Are Chile Peppers Addictive? The answer is yes – to some degree. Dr. Paul Rozen, a physiologist at the University of Pennsylvania studied this and believes that when people eat hot food, the brain secretes endorphins, the substance that blocks pain (should we spell it Jalapaino). This is similar to what athletes experience when they get their "second wind". The feeling of well-being attained from this is what keeps chile pepper eaters going back for more. This "rush" also heightens awareness and tends to take the mind off of unpleasant thoughts. Other substances such as alcohol, tobacco, and coffee also do this but they have longer effects. Another reason chile peppers can be habit forming is because of the intensity of flavor that it adds to food. Once you are used to it, food can seem very bland without it. Chile peppers also appeal to a person’s sense of adventure. The appearance of chiles alone with their vibrant colors and shape, with a hot surprise inside, make it a dangerous but exciting vegetable. People may like chile peppers for the same reasons that they enjoy roller coasters, fast cars, or their membership to The Polar Bear Club. Hot foods push a person’s limits of pain and tolerance without there being any real danger. A person addicted to hot and spicy foods may be referred to as a chile-head. If you have hot sauce stashed in your car or have a Jalapeno in your pocket, you may be a chile-head. But don’t worry, it is a very nutritious and beneficial addiction that is not a sin or against the law and not even heavily taxed! What else can you say that about? |