Spicy Stuff.mov (FULL)

Starches like bread, rice, or potatoes can help soak up the oily capsaicin and physically block receptors.

Capsaicin doesn't actually burn your skin or mouth; it tricks your brain into thinking they are on fire. Spicy Stuff.MOV

The heat in spicy foods comes from , an oily compound that binds to TRPV1 receptors in the mouth and throat. Starches like bread, rice, or potatoes can help

Cold water. It only spreads the oily capsaicin around your mouth, often making the burn worse. Starches like bread

Heat is measured in Scoville Heat Units (SHU). For context, a jalapeño is roughly 2,500–8,000 SHU, while a Carolina Reaper can exceed 2 million SHU.