From: NBC
Why Humans are Drawn to Extremely Spicy or Sour Foods — Even if They Hurt
August 22, 2024
For some, foods that generate pain can trigger an adrenaline rush, similar to watching a horror movie.
…
In both cases, the brain can override the initial pain reaction. Paul Rozin, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, attributes this override to humans’ ability to differentiate between serious and “benign” pain. Eating moderate amounts of spice is generally safe, he said, but even so, the body treats it as a health threat.
“That’s where the pleasure comes, from the fact that you’re overriding your body’s signal not to do this,” Rozin said.
Read the whole story (subscription may be required): NBC
More of our Members in the Media >
APS regularly opens certain online articles for discussion on our website. Effective February 2021, you must be a logged-in APS member to post comments. By posting a comment, you agree to our Community Guidelines and the display of your profile information, including your name and affiliation. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations present in article comments are those of the writers and do not necessarily reflect the views of APS or the article’s author. For more information, please see our Community Guidelines.
Please login with your APS account to comment.