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Anyone who is a fan of Sriracha will tell you they love that hot feeling in their mouth. But why does the red rooster sauce burn so good? Scientists have discovered an interesting fact: the heat in chilies can make you high. Say what???
This video from the American Chemical Society breaks down the science behind Sriracha. The culprits are capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, two chemical compounds that 'trick' our nervous system into thinking we've touched something extremely hot like boiling water. That's when our brain kicks in releasing endorphins to combat the heat, thus giving us a natural high.
When you consume Sriracha this phenomenon repeats itself. Of course, this explains why hot sauce addicts go as far as snacking on Sriracha candy canes and lollipops. Learn more about this spicy addiction by watching below:
Via Food Beast & NPR
