The chemical, of course, doesn't act as fire or acid might. But the brain doesn't know that, so it shoots out a mild dose of painkiller. Eating additional hot peppers won't desensitive the tongue. Instead the threshold for tolerance is raised, another burst of pain is perceived by the brain, which releases more endorphin . The pepperhead rides along on that wave, in cycle of pain and endorphin pleasure .
Hot peppers heighten the mouth's sensitivity.
As a result, the taste buds perceive the food to be more flavorful and tasty than it really is. Though not yet proven scientifically, lore has it that the hot peppers also possess aphrodisiac qualities. All Rights Reserved.