Feeling a bit blah lately? Bored with your usual food routine? You may have heard hot sauce can provide a rush of euphoria like a “food high.” As a fellow
The good news is, the “high” from hot sauce is very real. But it’s not exactly the same buzz you’d get from tequila shots or certain illicit substances. The spicy ingredient capsaicin causes your brain to release feel-good endorphins, creating temporary euphoria similar to a runner’s high.
However, go overboard on the Scoville units and you could be looking at stomach cramps, acid reflux and more unwanted side effects.
So can hot sauce make you high, safely? Yes, with moderation. Read on to learn how to harness that spicy euphoria without harming your health. I’ll share tips for painlessly leveling up your food’s thrill factor and still being functional after the meal. A touch of heat could be just what your taste buds need!
The Science Behind Hot Sauce and Euphoria
Here’s what’s actually happening when hot sauce makes you feel high:
- Spicy compounds like capsaicin bind to pain receptors on your nerve endings. This sends signals to your brain that you’re burning.
- Your brain reacts by releasing endorphins – your body’s natural opioids that block pain and generate feelings of euphoria.
- You get a rush of pleasure and calm similar to a “runner’s high.” This hot sauce high is temporary and subsides after eating.
So in essence, yes – hot sauce can genuinely cause a mild, endorphin-fueled high! But there are some key things to understand:
Hot Sauce High vs. Being High on Drugs
While hot sauce releases endorphins like opiate drugs, the highs are NOT equivalent. Some key differences:
- Hot sauce gives a short-lived euphoria of 30 minutes to an hour max. Hard drugs can intoxicate you for hours.
- The endorphin rush from spicy food is way less intense than from prescription pain meds or illicit opioids.
- Hot sauce is non-addictive. Drug highs often lead to dependence and addiction.
- There are no nasty side effects like impaired cognition or motor skills. You remain functional.
So while the term “hot sauce high” is catchy, it’s misleading. This mild buzz is from normal biological processes, not getting wasted!
Is the Hot Sauce High Harmful?
This depends on how much hot sauce you consume. While endorphins are your body’s natural painkillers, too much capsaicin can have negative effects:
- Stomach cramps, pain, bloating
- Nausea, acid reflux, heartburn
- Stomach ulcers
- Diarrhea or temporary constipation
- Dehydration from increased thirst in response to spiciness
Moderation is key. Enjoying a few teaspoons of hot sauce likely causes minimal issues. Dousing your meals excessively can irritate your digestive tract and cause the unpleasant effects above.
Tips for a “Safe” Hot Sauce High
With reasonable amounts, you can safely capitalize on that endorphin rush from hot sauce and add excitement to mealtimes. Some tips:
- Start with just a 1⁄4 teaspoon of hot sauce and work up slowly as tolerated.
- Focus on flavor, not just burn. Balance heat with other seasonings.
- Hydrate well before and after eating spicy dishes.
- Opt for hot sauces low in sodium, sugars and preservatives.
- Avoid heavy/creamy foods, as these exacerbate heartburn.
- Take antacids if you experience reflux or stomach discomfort.
- Eat spicy foods alongside cooler, non-spiced items in the same meal.
- Know your personal limits and cease consumption if side effects arise.
The Best Hot Sauces for Chasing a “High”
Not all hot sauces are created equal when it comes to delivering that euphoric rush. Here are some good picks:
Cholula
This iconic Mexican sauce has a moderate heat level, but enough punch to release endorphins without brutalizing your mouth. The blend of arbol and piquin peppers provides a bright, tangy flavor.
El Yucateco XXXtra Hot Habanero
Made from smoky, floral habaneros, this hot sauce ranks around 15,000 Scoville units. The creeping heat gives a nice endorphin buzz without total meltdown.
Queen Majesty Scotch Bonnet & Ginger
These Caribbean-style sauces combine Scotch bonnets with warming ginger. Great flavors with a solid heat level to light you up.
Secret Aardvark Habanero Sauce
This unique hot sauce has amazing flavor from roasted tomatoes and carrots. Just the right amount of habanero
Yellowbird Serrano Condiment
Yellowbird uses serrano peppers, which have higher levels of capsaicin than jalapeños. You’ll definitely feel the burn with this sauce – in a good way.
Can You Get Addicted to Hot Sauces?
While hot sauce releases feel-good endorphins, it does NOT cause true addiction or dependence like opioids. Your brain’s reward pathways don’t get rewired.
However, some may develop a psychological affinity or craving for the thrill of spicy foods. This likely will not escalate to dangerous levels or withdrawal if you stop. Moderation is still wise though.
When Hot Sauce Euphoria Becomes Concerning
While most can safely enjoy spicy flavors in reasonable amounts, use caution if:
- You compulsively use hot sauce despite repeated health consequences
- You need drastically more and more to achieve the same thrill
- You struggle to cut back or quit chasing the high
- You’re self-medicating physical or emotional distress with hot sauce
In these cases, reducing hot sauce intake with a doctor’s help may be beneficial. Hot sauce should accent life, not become an unhealthy obsession.
Time to Turn Up the Heat!
For us chili-heads, hot sauce makes meals vibrant and exciting. And yes, it can provide a bit of a rush by triggering the brain’s feel-good chemicals. By using hot sauce wisely, we can reap the benefits of this “food high” without health risks or dependence.
So grab your favorite bottle of heat and start spicing up your meals! Just remember to listen to your body, drink plenty of water, and reach for antacids if you overdo the Scoville units. A touch of fire in your food is thrilling, but safety first. Let’s get burning – responsibly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some common questions about hot sauce and feeling high.
Q: Is the hot sauce high anything like being drunk?
A: No, a hot sauce high is very different from alcohol intoxication. You remain sober and in control of your faculties. It merely produces a short rush of pleasure, not impairment.
Q: Can you fail a drug test after eating a lot of hot sauce?
A: No, hot sauce will not cause you to fail a drug test. It does not contain any illicit compounds, just natural capsaicin that triggers endorphins.
Q: Is it possible to get addicted to the feeling hot sauce gives you?
A: It’s unlikely, as hot sauce does not contain addictive compounds that rewire brain pathways like drugs. But some may develop a psychological affinity toward chasing the heat high.
Q: What should you do if you accidentally consume too much hot sauce?
A: Drink milk or eat yogurt to help counteract the burn. Take antacids for heartburn. Avoid spicy foods for a few days to let your digestive system recover.
Q: Can children or pregnant women enjoy spicy foods safely?
A: Very spicy foods are not recommended for kids under 4. For older kids and pregnant women, mild salsa and small amounts of hot sauce are likely fine, but check with a pediatrician or OBGYN.
