Neurology
Signals At 400 km/h
The fastest nerve signals travel at around 120 metres per second, over 400 km/h, along insulated nerve fibres.
More in Neurology
Your Brain Has 86 Billion Neurons
Your brain holds roughly 86 billion neurons, each linked to thousands of others through trillions of connections.
Your Brain Runs On 20 Watts
The human brain uses about 20 watts of power, less than a light bulb, yet burns around 20% of your body's energy.
The Second Brain In Your Gut
Your gut is lined with around 500 million neurons, the enteric nervous system, which can work on its own without the brain.
Memories Are Rebuilt Every Time
Each time you recall a memory, your brain reconstructs it, which is why memories can shift and change over the years.
Mirror Neurons
Mirror neurons fire both when you do something and when you watch someone else do it, first found in monkeys in the 1990s.
The Brain Feels No Pain
Brain tissue has no pain receptors, which is why surgeons can operate on patients who are awake during brain surgery.