Before we can hook our brains up  to a brain machine interface or BMI in the hope of improving our cognitive potential, it's interesting to contemplate the nature of consciousness. There are many theories regarding consciousness. The Integrated Information Theory of Consciousness, for example, is derived from mathematical calculation and has led to what is known as a consciousness meter, which is now being tested by a variety of clinical groups. Researchers have researched consciousness and argued that conscious processes can form the basis for a wide range of cognitive functions such as memory, decision-making and problem solving. 

Another definition of consciousness sees it as the capacity of inner knowledge. This definition considers consciousness as a state of mind, not only as a faculty, but also as an experience of the world around us. Centuries of philosophical dualism have led us to view consciousness as irreducible through physical interaction, empirically impossible to pinpoint exactly and leaving much room for debate. The vague and general descriptions we have for this phenomenon provides a limit to understanding what consciousness is and what we mean when we use the term.  

As far as to where consciousness comes from, the best evidence suggests that consciousness, as with most human behaviors, comes from evolution. Since we do not know how the brains of mammals create consciousness, we have no choice but to assume that only the brains of mammals do so. But who's to say that other forms of life don't experience consciousness or at least the awareness of a self? Consciousness might be  manifested everywhere in the universe, even in the smallest particles known to us, but that is for another post. 

As far as to what the content of consciousness is,  It has been argued that consciousness is a collection of experiences, emotions, thoughts and beliefs generated by unconscious processes in the brain. Awareness of inner stimuli, including pain, hunger, thirst, drowsiness, awareness of thoughts and emotions. This includes the ability to feel pain (hunger / thirst) and drowsiness, as well as the ability to be aware of thoughts and emotions. Awareness of external stimuli, including feeling pain, hunger, thirst, drowsiness and awareness of thoughts or emotions such as hunger and thirst.

We might never fully understand consciousness or where it came from, even with all the technological advancements. Ultimately, I believe that our primary focus should be to maximize the data available and keep trying to solve this puzzle in the years to come.