Food Science
Why Spicy Food Feels Hot: Capsaicin's Four-Stage Trick on Your Nervous System
The sensation of heat from spicy food isn't a taste but a deception caused by capsaicin, which tricks your nervous system's heat receptors. This leads your brain to believe you're overheating, triggering a false alarm of pain and cooling responses.
Dr. Lena Hanson·October 20, 2026
