- Near-death and psychedelic experiences were debated as purely natural, brain-based hallucinations versus gateways to “other dimensions,” with skepticism toward using non-lucid states as evidence for anything beyond internal brain activity.  
- Roger Penrose’s microtubule-quantum-consciousness hypothesis was sharply criticized for lacking empirical support: critics demanded proof that (1) superpositions occur in vivo, (2) they are computationally relevant, (3) they influence neural behavior, and (4) consciousness algorithms actually require quantum speed-ups.  
- A new cobalt-crystal hemoglobin substitute was proposed for engineered red blood cells to dramatically extend breath-holding time and reduce ischemic damage, citing a 2014 RSC paper showing O₂-binding affinities comparable to myoglobin.  
- Channel members shared links on emerging biotech: semaglutide (Ozempic/Wegovy) overdose risks, AI-driven “text-to-CAD” design tools, artificial-womb progress, and a Nature paper on a stem-cell model of the post-implantation human embryo.  
- Discussion of DMT’s popularity in consciousness research noted its short half-life and speculative endogenous pineal synthesis, but one experienced psychonaut reported ~50–100 trips and found DMT qualitatively similar to other classical psychedelics, questioning its special status.