The Science of Speed: Human Reaction Time
What limits us?
Reaction time is governed by the speed of signal transmission in your nervous system. It takes ~20ms for the image to reach the visual cortex, ~180ms for the brain to process it, and ~20ms for the motor cortex to signal your finger muscle. That adds up to ~220ms for the average person.
Input Lag Factor
Your hardware matters. A standard 60Hz monitor adds ~16ms of delay. A wireless mouse can add another 10-20ms. If you're scoring 250ms consistently, your actual biological reaction might be closer to 215ms once you subtract system latency.
Can you improve it?
Yes, but there is a biological ceiling. Professional drivers and eSports athletes train to reduce the "processing time" phase. By recognizing the cue faster (visual processing) and having the motor plan ready (pre-tensioning the finger), they can shave off 30-50ms. Physical health, hydration, and sleep also play massive roles. A sleep-deprived brain is 50% slower.