this post was submitted on 22 Feb 2026
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At what point do brain cells develop the complexity for consciousness? Is there a specific number of brain cells which produces self-awareness?
I have a difficult time believing that consciousness is some artifact that arises from material “complexity and structure”, and tend towards the nondual view of reality.
But that is just my opinion, and what makes consciousness such a fascinating subject imo.
I don't think it's the number of cells inasmuch it's the connectedness. A baby has as many, if not more than you, and yet they're dumb. They're learning.
I think it's safer to go by when childhood amnesia disappears, and that's when the pruning process of removing unnecessary connections and adding other ones, has sufficently advanced. To the point that it slows down, and memories can stay for much longer.
That's generally around 3 to 6 years of age, or 36-72 months after birth. On average, 56 months (4.7 years).