sensation of irritation or pain. The mustard
thiocyanates appear to act in a similar way in
the mouth and nose.
Why Pain Can Be Pleasurable
Why should irritating spices be our favorites?
Psychologist Paul Rozin has proposed a
couple of different explanations. Perhaps
spicy foods are the edible equivalent of riding
a rollercoaster or jumping into Lake Michigan
in January, an example of “constrained risk”
that sets off uncomfortable warning signals in
the body. But since the situations are not truly
dangerous, we can ignore the normal meaning
of these sensations and savor the vertigo,
shock, and pain for their own sakes. The
sensation of pain may also cause the brain to
release natural pain-relieving body chemicals
that leave a pleasant glow when the burning
fades.