Question: How does our mind tell our body parts to move so quickly?

Jen Todd Jones answered on 19 Mar 2013:

Hi Haribo

The brain cells in the brain, called neurons, are connected to the spine (and the limbs) and they communicate using electrical signals. These electrical signals travel extremely quickly, up to 200 miles per hour!! When they’re communicating this quickly it’s not surprising that your limbs move so fast.

Sometimes, though, the brain isn’t even involved in movement. The nerves in the spine that tell the limbs to move can do it all on their own, if there is something painful that we are touching. For example, if your hand touches a hot mug, it will pull away because the body feels pain and responds automatically, before your brain even has a chance to knows what’s going on!