[bluedogz]

I know one of the scientific types here knows this...

Is there any truth to the idea that eating very spicy food can trigger some kind of euphoric feeling/endorphin rush? With that in mind, could I make a habanero-spiked bloody Mary and call it a "speedball"?

[phatch]

Yes, capsaicin triggers the release of endorphins. The amounts vary from person to person. So-called super-tasters literally experience more pain from capsaicin than other people so expect a wide variation in response to your bloody mary.

Phil

[MaryB]

I add hab powder to Chex mix then I don't tell anyone well I do warn them it has chili pepper in it but not what kind. Some people can have bad reactions to the hotter chili's.

[Pete]

As someone who routinely subjects himself to the torture known as "Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin' " sauce I can definately say that eating chilis can cause an endorphine rush. Why else would I go back time and time again? Hey, it's a natural high! If you want to learn a little more about chiles take a look at the link below. It takes you to an article I wrote for Cheftalk, on the subject of chile peppers.

History And Descriptions Of Chilies

[siduri]

I never got the business about endorphine rush. Pain hurts. So maybe your brain tries to soothe you with endorphines, but does it compensate the original pain? It sounds like the guy who hammers his finger to enjoy how good it feels when he stops. Do you actually feel a rush of pleasure? maybe my endorphines ddon;t work so well, i just feel the pain.

[Pete]

It's not a rush like a high. It's more subtle than that, but it is definately there. It's more of a subtle giddiness and a general sense of "well-being". Again these are not overriding feelings, but they are there.

[DC Sunshine]

It's endorphins being released.

Like when a rabbit is in the mouth of a fox and about to be dinner....it's body releases endorphins so it gets a high and doesn't feel the pain. Supposedly. Gruesome hey - the body and brain tells it, "I'm having a really nice time" - while the carnivore crunches down. (My apologies that was a bit OTT).

I like chilli but not hooked on it yet - like it to the level of getting a sweating nose but not to a throat burning extent.

To get back to the original question, doesn't a Bloody Mary have a dash of Tabasco sauce in there anyway?

[boar_d_laze]

Originally Posted by bluedogz

I know one of the scientific types here knows this...

Is there any truth to the idea that eating very spicy food can trigger some kind of euphoric feeling/endorphin rush? With that in mind, could I make a habanero-spiked bloody Mary and call it a "speedball"?

Yes. Make it hot enough and your friends will have a name for you too.

BDL