<p>There are, as far as I know, 2 main factors that determine the speed of action potential propagation:</p>

<ul>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/organ-systems/neuron-membrane-potentials/a/action-potential-velocity" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Diameter</a></strong>: Axons with a large diameter have lower resistances, and hence higher conduction velocities;</li>
<li><strong><a href="https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/organ-systems/neuron-membrane-potentials/a/action-potential-velocity" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Myelination</a></strong>: Myelin prevents passive diffusion of ions through the cell's membrane and increases charge separation across the cell membrane, speeding up conduction. Additionally, the spaces between the myelin sheaths, known as the nodes of Ranvier, facilitate <strong><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/saltatory-conduction" rel="nofollow noreferrer">saltatory conduction</a></strong>, which is akin to the action potential 'jumping' from node to node with a net increase in propagation as a consequence. </li>
</ul>

<p>These factors are physical properties of a neuron and hence are pretty much constant under physiological conditions, and are not influenced by thinking or focus.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-12T12:29:30.740Z
Are these Physical Factors different in every individual?
Ch Muhammad Sohaib
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-13T08:13:47.530Z
@ChMuhammadSohaib - there are always individual differences. But remember that the most important way for the brain to adapt itself (get better) is by generating different connections, or maybe even new connections, not so much change the physical properties of existing connections such as axon shape or myelination.
AliceD
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-02-11T11:11:17.850Z
2020-02-11T11:11:17.850Z
AliceD
<p>I Googled about this but couldn't find any thing precise to be that does thinking about something hard alters the speed of neurons impulses? I have heard of neurons velocity being variable but want to understand the exact circumstances in which the velocity varies.</p>

<neuroscience><cognitive-neuroscience><neurophysiology><brain>
Does thinking or focusing on something alter a neuron's speed?
Ch Muhammad Sohaib
# Does thinking or focusing on something alter a neuron's speed?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-02-10)

I Googled about this but couldn't find any thing precise to be that does thinking about something hard alters the speed of neurons impulses? I have heard of neurons velocity being variable but want to understand the exact circumstances in which the velocity varies.

**Tags:** neuroscience, cognitive-neuroscience, neurophysiology, brain


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2020-02-11. Score: 1 | Accepted answer

There are, as far as I know, 2 main factors that determine the speed of action potential propagation:

* **[Diameter](https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/organ-systems/neuron-membrane-potentials/a/action-potential-velocity)**: Axons with a large diameter have lower resistances, and hence higher conduction velocities;
* **[Myelination](https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/mcat/organ-systems/neuron-membrane-potentials/a/action-potential-velocity)**: Myelin prevents passive diffusion of ions through the cell's membrane and increases charge separation across the cell membrane, speeding up conduction. Additionally, the spaces between the myelin sheaths, known as the nodes of Ranvier, facilitate **[saltatory conduction](https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/veterinary-science-and-veterinary-medicine/saltatory-conduction)**, which is akin to the action potential 'jumping' from node to node with a net increase in propagation as a consequence.

These factors are physical properties of a neuron and hence are pretty much constant under physiological conditions, and are not influenced by thinking or focus.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Are these Physical Factors different in every individual?  
> **username_1**: @ChMuhammadSohaib - there are always individual differences. But remember that the most important way for the brain to adapt itself (get better) is by generating different connections, or maybe even new connections, not so much change the physical properties of existing connections such as axon shape or myelination.  

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