Chasing Euphoria

Many tropical countries, like India, Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia etc. are known to favour spicy food. This may be because of the warmer climate and proximity to the equator. Eating spicy food makes us sweat, sometimes profusely; this acts like a cooling mechanism against the heat.

Chilies contain capsaicin, a natural chemical that sends a burning sensation from the nerve endings in the mouth to the brain. In Maharashtra, we call this "heat", "tikhat". In my voracious experience with "tikhat", I have observed three distinct types.

1. One that stays in the mouth. It heats up the mouth and subsequently the roof of the mouth. That makes the nose run profusely and the face sweat. It's like a reverse brain freeze.

2. One that travels down the esophagus. It gives you the hiccups because it disturbs the diaphragm. Makes the body sweat and makes one feel as if they're just done with a good workout.

3. One that travels up the skull. It gives off a tingly feeling, as if an army of ants is going up the back of the head, and the head also heats a little and subsequently sweats.

Apart from the cooling mechanism, spicy food is also great for your mental health (more like your mood at the time).

The 'tikhat' sensation makes our brain feel that the body is on fire. The brain thinks it needs to nullify or reduce that pain. In order to do that, it releases endorphins to make the body feel better and puts the eater in a state of euphoria. It is said to be a sensation similar to a 'runner's high', which I have recently got to know (like you've flirted with death and ghosted her).

That is why, many times, comfort food can be spicy. Sometimes, if the heat is too much to handle or continuous for as long as a few minutes, all the senses are numbed down. This is why eating a lot of hot (spicy) food gives the eater a daze as good as downing 2 shots of vodka. Now imagine that plus the euphoria (I've lived it, and it's amazing!). Initially, it's horrifying, but ride that wave, and it'll turn into a glorious experience. Maybe that's why we tell our 'pani puri wale bhaiyya' (man who serves us pani puri), "Aur tikha karna bhaiyya" (make it spicier), even when there are tears rolling down the face already, or douse our momos in that fiery hot chutney.

Chilies have many health benefits because of the whole process of heat and endorphins. They're a natural pain relief, have cardiovascular benefits, clear congestion, boost immunity, help in burning calories, fight inflammation, and help in regulating blood sugar levels.

You need to be careful not to overdo it, though; chilies are mildly addictive and can make you a chili pepper junkie. I mean, who wouldn't want to chase euphoria? Also, not to mention that the digestive system is not a fan of too many chili peppers. It can trigger distress in the alimentary canal, and ulcers.

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