Can segmented worms feel pain

Answer 1

Segmented worms, such as earthworms, possess a simple nervous system and lack a centralized brain, but they do have nerve cords and ganglia that allow them to respond to stimuli. While they may not experience pain in the same way that vertebrates do, they can respond to harmful stimuli, suggesting a capacity for basic nociception. Research indicates that these worms can exhibit stress responses to injury or harmful conditions, implying a level of sensitivity to their environment. However, the extent and nature of their experience of pain remain topics of scientific debate.