• Question: Okay so chillies don't actually burn you (the enzymes in the chilli, that do something to the nerves that make your pain receptors think you are burning etc) does the way in which it does this work the opposite to painkillers?

    Asked by sparks to Asif, Laura, Lena, Sean, Viv on 16 Mar 2012. This question was also asked by macklev2.
    • Photo: Sean Murphy

      Sean Murphy answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      Chilies and other spicy foods contain capsaicin, a chemical which causes a burning feeling in the mouth. This is a defense mechanism that these foods have developed to prevent animals from eating them. It triggers the same effect that fire would, hence the “burning” feeling. Your nerves actually think that you are on fire.

    • Photo: Lena Ciric

      Lena Ciric answered on 15 Mar 2012:

      In some countries, capsaicin is used as a painkiller for muscle pain and arthritis.

      Interestingly, capsaicin only affects mammals. Birds aren’t affected by it so they can eat the hottest chilis out there and feel nothing. Or even a vindaloo!

    • Photo: Laura Waters

      Laura Waters answered on 16 Mar 2012:

      You know there is still some debate about how painkillers work. I hate those adverts that say it targets pain because in reality it is equally distributed through your body.

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