Why do some people love the pain of eating spicey hot food?

[Retro]

This is something that I've never understood which this article tries to explain. I certainly don't like it, however, I'll tolerate it if it's very mild, but no more.

The other day I went to a Mexican restaurant with friends and ordered spring rolls. What the menu didn't say is that they were spicey hot spring rolls (thankyou so much). I started eating one and it nearly blew my head off. It was otherwise quite tasty, so I was determined to finish it (aided by lots of water) but gave the other rolls away to my friends who enjoyed them. Madness!

Did you know that resiniferatoxin is around 1000 times more potent than capsaicin? It's so strong that it's actually dangerous. Not recommended, however, some idiot enterprising soul has tried it and lived to tell the tale, see the video which I've not yet seen at the time of writing. All this is discussed and linked to in the article.

As for why we like it, that might be because of the sensation it causes. “Research is still ongoing into how human brains learn what is and isn’t safe, including which foods are safe for consumption,” says Browne. “Recent work emphasises prediction, context and controllability. The idea is that when you eat something spicy, you get an initial alarm-like ‘heat’ signal. With repeated exposure the peripheral response desensitises, and the brain learns the cue is safe and under control. That shift in prediction and certainty is a large part of why the experience becomes tolerable – and then rewarding.” The more spice you eat, the theory goes, the less intense the first painful part becomes, and the more relief you get afterwards.

Why do people love spicy food – even when it hurts to eat it?

Tearing up, sweating and other bodily functions are all signs that the body is trying to expel spicy foods as quickly as possible. But there is a simple reason why some people enjoy those sensations

www.theguardian.com

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[live627]

Rolls should NEVER be spicy because bread is the perfect antidote to spice!