Improving human reaction time

In this question, we were provided a look at what would happen if a human-like species was capable of moving faster than the speed of sound. The consequences of such a modification seem rather disastrous, so I'd like to propose something different: modifying the human nervous system.

If humans, or at least a subset of humans, had some quality that increases their ability to process and react to external stimuli (e.g., see it, know what it is, and react to it), covering the brain, muscles, sensory organs, and nervous system, how would general life be different for the altered human? At what point would the difference between a regular human and this altered human be ultimately noticeable and beneficial: 5% better reaction times, 10%, 30%, more? Would the body need to be altered in any further way to support this mutation?

Bonus points if you can provide a purely biological method to support this mutation.

To head off anyone pointing out another related question: This question remarks on a species with a much-accelerated nervous system. Note that I am not looking to make a human have a noticeable lag time between thought process and physical activity, as the accepted answer concludes, but rather to give a human a sufficient edge in hand-to-hand combat to be able to easily predict an opponent, to have a better chance to dodge a bullet, and otherwise have extraordinary ability.

posted almost 10 years ago

Frostfyre‭

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