Hhm. Ok I don't know how the brain works either, but either way... I do know that the body is able to damage itself. For example, many people have had dreams where they get hurt in the dream and their body actually damages itself in whatever area they were hurt in. If its a bunch of "nerves" like you said...nerves can be stimulated, and if they were to be overstimulated I'd assume that they'd have some sort of "breaking point" or something?

[Edit: And nightowl, I love your signature. Did you take that photo yourself?]

Dylan