Biology
How fast do signals travel through the brain?
0.5–120 m/s
How fast do signals travel through the brain?
Neural signals travel at wildly different speeds depending on the neuron type. Unmyelinated neurons transmit at just 0.5–2 m/s; myelinated neurons carry signals at up to 120 m/s (432 km/h). The brain's fastest connections are in the motor cortex. By contrast, pain signals use slow C-fibres at 0.5–2 m/s — which is why stubbing your toe causes a delay before the full sting arrives.
Source: Kandel et al., Principles of Neural Science (6th ed.)