When 36-year-old Nelson Cheney was little, he began eating spicy peppers and sauces to impress his dad. Years later, he still consumes these foods, only now for his 1.1 million followers on TikTok. Cheney, known by his social media handle “@craving_capsaicin” — a nod to the chemical compound that gives chili peppers their heat — got hooked on the adrenaline rush he feels when he eats extremely spicy foods. “For me, it is a way of life,” Cheney said. “I love chasing that endorphin dump. I love the feeling when I beat a challenge and get all pumped up. … It’s kind of like winning a race.”
Scientists say he’s not the only one. Whether the spice they seek is fiery or acidic and sour, humans can be drawn to the perceived danger of extreme foods. Like watching a horror movie, the experience stimulates a fight-or-flight response during which the brain releases endorphins and dopamine, hormones that make people feel good. After the brain determines everything is safe, there’s a sense of accomplishment in overcoming a dangerous situation.
“These challenges are really drawing people in who have that psychological affinity — sensation-seeking, reward-seeking types of behaviors. So the more dangerous it is, the more thrilling it is,” said Elisa Trucco, director of the Research on Adolescent and Child Health Lab at Florida International University.
Both sour and spicy foods generate painful responses, though they activate different nerves in the body. When saliva breaks down spicy food, capsaicin travels to the throat, nose, and esophagus and activates nerves involved in the sense of touch, said Robert Pellegrino, a postdoctoral fellow at the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia. The ensuing pain is similar to touching a hot stove. “You can feel spice everywhere,” Pellegrino said.
On the other hand, sourness activates taste nerves. When people eat sour foods, the body initiates a pain reaction because it detects an acidic substance that could be harmful if ingested.
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.
In addition, people often film these food challenges on social media, which triggers a similar dopamine release because it’s designed to positively reinforce our behavior through likes and follows. “I think a lot has to do with the status, the popularity, and the feedback that you get from other people,” Trucco said.
Cheney, a sheet metal worker by day, said he enjoys the community he has created online, which he views as a result of his passion for growing and eating peppers. “I’ve got so many people that went from not even eating hot stuff to having a tolerance and now eating spicy food daily. So it’s cool to get people joining in with me,” Cheney said.
While all these feel-good hormones may satisfy some individuals’ cravings, extreme food challenges have faced backlash amid several deadly incidents. Last year, a teen died in Massachusetts after attempting to eat a tortilla chip packed with chili pepper extract for a social media challenge. Extremely sour foods can also have harmful consequences: In April, a 10-year-old girl in the U.K. suffered burns in her throat after ingesting supersour candy she saw in a TikTok video.
Dr. Edwin McDonald, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center, emphasized that while spicy and sour foods are safe in moderation, extreme spice could mean a hospital trip. “Consuming some foods that have capsaicin in it may be associated with increasing longevity and decreasing the risk of cancer,” McDonald said. “But these are not the peppers that people are doing in the challenge.”
Extreme eating challenges can be dangerous for those with underlying medical conditions such as high blood pressure and asthma, said Dr. Chantel Strachan, an internal medicine physician and assistant professor at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. Because of the uncertainty, Strachan advised thinking twice before participating, and consulting a doctor ahead of time. “Unfortunately, we usually find out after a first attempt how you react to these substances,” she said.
Children and teens tend to be most susceptible to social media challenges, which is why Trucco said parents should pay attention, too. “The way these challenges are depicted, it’s very glamorized, you only see the benefits,” Trucco said. “As a parent, it’s really important to be aware of what they are and have those open conversations with your children.”
The Psychological Reasons Behind the Attraction to Extreme Foods
As humans, we are constantly seeking new experiences and sensations that stimulate our senses and emotions. One such area where this is evident is in the consumption of extreme foods, such as spicy peppers and sour candies. The psychological reasons behind why some individuals are drawn to these types of foods are complex and fascinating, shedding light on our innate desire for thrill and excitement.
The Thrill of the Challenge: Understanding the Psychology of Extreme Food Consumption
For individuals like Nelson Cheney, also known as “@craving_capsaicin” on TikTok, the consumption of extreme foods is more than just a culinary choice—it is a way of life. Cheney, who has amassed a following of over 1.1 million on the social media platform, describes the adrenaline rush he feels when eating extremely spicy foods as akin to winning a race. This sensation-seeking behavior is a common trait among individuals who are drawn to extreme foods, as it provides a sense of excitement and accomplishment.
According to Elisa Trucco, director of the Research on Adolescent and Child Health Lab at Florida International University, extreme food challenges attract individuals who have a psychological affinity for sensation-seeking and reward-seeking behaviors. The perceived danger of consuming these foods stimulates a fight-or-flight response in the brain, triggering the release of endorphins and dopamine, which make people feel good. The sense of accomplishment that comes from overcoming a potentially dangerous situation further reinforces this behavior.
The Pain and Pleasure of Extreme Foods: A Closer Look at Spicy and Sour Sensations
Both spicy and sour foods elicit painful responses in the body, albeit through different mechanisms. Spicy foods, containing the chemical compound capsaicin, activate nerves involved in the sense of touch, leading to a sensation of heat and pain. On the other hand, sour foods trigger taste nerves, initiating a pain reaction due to the detection of acidic substances that could be harmful if ingested.
Despite the initial pain caused by these extreme food sensations, the brain has the ability to override this response. Paul Rozin, a professor of psychology at the University of Pennsylvania, explains that humans can differentiate between serious and “benign” pain, allowing them to derive pleasure from overcoming the body’s signals of potential harm. This ability to override the pain response contributes to the appeal of extreme food challenges for some individuals.
The Role of Social Media in Extreme Food Challenges: Seeking Status and Validation
In today’s digital age, social media plays a significant role in shaping our behaviors and perceptions. The filming of extreme food challenges for platforms like TikTok and YouTube not only provides a platform for individuals to showcase their culinary feats but also triggers a dopamine release in response to positive reinforcement through likes and follows. Elisa Trucco highlights the importance of status, popularity, and feedback in driving individuals to participate in these challenges, as they seek validation and recognition from their online communities.
Nelson Cheney, who has built a community of like-minded individuals on TikTok through his passion for growing and eating peppers, emphasizes the sense of camaraderie and support that comes from engaging in extreme food challenges online. Despite the potential risks associated with these challenges, the positive feedback and sense of belonging fostered by social media communities can be a powerful motivator for individuals like Cheney.
The Dark Side of Extreme Food Challenges: Balancing Risk and Reward
While the allure of extreme food challenges may provide a sense of excitement and fulfillment for some individuals, it is essential to recognize the potential dangers associated with these activities. Several incidents of severe injury and even death have been linked to extreme food challenges, highlighting the need for caution and moderation when consuming spicy and sour foods.
Dr. Edwin McDonald, a gastroenterologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center, emphasizes the importance of consuming extreme foods in moderation, as excessive spice can lead to adverse health effects that may require medical attention. While certain foods containing capsaicin have been associated with potential health benefits, the extreme peppers used in challenges are not the same and can pose serious risks, especially for individuals with underlying medical conditions.
Dr. Chantel Strachan, an internal medicine physician and assistant professor at Columbia University’s Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, warns that extreme food challenges can be particularly dangerous for children and teens, who are more susceptible to social media influences. Parents are urged to have open conversations with their children about the risks of these challenges and to seek medical advice if necessary.
In conclusion, the psychological reasons why some individuals are drawn to extreme foods are multifaceted, encompassing a desire for thrill, excitement, and social validation. While the consumption of spicy and sour foods can provide a sense of accomplishment and community, it is important to approach these challenges with caution and moderation to ensure the safety and well-being of individuals. By understanding the underlying motivations behind extreme food consumption, we can better navigate the fine line between risk and reward in our culinary pursuits.
