When 36-year-old Nelson Cheney was little, he started eating peppers and hot sauces to impress his father. Years later, he still eats these foods, only now for his 1.1 million followers on TikTok.
Cheney, known by his social media handle “@craving_capsaicin” – a tribute to chemical compound that gives pepper its heat – you’ve become addicted to the adrenaline rush you feel when you eat extremely spicy foods.
“For me, it’s a way of life,” Cheney said. “I love chasing that jolt of endorphins. I love the feeling of overcoming a challenge and being excited. … It’s like winning a race.”
Scientists say he’s not the only one.
Whether the spice they seek is fiery or acidic and sour, humans can be drawn to the perceived danger of extreme foods. As watching a horror moviethe experience stimulates a fight-or-flight response during which the brain releases endorphins and dopamine, hormones that make people feel good. Once the brain determines that everything is safe, there is a sense of accomplishment in overcoming a dangerous situation.
“These challenges are really attracting people who have this psychological affinity – behaviors that seek sensations and rewards. So the more dangerous it is, the more exciting it will be,” said Elisa Trucco, director of the Child and Adolescent Health Research Laboratory at Florida International University.
Both acidic and spicy foods generate painful responses, although they activate different nerves in the body. When saliva breaks down spicy foods, capsaicin travels to the throat, nose and esophagus and activates nerves involved in the sense of touch, said Robert Pellegrino, a postdoctoral fellow at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. The pain that follows is similar to touching a hot stove.
“You can taste spice everywhere,” Pellegrino said.
On the other hand, acidity activates the taste nerves. When people eat acidic foods, the body initiates a painful reaction because it detects an acidic substance that could be harmful if ingested.
In both cases, the brain can override the initial pain reaction. Paul Rozin, a psychology professor at the University of Pennsylvania, attributes this substitution to the human ability to differentiate between severe and “benign” pain. Eating moderate amounts of spices is generally safe, he said, but the body still treats it as a health threat.
“That’s where the pleasure comes from, the fact that you’re ignoring your body’s signal not to do it,” Rozin said.
Plus, people often film these eating challenges on social media, which triggers a similar dopamine release because it’s designed to positively reinforce our behavior through likes and follows.
“I think a lot of it has to do with status and popularity and the feedback you get from other people,” Trucco said. Cheney, who works in sheet metal by day, said he enjoys the online community he has created, which he envisions. as a result of his passion for growing and eating peppers.
“I have so many people who went from not even eating hot things to having tolerance and now eating spicy food every day. So it’s cool to get people to join me,” Cheney said.
While all of these feel-good hormones may satisfy some individuals’ cravings, extreme eating challenges faced backlash amid several deadly incidents. Last year, a teenager he died in Massachusetts after trying to eat a tortilla stuffed with chili extract in a social media challenge. Extremely acidic foods can also have harmful consequences: in April, a 10-year-old girl in the United Kingdom suffered burns in her throat after eating a super sour candy she saw in a TikTok video.
Edwin McDonald, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center, emphasized that while spicy and sour foods are safe in moderation, extreme spiciness could mean a trip to the hospital.
“Consuming some foods that contain capsaicin may be associated with increased longevity and decreased risk of cancer,” said McDonald. “But those aren’t the peppers people are doing in the challenge.”
Extreme dietary challenges can be dangerous for those with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure and asthma, said Dr. Chantel Strachan, an internal medicine physician and assistant professor at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Due to the uncertainty, Strachan advised thinking twice before taking part and consulting a doctor beforehand.
“Unfortunately, we usually find out after a first try how you react to these substances,” she said.
Children and teens tend to be more susceptible to social media challenges, which is why Trucco said parents should pay attention, too.
“The way these challenges are portrayed is very glamorized, you only see the benefits,” Trucco said. “As parents, it’s really important to be aware of what they are and have open conversations with your children.”
This article was originally published in NBCNews. with
