Spicy!

Humans are sometimes drawn to the perceived danger of eating extreme foods, especially spicy foods. Similar to watching a horror movie, the experience stimulates a fight-or-flight response during which the brain releases endorphins and dopamine - hormones that make people feel good. After the brain determines everything is safe, there is a sense of accomplishment in overcoming a dangerous situation.

Surprisingly, the chemical capsaicin that makes food spicy does not target taste receptors, but rather temperature receptors in the tongue, which can generate a painful response. When saliva breaks down spicy food, capsaicin travels to the throat, nose, and esophagus, and activates nerves involved in the sense of touch, said Dr. Robert Pellegrino, a postdoctoral fellow at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. The ensuing pain is similar to touching a hot stove. "You can feel spice everywhere," he said.

However, the brain can override the initial pain reaction. Dr. Paul Rozin, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, attributes this override to humans' ability to differentiate between serious and "benign" pain. Eating moderate amounts of spice is generally safe, he said, but even so, the body treats it as a health threat: "That's where the pleasure comes, from the fact that you're overriding your body's signal not to do this." People sometimes film food challenges on social media because it is designed to positively reinforce our behavior through likes and follows. Thirty-six year old Nelson Cheney, known by his social media handle "@craving_capsaicin," got hooked on the adrenaline rush he feels when he eats extremely spicy foods. "For me, it is a way of life," Cheney said. "I love chasing that endorphin dump. I love the feeling when I beat a challenge and get all pumped up. It's kind of like winning a race."

A 2016 study in the journal Appetite showed that a person's risk-taking behavior was a good predictor of their spicy food preference. If they liked riding roller coasters or driving fast down a windy road, they tended to like their chicken wings hot. It all comes down to whether you get some kind of reward or rush from the pain or risk, said Dr. Alissa Nolden, a food scientist and sensory expert at the University of Massachusetts. But exactly how this risk-reward experience plays out in the brain is still a mystery to scientists.

"There's also a genetic component that hasn't been fully explored," Dr. Nolden added. It is well known that as people eat more spicy food, they become desensitized to capsaicin. But some people are also born with different or less-functional capsaicin receptors, giving them a higher spice tolerance from the start, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Physiology and Behavior.

For people who have lost their sense of taste, spicy foods may be a gateway into enjoying a meal. For instance, chemotherapy given to cancer patients can change taste receptor cells in the mouth, meaning that foods may taste bitter, metallic, or otherwise different than before. Because spicy food is detected by temperature receptors and not taste receptors, its hot sensations may still be felt. In fact, some studies suggest that cancer patients look to spicy foods to increase their sensory experience during or after chemotherapy. If you find yourself wondering 'why am I craving spicy food,' it might be because your body desires endorphin release or potentially because your diet is seeking variety and the unique flavors that only spicy elements can offer.

Capsaicin is loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, and has also been linked to improved digestion, an increased metabolism, better heart health, reduction in cancer risk, and a strengthened immune system. As it turns out, hot peppers are one of nature's true superfoods! Dr. Edwin McDonald, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center, emphasized that while spicy foods are safe in moderation, extreme spice could mean a hospital trip. Spicy foods can cause internal irritation, inflammation, and pain. You may experience abdominal pain, burning diarrhea, chest pain, headaches, or violent vomiting. Gastric acid from vomiting can burn your esophagus and throat. If you're having severe symptoms after eating spicy food, seek immediate care.

But let's say you ate something just a little too spicy. Maybe your mouth is burning, your eyes are watering, or your nose is running. Do not reach for water! Because capsaicin is an oil-based substance, water will not help reduce the painful sensation; it only spreads it around your mouth. To quench the fire feeling, try bread, lemonade, or milk.