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Old 08-24-2008, 09:05 PM   #22
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Default Re: Medical question concerning peppers...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Crpdeth View Post
... I "need" habanero in just about everything...Crpdeth
The brain reacts to the pain-causing capsaicin by releasing endorphins, the natural chemical that heroin and other opiates mimic. That's also the explanation for why people get "addicted" to running and other hard exercise. It does become a "need" as you put it, and can be legitimately be considered an addiction, though it's to a chemical your brain is producing in reaction, not to the external stimulus itself.

Try going without it for three days and see what happens - warn family members first, though, you may be irrationally grouchy.
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