[Tomassci (OP)]

What makes me ME? My DNA? Do bacteria in me count as "me"? I am not seeking philosphical answers (but mention is nice), but biological. Thanks for answering.

[Kryptid]

Unfortunately, I don't think this question can be addressed without some reference to philosophy or at least semantics. In the loosest since, you could say that your entire body and all of the metabolic processes involved in it (bacteria included) are "you". In a more strict sense, you could say that your conscious awareness alone is "you" and as such your brain is the bare minimum component that you are made of.

[jeffreyH]

The idea of you is a rather complex one. Cells divide, die and are replaced. The nervous system extends throughout the body and can be thought of as an extension of the brain. The bacteria that live within us are often necessary for our survival. It could be said that we are a colony of interdependent bacteria that survive and reproduce through cooperation. It isn't an easily definable system.

[Rajneesh]

It's a great question to ask yourself while on psychedelics - the answers you find may surprise you.

[chiralSPO]

I know you claim to seek biological answers (in which case "we" are each complex ecosystems--composed of many types of bacteria, mitochondria, and "human" cells), but I wish to provide a physiochemical picture as well:

"You" are an arrangement of matter in steady state equilibrium (homeostasis).

The electrons, and to a lesser but still very large extent, atomic nuclei within "your" body are constantly exchanged with the outside world, so there is no particular "piece of you" that is only "you."

Instead, it is the way that the matter is organized and interacting, which is preserved quite well despite each piece having been swapped out a billion times over (more than that for some parts, and less for others).

[annie123]

I have often heard people who have tried psychedelics (where do they get them?) say they lose all sense of self and are 'one' with everything - but it seems they are conscious of losing their sense of self and recognizing this while under the influence so what is doing the recognition?
And at what stage is one's  existence when suffering from Altzheimers, or any other disease where to the onlooker the 'person they knew' has gone?  I had a relative who became certified insane  and when I visited I was visiting a stranger- so was this a new person, or just a new arbitrary configuration of brain cells that presented newly to the world, in which case there seems to be no consistent entity that exists that cannot be reconfigured by a change in something physical- or modification with drugs. All boils down, I suppose, to the mystery of consciousness which religions try to explain but always end up with resorting to faith- ie trust without evidence - which is not  an answer. Perhaps there isn't one.

[Rajneesh]

Fresh Air podcast with Michael Pollan was a good podcast delving into some of these questions.

'Reluctant Psychonaut' Michael Pollan Embraces The 'New Science' Of Psychedelics on npr.org

[diverjohn]

Yes this is a rather hazy question.
In my opinion, WE are defined by the interaction of our genetic code with our environment.
One could post a question in a similar vein: "How will I be remembered after my funeral?". The answers could include any published articles, my DNA residing inside my children, and the impact upon my social circle.

[RD]

[Clendrina]

Well, I am not a scientist but I will just answer what I feel. We all know that even our cell component like nucleus was once an independent microorganism. We are just a massive collection of cells which are cooperated with each other. When we are still alive, every tiny electric current between electron, proton, and neutron inside us and every single strand of DNA define "What is us". There is the alternate version which is not related to the biology of course. What defines you is what you act, what you said, what is your behavior as specific human. That makes you " The you" different from other humans. Although you died, " you" will still alive in others mind in different ways depends on "What type of (you) you are. For example, the way people remember Gandi and Hitler. It's different. So what is really you depend on you for what you act while you are alive.

[mrsmith2211]

 Consciousnesses is the only reason you can ask the question. My thought consciousness  is an epiphenomenon. Certainly self awareness is related to brain function, but the connection is not understood at this point.