Why is it that after eating spicy food, eating hot (as in temperature) food is so much more painful?

505 views

Why is it that after eating spicy food, eating hot (as in temperature) food is so much more painful?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

Capsaicin (the thing that makes peppers spicy) makes the TRPV1 protein activate and sends “this is hot” siignal to the brain. TRPV1 is the same protein that sends the signal to your brain if you burn your tongue or touch a hot stove.

So to your brain, you’re burning something that’s already burning… Making it hurt worse 🙂

Anonymous 0 Comments

because the spice you feel is not actually flavour, it’s a pain, and the heat in the rest of your food accentuates that already-existing pain.