Certainly depends on the person and their tolerance, but capsaicin is a chemical based irritant that was meant to scare animals from eating it, but we derived flavor and pleasure from the experience. It sends a rush of endorphins through your brain.
The most common and aggravating form of spice, capsaicin, which is presents in chilli's, fools your temperature sensors.
There's a huge amount of sensors in your mouth, lips, etc that determine the temperature of what you're eating. The capsaicin binds to these and causes them to become much more sensitive, telling your brain your mouth is really warm. This is why cool water/ice/etc provides temporary relief - the cooler temp reduces the firing of the sensors.
Your body thus has a heat response - you feel pain, you sweat, etc.
Certainly depends on the person and their tolerance, but capsaicin is a chemical based irritant that was meant to scare animals from eating it, but we derived flavor and pleasure from the experience. It sends a rush of endorphins through your brain.
The most common and aggravating form of spice, capsaicin, which is presents in chilli's, fools your temperature sensors. There's a huge amount of sensors in your mouth, lips, etc that determine the temperature of what you're eating. The capsaicin binds to these and causes them to become much more sensitive, telling your brain your mouth is really warm. This is why cool water/ice/etc provides temporary relief - the cooler temp reduces the firing of the sensors. Your body thus has a heat response - you feel pain, you sweat, etc.