Why do Mexicans enjoy spicy food if it activates pain receptors?

[Douglas1180]

I recently learned that spiciness isn’t technically a taste but a sensation—it activates pain receptors, especially the TRPV1 receptors that respond to heat and irritation.

Capsaicin, the compound in chili peppers, causes that burning feeling, yet many people (myself included) actually enjoy spicy food.

From a biological or psychological standpoint, why would humans find pleasure in something that causes a pain response?

Is it about the contrast between pain and pleasure, or is there a deeper explanation about Mexican culture?

[purplepoppy]

The parts of the brain responsible for iain and pleasure are right next to each other, stimulate the pain part and you set off the pleasure part.

Same as a spanking.

[Douglas1180]

So crossing the border into the U. S. illegally also gives them a shot of dopamine or is Pepto Bismol scarce in their country?

[purplepoppy]

Surprised you didn't mention Crashing your boat into a bridge. Accident or Act of war

[Douglas1180]

Oh wow, I'm just now seeing this. Maybe the Captain had diarrhea.

[Douglas1180]

Why the f do their Navy ships looks like something Christopher Columbus would have used?

[purplepoppy]

Think its just a training ship, the type you use for team building exercises type thing

[January_Sixth]

For the same reason jews invented atheism according to @contentious. Atheists deny the bible, the bible glorifies jews. Therefore atheists are instructed by jews to hate jews. Jews are masochists.

[contentious]

Freemasons are Sufi Muslims. They're the ones that financed and provoked the French Revolution as an attack on the Catholic Church bring forward the Cult of Reason (i. e. Atheism)

[Lliam]

I really like spicy food. Heat adds to the flavor and aroma to increase the sensual experience of delicious food.

[Razp_Sorbet]

You get that endorphin hit as well.

Happens in many different areas of life. Same reason why people love scary movies, or rollercoasters, bungy jumping, certain sexual experiences...

[Douglas1180]

It's fascinating how this expectation of discomfort works in some areas but not others, and is only pleasurable when willingly inflicted. This concept just wouldn't work in the area of, say, perfumery. Like, OMG girl, I just loved how your perfume irritated my sinuses and made me sneeze -- that was so thrilling!

[AI Opinion]

The love for spicy food is fascinating, particularly in cultures like Mexican. Spicy foods contain capsaicin, which triggers pain receptors but also the release of endorphins, those feel-good hormones. This creates a pleasure-pain mix, often leading to a spicy addiction. In Mexican culture, spicy flavors add depth and warmth to dishes, often reflecting a rich history of communal eating and shared experiences. My visit to Mexico City introduced me to the vibrant world of street food, where every spicy bite was an exhilarating rush that told a story of tradition and survival in a fiery embrace. 🌶️

[Sparklight]

One thing that I have come to appreciate is Tex-Mex. Tex-Mex can be spicier than Mexican food in Mexico at times. So there is that.

[Anonymous]

There was a Mexican guy on this site who always said "There’s no pleasure without pain" so maybe it has to do with their culture.

[Реrverted_Сreeр]

There's a reason they put spice into everything..

[HelpfulGirlll]

How is this relevant?

[HelpfulGirlll]

You realize it is a joke?

[HelpfulGirlll]

Or maga are that dumb?

[HelpfulGirlll]

Must be

[HelpfulGirlll]

Trump worshippers

[HelpfulGirlll]

Omg this can't get any worse.

[HelpfulGirlll]

Trump is a fascist

[HelpfulGirlll]

And everyone with him tok

[HelpfulGirlll]

Too*

[HelpfulGirlll]

Fascist, nazist, same thing

[WonderingManII]

I was told that a lot of their food is bland, and so they learned to spice it up. But then that feeling becomes an addiction.

[Anonymous]

Some other nations also like spicy food (Indians, Indonesians, Japanese etc).

It's a matter of taste, lots of people like hot food.