Question

Why does the signal of pain move slower than other signals in the body? why does the nervous system allow this lag time, and how does this delay relate to protection of the human?

Answer 1

Pain signals move from peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord and many gates are present in between which regulate these signals. The slow pain signals then move from the spinal cord to the hypothalamus and limbic system. The former releases hormones which are stress-related, the latter is associated with the emotions and feelings related to the same. These signals are slow because they pass through the brain parts which are responsible for the emotions also, which is limbic system and prefrontal cortex. This lag time enables the person to feel the severity of pain and protect from it. For example, the soldier feels less pain because he is attached to the war scenario in a different manner, as compared to the civilian, and therefore, pain signals follow a different pathway, leading to a feeling of comparatively lesser pain and other activities are less affected.