An unexpected way to silence severe physical pain has been revealed

Researchers from Chongqing Normal University in China, led by Yizhou Zhou, discovered a surprising effect: the burning sensation in the mouth from spicy food can noticeably diminish the perception of strong physical pain, although it has no effect on mild pain. The results of the study were published in the journal Physiology & Behavior (PB).

Capsaicin — the active compound that gives chili peppers their famous heat — binds to TRPV1 receptors, which are responsible for detecting dangerous overheating of the skin and mucous membranes. The brain registers intense burning in response, even though no actual tissue damage occurs. This is precisely the mechanism behind capsaicin-based creams used to combat chronic pain: constant mild burning overloads pain neurons and eventually blocks the transmission of real pain signals.

To determine how a brief burning sensation in the mouth affects pain perception in other parts of the body, the scientists invited 48 healthy young volunteers to the laboratory. Each of them visited the experiment twice, approximately one week apart: during one visit, participants held a jelly cube containing pepper powder in their mouths for five minutes, and during the other — a plain water-based cube without any spices. Afterward, 40 laser pulses of two levels — low and high intensity — were applied to the back of the left hand.

With mild pain, no difference was recorded between the "spicy" and control visits. However, participants rated the strong laser pulses after the spicy jelly as noticeably less intense and unpleasant compared to those that followed the neutral cube.

At the conclusion of the experiment, the volunteers reported their dietary habits, and another pattern emerged: those who regularly preferred spicy food demonstrated lower pain sensitivity and were less apprehensive about potentially painful situations.

The study authors suggest that the burning pain in the mouth activates descending inhibitory pathways in the brain that suppress pain perception in another part of the body, and that capsaicin may additionally stimulate the release of endorphins. A simple attention-diversion effect cannot be ruled out either. At the same time, the scientists emphasize that the experiment was small and conducted exclusively among young Chinese students, so it is premature to extend the findings to other age and cultural groups.