sir Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff, Mari Jibu, Kunio Yasue, Karl Pribram, Alfred North Whitehead, and James Clerk Maxwell, as well as the author's own theories
In this scientific exploration of the origin of consciousness, Shelli Renée Joye, Ph.D., explores 12 credible theories, each published by prominent professionals with extensive scientific credentials, that describe how electricity in the form of electromagnetic fields is the living consciousness that runs through the brain. Each of these theories supports the idea that the electromagnetic field itself is the basis of consciousness and that this source of consciousness peers out into the space-time universe through our human sensory systems, flowing with awareness throughout the bloodstream and nervous system. Following her exploration of electromagnetic-consciousness theories, Joye then examines practical applications, describing how electric fields might be manipulated and controlled to modify and enhance the operation of consciousness in the human brain. She explores the use of contemporary brain stimulation devices that offer benefits such as decreased addiction cravings and anxiety, reduced depression and chronic pain, enhanced mathematical abilities, accelerated learning, and greater insight during mindfulness meditation.
Revealing the cutting edge of consciousness studies, Joye shows that consciousness is not an isolated function of the individual brain but is connected to the larger electromagnetic field that not only encompasses the entire physical universe but also is deeply involved in the creation of matter and the material world.
• Details, in nontechnical terms, 12 credible theories, each published by prominent professionals with extensive scientific credentials, that describe how electromagnetic fields may be the basis for consciousness
• Examines practical applications of electromagnetic-consciousness theory, including the use of contemporary brain stimulation devices to modify and enhance consciousness
• Explores the work of William Köhler, Susan Pockett, Johnjoe McFadden, Rupert Sheldrake, Ervin Laszlo, William Tiller, Harold Saxton Burr, Sir Roger Penrose, Stuart Hameroff, Mari Jibu, Kunio Yasue, Karl Pribram, Alfred North Whitehead, and James Clerk Maxwell, as well as the author's own theories
In this scientific exploration of the origin of consciousness, Shelli Renée Joye, Ph.D., explores 12 credible theories, each published by prominent professionals with extensive scientific credentials, that describe how electricity in the form of electromagnetic fields is the living consciousness that runs through the brain. Each of these theories supports the idea that the electromagnetic field itself is the basis of consciousness and that this source of consciousness peers out into the space-time universe through our human sensory systems, flowing with awareness throughout the bloodstream and nervous system. Following her exploration of electromagnetic-consciousness theories, Joye then examines practical applications, describing how electric fields might be manipulated and controlled to modify and enhance the operation of consciousness in the human brain. She explores the use of contemporary brain stimulation devices that offer benefits such as decreased addiction cravings and anxiety, reduced depression and chronic pain, enhanced mathematical abilities, accelerated learning, and greater insight during mindfulness meditation.
Revealing the cutting edge of consciousness studies, Joye shows that consciousness is not an isolated function of the individual brain but is connected to the larger electromagnetic field that not only encompasses the entire physical universe but also is deeply involved in the creation of matter and the material world.
- GenresPsychologyScience
320 pages, Paperback
Published November 17, 2020
24 people are currently reading
52 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 23, 2020
In The Electromagnetic Brain, Shelli Joye bravely bridges science and alternative views by revealing the intersection of consciousness studies. Consciousness is much more than just an isolated function of the individual brain and its neurophysiological activities. Joye’s thorough research shows that consciousness is linked to the electromagnetic field that not only encompasses the entire universe but is deeply involved in its creation of matter and the material world. This is a wonderful book for anyone who likes a deeper understanding of how everything in our world is interrelated.
July 31, 2025
For me, this book wasn't about the nature of consciousness, it was about how an individual brain tunes into a nano-part of cosmic consciousness. By analogy, one could work how a radio tunes into music, but it would not say anything about the music.
The theories put a lot of emphasis on the Fourier transform. Some years ago, I wrote a FORTRAN program to do a Fourier analysis and then do a reconstruction. I never really got the significance of the transform.
The theories put a lot of emphasis on the Fourier transform. Some years ago, I wrote a FORTRAN program to do a Fourier analysis and then do a reconstruction. I never really got the significance of the transform.
December 19, 2022
The Electromagnetic Brain is like an encyclopedia of the currently (2018) existing electromagnetic field theories of consciousness. These include: Pockett's electromagnetic field theory, McFadden's conscious electromagnetic information field, Sheldrake's morphogentic fields, Laszlo's akasha-dimension, Tiller's k*Space, Burr's electric fields of life, Penrose-Hameroff's microtubules bringing consciousness from the quantum, Whitehead's electromagnetic occasions, Pribram's holonomic brain theory, Bohm's holoflux in the implicate order, and finally the author's own sub-quantum holoflux theory of consciousness. Impressively, Dr. Shelli Renée Joye is able to communicate all this to a wider audience by keeping jargon and overly difficult ideas out of the recipe.
Originally, Dr. Joye had studied electrical engineering, and her whole approach toward understanding consciousness is guided by this. Her stories about becoming interested in consciousness transmit excellently the fun she's had, and the excitement she's felt while on her quest. Near the start of the book she shares an entertaining story about how experimenting with psychedelics pushed her even further to wanting to understand the nature of consciousness. She wrote:
“...now it quickly dawned on me that here was a fascinating goal, here in this new and intense focus--one of trying to understand what consciousness might be and how it might “work” according to physics and engineering principles.
Here lay an area rich with potential new discoveries, real mysteries that had not yet been uncovered by modern science. As an engineer, I realized that even a partial solution to the phenomenon might lead to the construction of previously unimaginable electronic devices for amplifying consciousness that might radically enhance communication, provide new modes of entertainment, and perhaps even amplify and refine intelligence, perception, memory recall, and emotional sensation. Ultimately one might even be able to communicate with the strange and innumerable alien entities I had encountered during each of the many psychotropic explorations.” The Electromagnetic Brain, p.xix
Having passionately chosen this path, she began looking for courses to study. She looked at the psychology departments at universities but they were strictly focused on behavioralist psychology. She looked to see what physicists, electric engineers and biologists had to say about consciousness, but they apparently ignored it completely. She was finally recommended by a friend to go to philosophy school for this, but again was let down and found that "their methodologies depended primarily on verbal logic and involved none of the hard-science laboratory approaches." Her passion wasn't psychology, nor philosophy, nor strictly engineering, her mind and heart yearned to figure out the mechanics and the science of consciousness!
“The Electromagnetic Brain bridges the world of consciousness research with physics, electrical engineering, and stories about those exploring human consciousness. These approaches to an understanding of electromagnetic fields of consciousness are presented with fascinating biographies, references, and numerous diagrams to reveal new frontiers of research.” ― Lauren Palmateer, Ph.D., electrical engineer
In the author's own words, this book does exactly that, it "...provides insight into the assertion that consciousness, in all of its modes ( e.g., thinking, dreaming, remembering, and the more esoteric modes of self-awareness induced by contemplative techniques or the ingestion of entheogenic substances) operates primarily through the modulation of multidimensional electromagnetic energy fields in space-time."
This book has been a super special read for me! Firstly, because the subject matter is central and fundamental to my own research. I read it shortly after publishing Celestial Music: Mind, Sentience, and Divine Tales. But also, because I very much resonate with so much about the author--her experience working with radio, her love for science fiction, her deep-probing imagination and curiosity, her dedication to consciousness science, her balanced dual-wielding of a scientifically-dense yet charmingly-available mind, and her appreciation of Eastern philosophy and mystical experiences. All these we share, and if a number of these resonate with you, then I am sure this book is also for you!
Thank you, Dr. Joye for all your love and hard work!
Originally, Dr. Joye had studied electrical engineering, and her whole approach toward understanding consciousness is guided by this. Her stories about becoming interested in consciousness transmit excellently the fun she's had, and the excitement she's felt while on her quest. Near the start of the book she shares an entertaining story about how experimenting with psychedelics pushed her even further to wanting to understand the nature of consciousness. She wrote:
“...now it quickly dawned on me that here was a fascinating goal, here in this new and intense focus--one of trying to understand what consciousness might be and how it might “work” according to physics and engineering principles.
Here lay an area rich with potential new discoveries, real mysteries that had not yet been uncovered by modern science. As an engineer, I realized that even a partial solution to the phenomenon might lead to the construction of previously unimaginable electronic devices for amplifying consciousness that might radically enhance communication, provide new modes of entertainment, and perhaps even amplify and refine intelligence, perception, memory recall, and emotional sensation. Ultimately one might even be able to communicate with the strange and innumerable alien entities I had encountered during each of the many psychotropic explorations.” The Electromagnetic Brain, p.xix
Having passionately chosen this path, she began looking for courses to study. She looked at the psychology departments at universities but they were strictly focused on behavioralist psychology. She looked to see what physicists, electric engineers and biologists had to say about consciousness, but they apparently ignored it completely. She was finally recommended by a friend to go to philosophy school for this, but again was let down and found that "their methodologies depended primarily on verbal logic and involved none of the hard-science laboratory approaches." Her passion wasn't psychology, nor philosophy, nor strictly engineering, her mind and heart yearned to figure out the mechanics and the science of consciousness!
“The Electromagnetic Brain bridges the world of consciousness research with physics, electrical engineering, and stories about those exploring human consciousness. These approaches to an understanding of electromagnetic fields of consciousness are presented with fascinating biographies, references, and numerous diagrams to reveal new frontiers of research.” ― Lauren Palmateer, Ph.D., electrical engineer
In the author's own words, this book does exactly that, it "...provides insight into the assertion that consciousness, in all of its modes ( e.g., thinking, dreaming, remembering, and the more esoteric modes of self-awareness induced by contemplative techniques or the ingestion of entheogenic substances) operates primarily through the modulation of multidimensional electromagnetic energy fields in space-time."
This book has been a super special read for me! Firstly, because the subject matter is central and fundamental to my own research. I read it shortly after publishing Celestial Music: Mind, Sentience, and Divine Tales. But also, because I very much resonate with so much about the author--her experience working with radio, her love for science fiction, her deep-probing imagination and curiosity, her dedication to consciousness science, her balanced dual-wielding of a scientifically-dense yet charmingly-available mind, and her appreciation of Eastern philosophy and mystical experiences. All these we share, and if a number of these resonate with you, then I am sure this book is also for you!
Thank you, Dr. Joye for all your love and hard work!
June 14, 2025
Absolutely amazing book. A true complex systems approach to theories of consciousness. She has the ideal background of breadth of knowledge in key areas - neurophysiology, electrical engineering, quantum physics, mathematics, and philosophy.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews