It almost always happens, sometimes to an extent where I can’t even put any more in my mouth! Why does this happen? What kind of chemistry and bonds are inolved? (Keep it like I’m 5)
In: Chemistry
There is some chemistry with why spicy food is spicy, but surprisingly not why it feels spicier when it’s hot. Capsacien is an oil and that is what makes spicy food spicy. It’s chemical structure acts like a key that fits into pain receptors on our tongue. The more oil, the more pain receptors are turned on. Spiciness is actually pain in our tongue.
When you eat food that is hot, the temperature stimulates the same pain receptors. Pain is our warning system that something is wrong and being burned is bad. So the effect of the pain from the temperature combines with the pain from the spiciness and makes it seem like the food is more spicy than it actually is.
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