His symptoms included dry heaving and intense head and neck pain.
Fortunately, an injury like this is rare.
Rozin has studied the unique appeal of chili peppers since the early 1980s.
The harmful effect of pepper consumption has not been studied in depth, Rozin says.
Some eaters experience inflammation of the digestive tract and some vomit from consuming a spice load they cant handle.
Such problems can be treated by over-the-counter remedies, time and a few days on a mild diet.
Its a good time for chicken and rice, he says.
Capsaicin is lipid-soluble and will be absorbed by the fat in these foods, he says.
The Worst-Case Scenarios
Most chili pepper bad trips can be resolved through small steps.
Doctors released him after a few days of treating and monitoring symptoms.
With no underlying medical condition, they concluded that the cause was his reaction to the pepper.
Its usually the bodily reaction to the pepper that causes the damage, says Rozin.
Why do we eat a food that literally causes pain?
Its like a roller coaster, says Rozin.
But even if aware it wont hurt you, you do it for the thrill.
The Hottest Peppers Are Getting Hotter
The spiciest long-cultivated peppers include the ghost pepper andTrinidad moruga scorpion.
Both blaze at about 1 million Scoville units.
Both held the Guinness World Record for a time and are the subjects of YouTube food challenge videos.
Ive taken a spoon and pressed it against the pepper and tasted it, he says.
It almost makes your food four-dimensional in that there is this element that usually isnt there, he says.
Its engaging you physiologically and releasing these brain chemicals that arent usually released.
