The brain has no pain receptors, so it cannot feel itself being touched.

The longer version

Pain signals come from specialised nerve endings called nociceptors, which are distributed through skin, muscle, joints and the linings of internal organs. The brain tissue itself does not contain them, so cutting or pressing on it does not produce the sensation of pain, even though the surrounding scalp, skull coverings and blood vessels certainly do.

That is why certain procedures can be carried out while a person is awake. Headaches arise from those surrounding sensitive structures rather than from the brain substance. The brain is instead the place where pain is produced: it receives signals from elsewhere in the body and constructs the experience, including its location and intensity.

Where this entry sits

These facts look at how the human body works in ordinary moments, from breathing and blinking to balance and sleep. They focus on anatomy, senses, and small reactions that happen constantly without any conscious effort. The full list sits on the Human Body page, where every entry is listed in order.