New studies show that eating spicy food might not only excite your sense of taste but also reduce stress levels and improve your mood. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, releases endorphins and dopamine, both of which are neurochemicals nicknamed “happy hormones.”
Once capsaicin contacts pain receptors in the mouth (TRPV1 receptor), your brain registers that as a burning sensation, and to protect itself from the injury, your body releases endorphins to neutralize the “pain”. This neutralizing persists long enough to elicit a mild, euphoric high. And according to a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, capsaicin activation of the nervous system has mood-enhancing benefits.
Additionally, a study in Appetite in 2013 detected that people who eat spicy foods regularly have lower perceived stress levels. The dopamine release activated by capsaicin also facilitates motivation, pleasure, and emotional health.
Capsaicin has been demonstrated to have associated lower levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. With less cortisol being present, the body can cope with stress more effectively, which reduces the likelihood of the development of stress-related conditions like anxiety and depression.
As mentioned previously, the impact of spicy food is dependent upon your own spice tolerance and current health condition. Moderate consumption of capsaicin can legitimately help you improve your mood and mental wellness, but it can also cause gastrointestinal irritation if it’s in excess.
