How to relieve the spiciness when you’re spitting fire?

In fact, the spiciness of chili peppers differs from the five basic tastes that the human body can sense: sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami.

The spiciness of chili peppers is unique.

When eating food as spicy as chili peppers, these receptors can sense both pain and heat. They react with capsaicin and transmit the pain and heat sensations to the brain. When these intense sensations are transmitted to the brain, the brain responds to alleviate the pain and heat in the mouth.

This involves increasing metabolic activity, sweating to cool down, secreting saliva and mucus to wash away irritants, and irritating the fibrous tissue in the nose, causing inflammation and tearing.

Furthermore, pain receptors in the esophagus can cause a burning sensation in the chest, and irritated diaphragmatic nerves can irritate the lungs and cause hiccups. In addition to these intense reactions, they can also increase digestion and lead to diarrhea.

Capsaicin also activates the sympathetic nervous system, secreting adrenaline. To alleviate pain, the brain releases endorphins, a natural painkiller. This creates a simultaneous feeling of pain and pleasure, which is why spicy food is addictive.

However, because pain is a sensory response in the brain, it doesn’t actually harm the tongue or a healthy digestive system. Just like tasting mint, the cooling sensation is felt through receptors.

How to alleviate spiciness?

What can you do if your mouth feels on fire from eating extremely spicy chili peppers or spicy food? Typically, you drink water, but this isn’t very effective. Capsaicin doesn’t dissolve in water; it dissolves and dilutes in fats and alcohol.

So, fat-rich drinks like milk or alcohol are effective. Sugar, rice, sour cream, honey, lime, or lemon can also help alleviate spiciness.