I’m guessing it’s similar to getting a massage where it hurts but feels good at the same time, but I can’t understand why anyone would want to sweat and be in pain while eating. Isn’t it supposed to be a joyous experience? I genuinely don’t know the answer.
Edit: y’all are impressive lol thank you for the funny and entertaining answers!
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You could ask the same thing about people who eat sour foods.
It’s just a sensation that some people enjoy experiencing.
As you build a tolerance to spicy food, you stop feeling that burning pain as intensely and start to be able to appreciate the depth of flavors and the way the spice makes you feel. I would suggest starting with whatever spice level feels comfortable and slowly working your way up.
I think it’s an acquired taste, you gradually build up tolerance for it. I used to hate spicy food as a kid, then I started to eat more and more until I really loved it.
Apparently, eating spicy foods also triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, so there might be a biochemical reason.
Something to do with endorphins. It hurts so good…
I’ve heard there can be an adrenalin rush. Similar to how we watch fireworks, it something that our brains would normally interpret as bad, but because we know we’re safe, it makes us extra happy as the adrenalin is not being used for fight or flight.
It is a joyous experience. Spicy feel good.
Spice makes bad ingredients taste okay and gives you an endorphin rush which feels good and is addictive. Your brain associates the spice with that good feeling so you crave it.
Endorphins from pain + dopamine from eating food = a higher form of pleasure.
As you get used to it the burning feeling goes away for the same amount of spice (capsaicin to be precise) and it adds a new flavour profile to the food. I like to add four or five drops of Carolina Reaper sauce to food which gives it a bit of heat but not overwhelming and really, uh… spices up an otherwise bland dish.
there’s good actual science on this but the monkey version is that plants evolved to hurt so we wouldn’t eat them but our brains knew they were nutritious so we made happy chemicals to counter the pain.
For me it is eventually a warming sensation that is very enjoyable.
Lots of reasons, but for me. It doesn’t hurt. I mean, sure if I went out and bought those WARNING this ONE CHIP can kill you!! Challenge packets… Which I wouldn’t that would certainly do it.
But I grew up eating spicy foods, and they just taste good. They never hurt. Sometimes my eyes water or nose runs, but it doesn’t burn burn. And I don’t get sick or have stomach issues over it. It’s just the food I eat and like.
If it hurt me, I’d not eat it.
A small amount of pain can feel good. Like when you stretch really hard when you were stiff. Or when you’re scratching an itch. People’s emotional reaction to physical experiences differ from person to person
I personally love the taste of spicy foods but can’t handle the heat well. So for me it’s just because it taste good even if it does burn.
I just like pain, and it seems to like me as well.
Thrill.
With some spicy food you can actually get a rush from the chilli heat.
Once you become tolerant to it, you enjoy the flavour too.
It’s not for everybody, but as someone who likes very spicy food, it’s a combination of *feel* and also flavour.
Spicy food doesn’t have to blow your head off. I cook with the amount of chilli required to add a nice bit of heat, but doesn’t make you think you’re going to die.
I like spicy to an extent. But unless I am gradually increasing my spice tolerance by coincidence, I don’t really get the appeal of super spicy food.
For reference, the only spicy restaurant food I find too spicy or push my tolerance are chicken wings sold as the spiciest or whatever. Most everything else is rarely that spicy for me.
I just like it. I like the food, I will eat it. (I don’t have good spice tolerance)
Some spicy foods are healthy for you like bananas and we re encouraged to eat them.
I dont like the way spicy food hurts. I like the way it tastes.
I like how ice cream tastes. I dont like how fucking cold it is or when it gives me brain freeze.
Even if there are people who want to say they “like how it hurts” or something, I think once you eat it enough it doesnt hurt as much and you actually get to taste it the way it is, which is to say that its generally speaking unique flavors you had otherwise avoided because of pain. Theres spicy food that sucks too.
it’s an acquired taste.not all spicy food hurts, some are especially delicious.
Sometimes I like my butthole to taste my spicy food as well
It’s also about flavor, not just pain
Assuming you are within your safe spice range the endorphins are pleasant plus the taste is good.
Endorphins.
I like when my food fights back
Training for Hot Ones
have you tried it? that should give you your answer
Endorphin/dopamine rush. Kind of like getting an intense massage. Your body tells you it hurts but your brain tells you to keep going cause it’s nice.
Wait til OP finds out about BDSM.
For me it adds flavour and intensity. You probably use condiments like ketchup and mustard and I like Tabasco and siracha on the right foods.
It doesn’t hurt for me. It makes my mouth all tingly and salivating. It’s an intense feeling but not painful and it heightens flavors.
♫I hurt myself today… To see if I still feel♪
Physical pain comes with adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine to keep you “in the fight” with whatever threat your body thinks it’s facing.