How Fast Is Nerve Signal?

Nerve signals travel at 120 m/s along the fastest myelinated fibres. The myelin sheath acts as electrical insulation, allowing signals to 'jump' between nodes rather than travel continuously — a trick that multiplies conduction speed roughly 100-fold compared to unmyelinated nerves.

Multiple sclerosis damages the myelin sheath around nerves — which is why it dramatically slows signal conduction.

• Faster than F1 cars
• Signal from toe to brain in under 20 ms