Consciousness is often described as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, sensations, thoughts, and surroundings. It involves a complex interplay of perception, cognition, and self-awareness. Philosophically, consciousness is considered the subjective experience of "what it feels like" to be a sentient being.

From a scientific perspective, consciousness is associated with neural activity in the brain, particularly in regions like the prefrontal cortex, which are involved in higher-order cognitive functions. However, its exact mechanisms remain a mystery, leading to ongoing debates in neuroscience, psychology, and philosophy.