When you bite into a ghost pepper, your mouth experiences the most intense heat. Yes, eating ghost peppers may kill you. To die, a 150-pound (68-kg) individual would need to consume 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) of dried and powdered capsaicin-rich peppers like the ghost pepper. The actual amount needed to kill you is much less than this because the body can absorb some of the powdery substance. The death rate from ghost peppers is very high because many people don't know how to properly handle them or what kind of preparation they should be cooked in. Also, because the chili peppers contain large amounts of capsaicin, anyone who is sensitive to spicy foods should not eat them. Ghost peppers are found in parts of South America, especially in Peru. They get their name because when you burn them they look like a specter/ghost. People in these areas have been eating them for centuries without any problems. However, because they are so potent, consuming too many in one meal could be fatal. In the United States, ghost peppers are grown in California and Arizona for use in cooking. Because of this, more people have access to them and know how to deal with them if they want to eat them. Still, it's important to note that just because something is edible doesn't mean it's safe for everyone to eat.