Our previous publication in “Life on the Earth” [7] was concerned with neuroactive substances in the capacity of new-generation pollutants exemplified by neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and biogenic amines. At low concentrations, these substances exert a growth-promoting effect on microalgae. The present work deals with the mode of action of extremely low concentrations (“trace amounts”) of neurotransmitters that comprises their antioxidant effects and the influence on the dynamics and rhythms of microalgal cultures’ development, i.e. on the succession of their age-related stages. Such neurotransmitters that can enter natural ecosystems with the wastewater of food, drug, and cosmetic industry, can be grouped into (1) substances that increase the unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) content in microalgal membranes, elevate the photosynthetic pigment concentration in the cells, and prolong the “youth” of microalgal cultures; and (2) substances that decrease the UFA content, reduce the photosynthetic pigment concentration, and, accordingly, accelerate the “aging” of microalgal cultures.

The constantly extending list of humankind-produced environmentally toxic compounds currently includes pharmacological preparations. Among them, of potential relevance are neurotransmitters including such biogenic amines as norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, and histamine, as well as acetylcholine. These neurotransmitters were tested in the present work using such model organisms as the green microalgae Chlorella vulgaris Beijer, Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) Breb. К-1149, and Haematococcus lacustris (= pluvialis) strains IPPAS H-239 and BM-1, as well as the cyanobacterium Limnospira platensis IPPAS B-256. It was established that all tested neurotransmitters significantly stimulate the growth of the cultures of microalgae at sufficiently low (micromolar) concentrations. In light of the results of this work, uncontrollable microalgal growth seems to be possible under the influence of trace amounts of neurotransmitters in natural and artificial water bodies, which might cause their eutrophication. All tested substances influenced the photosynthetic pigment content at micromolar (or submicromolar) concentrations, acetylcholine being a quasi-universal promoter of their biosynthesis that presumably stimulates the photosynthetic activity of the microalgae. The effects of the other tested substances varied depending on the microalgal species involved but predominantly resulted in promoting photosynthetic pigment biosynthesis. A biotechnological project aimed at stimulating the microalgal biomass yield by supplementing microalgal cultures with neurotransmitters seems to hold promise for producing drugs, food additives, or biofuel.

The article presents some prerequisites for the formation of a new theory of relations between species groups of mammals, including humans. Key elements of the theory are considered, including the connection between quantum decoherence in complex organic molecules and Jung’s postulates of the collective unconscious, with the extension of the latter to the possibility of explaining the paradox of instincts in higher animals. Data on experimental confirmation of the mechanism of wave function collapse in relation to living organisms are presented.

Vladimir Vernadsky’s scientific and philosophical legacy still holds much value for the present-day world. It is largely concerned with the potential importance of two decentralized structures which can efficiently function on our planet. These are (i) the biosphere, construed as an integral entity, and (ii) the noösphere, a planet-wide human brains-based “film”. A fascinating mystery is the mechanism of the biosphere’s coordination and stable operation; important evidence has recently been presented concerning the probable regulatory role of the biosphere-wide field of signal molecules (ecomones) which include many neurotransmitters. As for the currently developing noösphere, humankind still has to invent strategies of conscious managing its activities. It is suggested that the functioning of the decentralized global noöspheric network should be subject to regulation by social chaperones. This term refers to network structures which subtly guide and promote the activities of other decentralized network structures in society.