Quantum Physics Relevance to Psychiatry

Since the early 1900’s, physics has gone a silent revolution, the heart of which lies the idea of quantum mechanics. We now understand the predictions based on classical or Newtonian physics to be incomplete. Given the complexity and minute scale of neuronal and mental phenomena, it is suggestive to reconsider these issues in the light of newer insights from quantum physics. We present an overview of similar philosophical questions in this paper. A systematic literature search for ideas pertaining to quantum physics was carried out on the electronic search resources using various subject headings. Relevant articles were selected for review. A wide selection of original literature from quantum physics was reviewed as well a search for ideas relevant to psychiatry. The quantum paradigm can be very helpful in developing an understanding of psychic and mental processes. It might potentially explain some empirical neuro-psychiatric findings. There is a need for psychiatric profession to incorporate non-classical ideas from other fields of science in their thinking and research.