if you touch a pot that just came off the stove and it is hot, your body sends
a signal to your brain indicating pain and discomfort. This signal is sent through your nervous system, specifically the peripheral nerves in your skin and the sensory neurons within them. The receptors in your skin called thermoreceptors detect the high temperature of the pot, which triggers an electrical signal to be generated and sent along the sensory neurons. These sensory neurons then transmit the signal to your spinal cord and then up to your brain for processing.
Once the signal reaches your brain, it is interpreted as pain and a reflex response is initiated. This reflex causes you to withdraw your hand from the hot pot almost instantaneously as a protective mechanism to avoid further injury. The reflex response occurs before the signal even reaches your conscious perception of pain, allowing for a quick protective reaction.
Additionally, your body may also activate other responses simultaneously, such as sweating to cool down the skin, increased blood flow to the affected area, and potentially certain inflammatory responses to aid in the healing process. These responses are controlled by various mechanisms within the body and help to minimize damage and promote recovery.