"Nervous system can't tell the difference between..." – The meaning behind TikTok’s trending phrase

Wake up besties, there's a new trending phrase on TikTok: "Nervous system can't tell the difference between..." For the unversed, the masses online are using this phrase to express their anxieties, and while TikTok trends come and go, this one sure is impactful.

Essentially, all this trend does is have people express how their nervous system is so fried, they can't differentiate between mundane tasks and extreme life or death situations like being held at gunpoint.

---

The meaning of the "Nervous system can't tell the difference between..." phrase explored:

As reported by Indy 100, one of the most relatable examples of this expression is when one user uploaded on TikTok, set to P!nk's 2012 song Try:

"Unfortunately my nervous system can't tell the difference between someone texting 'Hey can we talk' and being held at gunpoint."

The post has since gone viral, drawing several million views, likes, and thousands of comments. As reported by the outlet, scores related to the video, such as when one user noted, "THIS. Then appetite is gone, nausea sets in, headache and the disassociating starts". Another jokingly stated, "'We need to talk” PLEASE NO."

Someone else shared that their

"heart drops and i be checking my phone every two seconds and now im feeling ill and migraines and crying."

Yet another added that we feel this way "bc it’s NEVER a good thing."

We've rounded up some of the best examples of this meme below:

"Unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between being held at gunpoint and having to give a speech in front of a whole class," one user shared.

"unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between being held at gunpoint and watching my favorite team play basketball," another added.

"my nervous system can’t tell the difference between being shot and receiving a call from someone," someone else joked.

"Unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between joining a vc and being held at gunpoint," a fourth person chimed in.

"unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between being held at gunpoint and seeing a lizard," yet another hopped in on the trend.

"unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between someone insulting me and someone insulting beyoncé," one fan stated.

"Unfortunately my nervous system can’t tell the difference between being chased by a bear and getting an "urgent" email from my boss," one X user joked.

---

And now you know the meaning! Go forth and make your own, or hop on X and read some of the funniest ones out there by simply searching the exact phrase.