INTERNAL ORGANS Affected By Spicy Foods: Doctor Explains

In this video, we take a deep dive into the effects of spicy foods on your brain and body! Curious about why spicy foods make you sweat, flush, and even cause pain? It’s all thanks to capsaicin, a powerful chemical that tricks your brain into thinking your mouth is on fire! But is it just a mental challenge, or is there also physical danger?

We break down what happens when you eat ultra-spicy foods, including:
* How capsaicin activates your brain’s pain receptors and triggers a fight-or-flight response
* What can happen to your body during extreme spice challenges, from Boerhaave Syndrome to RCVS (Reversible Cerebral Vasoconstriction Syndrome) and even heart attacks
* An interview with spicy food champion Mike Jack, who holds 17 world records and has eaten a staggering 164 Carolina Reapers in a single sitting!
* Tips on how to safely handle spicy food challenges (hint: it’s all about mind over matter)
* For those intrigued by the spicy food phenomenon, we’ll also explore the potential health benefits of moderate spice consumption, like weight loss and pain relief from capsaicin creams!
* And finally you'll see me eat a spicy pepper for the first time!

⚠️ WARNING: Spicy food challenges can be dangerous. Always proceed with caution and never try extreme challenges alone.

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~ Siobhan (Violin MD) ~
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[yinyang-wy]

Indian here. I don't like eating hot spicy food with chillies. Best fire extinguisher that works for me is slightly sour butter milk or sour plain yoghurt to cool me down. Your channel is awesome you won my subscription, haven't seen many doctors showing symptoms and diagnosis. Thank you.

[MasuseDeMojo]

Hello, and thank you for going over hot peppers. You hit all the key points. I grew up around peppers, and have been eating them for many years now. Even as a child, I was curious as to why they were so hot; so I searched out to find out more about them. One of the key things I learned from a friend's wife, is that you never grow hot peppers next to tomatoes. The tomatoes will sap the heat out, making them more like a bell pepper; which is why a lot of people will drink tomato juice when eating hot peppers. I started with Jalapeño, and worked my way up to beyond Ghost peppers. I have a high tolerance and do not start sweating till I start getting to the Ghost level. My go to that helps is eating ginger; it will cut the heat for you and settle your stomach. I have never felt it on the way out. The red pepper you ate looked like one of the habanero species; there are two main types. A Habanero to me is like the Jalapeño to you when you first bit into it.

Everyone's body is different. When someone ask me if something is spicy, I tell them to me, it is mild; but it may be too spicy for them. I have had some who have ignored me, and regretted it later. Thai peppers are not for the weak at heart; they do not hold back. Boonie peppers, that are only found in Guam, are very small compared to Thai peppers. They also pack a lot of heat that make a Thai pepper seem it is milder. I have used the Boonie peppers to make a hot sauce that the fumes lingered in the air, causing my sinus to drain completely. Many do use them for weight loss as they help to speed up one's metabolism. There is so much peppers can do in the right context.

[MsStina]

I had a workmate with heart problems. He also did these crazy kinds of things, I think it was to try to impress people. Eating a hot pepper was actually one of the last things he did before being rushed to the hospital for the last time.

[figmo]

Cucumbers can also neutralize capsaicin. I learned this from a Szechuan restaurant owner.

[janhatcher]

all for a world record. That man is crazy! What people do I don't get it. I really love your channel.

[wannabetrucker]

I bought ghost pepper as a condiment, it actually only takes approximately 1/16 th of a teaspoon to season a plate of spaghetti etc. At that level it is tasty. We laugh that this little jar will last generations.

[jimbelter]

I've eaten spicy foods most of my life. My philosophy has always been "It's not hot enough until my nose runs and my eyes water". That doesn't happen too often but when it does I'm really enjoying it

[aenigmaticus_ca]

I had Carolina Reaper Chicken Wings, first time with that pepper. Tasted amazing, but caused a Tonic-Clonic Seizure that took a month for me to recover. So yes, they can be very dangerous. Be careful!

Man they taste so good though...

[rjo]

Store bought jalapeños can have a huge range of capsaicin content. I've grown a lot of jalapeño varieties over the years, and the heat ranges from fire to nothing at all. Also, there was one variety I really enjoyed and grew frequently in my garden. One summer we had a prolonged dry, hot period when the fruit was ripening, and the perceived heat of the fruit was completely off the charts. One cornbread recipe I made frequently (that included also lots of onion and sharp cheddar) called for 4 jalapeños. That year, the first time I made it using that batch of jalapeño, it was thrown out because the only discernable flavor was the burn.

[sarahmarie]

In the middle of watching it and I love it so far! I am a teacher, and I plan on showing this in class!

[ChrisMorton]

I participated in pepper eating competitions, it's nice to have this knowledge before I do it again.

[AllThingsConsidered]

I used to love spicy foods and probably overdid it over the years. Now the tiniest bit gives me such intense body pain & also affects my brain function negatively. Makes me sad but at least I enjoyed it while I had it!

I never liked the stuff that was all burn and no flavor tho. Gotta have flavor! I used to make my own hot pepper sauce and when I would get pissed off, I would just take a little nip off the hot pepper sauce bottle and it would reset my brain and I would be in a better mood almost instantly.

[endrankluvsdaloko]

You rocked that sassy red pepper like a boss! One of my favorite snacks is to take a bite of jalapeno, a ruffle chip with dip, then top it off with a little scoop of avocado. Jalapenos are weird where it's like some have almost no heat as if they're just a bell pepper and you can smash the entire thing in a few bites while others are so hot that even just a little nibble makes my entire mouth feel like it's on fire.

[planesandbikes]

There is more to hot pepper than just the 'burn.' There is a pleasing fruity flavour there, even in moderation where no significant burn is felt. So many ethnic foods are disappointing and bland without some hot peppers or hot sauce or chili paste mixed in. No way would I take a bite of a reaper, but I have some reaper sauce here which is very tasty and fruity and a little goes a long long ways.

[eponawarrior]

I love spicy food. I have gut issues so I space out my spice indulgence and sometimes follow up with a few days of bland diet. Not sure why I love it so much, but I get a huge mood boost from it. One day I'll probably have to give it up, but for now I try to enjoy responsibly. Funny enough, spice actually isn't a huge GI trigger for me. Acids, gluten, and oily foods are my worst ones.

[gibbygibbons]

According to the American Association for Cancer Research, peppers and turmeric both contain anti-cancer properties. The capsaicin in peppers is thought to kill certain kinds of cancer cells, and the curcumin in turmeric may slow the growth of tumors. A study from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles found that capsaicin was effective in blocking prostate cancer cells in mice, similar to the way cancer drugs work.

[ceeq]

LOVE getting the members only access. the livestreams with you and Mark are just wonderful 💕

[DuchessOfWales]

Cannot believe you bit into that 2nd one! I was a violinist on my way into Western before paralyzed by AVM. Neuropathic pain ever since, now seeking MAID. Pepper is a big part of my neuro management - great to see an MD discussing this. Happy 2025 ♥

[sophiafern]

I used to work at a pizza place where one if the owners had moved to Canada from Korea. She used to tease me constantly about how I couldn't handle spice, so when I quit she gave me a parting gift bag of different hot sauces. Genuinely it did help my spice tolerance (I used to not be able to take Tim Hortons chipotle) but I don't think I'll be eating a whole pepper anytime soon 😅

[anthonygrodecki]

I love spicy and for me it’s just within food dishes. So thank you for covering this and explaining the science behind the reactions those of us that like hot food know. 😊