FameLab UK Final 2017 - Mike Daniels (Manchester)

Summary

The speaker humorously addresses their inability to tolerate spicy food due to a sensitivity to capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers. They explain how capsaicin tricks the mouth into feeling like it's on fire by activating heat receptors, leading to pain and sweating as the body tries to cool down. The video offers advice for alleviating the effects of spicy food, suggesting high-fat foods or high-proof alcohol as effective remedies, instead of water, which fails to dissolve capsaicin.

Takeaways

• 🌶️ The speaker has a sensitivity to spicy food, which they describe as a 'debilitating disorder'.
• 🔥 Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, is responsible for the sensation of heat and pain.
• 🚪 Capsaicin opens ion channels in nerve cells, triggering an electrical impulse that signals pain.
• 🔥 The TRPV1 receptor, activated by capsaicin, is responsible for detecting high temperatures and pain.
• 💦 The body reacts to the perceived heat by increasing blood flow to the skin and activating sweat glands to cool down.
• 😳 Drinking water is not effective in relieving the burning sensation caused by capsaicin, as it doesn't dissolve in water.
• 🥛 Consuming dairy products like milk, yogurt, or lassi can help neutralize the effects of capsaicin by dissolving it.
• 🥃 High-proof alcohol is also effective in dissolving capsaicin, providing relief to those who overindulge in spicy food.
• 🍽️ The speaker humorously addresses their personal struggle with spicy food and offers advice to others in a similar situation.
• 🧠 The script provides a scientific explanation of the body's physiological response to spicy food.

Q & A

What is the debilitating disorder mentioned in the script that affects the speaker?

The debilitating disorder mentioned is an inability to handle spicy food, which causes discomfort and pain when consuming capsicum annuum, also known as the bird's eye chili.

What is the active ingredient in chili that causes the sensation of pain?

The active ingredient in chili that causes pain is capsaicin, which opens ion channels in nerve cells and sends an electrical impulse to the brain's pain centers.

How does capsaicin trick the body into thinking it's experiencing heat?

Capsaicin activates the TRPV1 receptor, also known as the noxious heat receptor, which is responsible for detecting painful levels of heat. This receptor can be activated by capsaicin, tricking the body into thinking it's experiencing heat even if the actual temperature is not high.

What are the physical reactions the speaker experiences after consuming spicy food?

The speaker experiences excruciating pain, a red shade on the skin, and excessive sweating. These reactions are the body's attempt to cool itself down in response to the perceived heat from capsaicin.

Why is drinking water not an effective way to alleviate the burning sensation from spicy food?

Drinking water is not effective because capsaicin does not dissolve in water. Instead, it can spread the capsaicin around the mouth, potentially worsening the sensation of burning.

What type of food or drink can help neutralize the effects of capsaicin?

Foods or drinks high in fat, such as milk, yogurt, or lassi, can help dissolve capsaicin and neutralize its effects.

Why is high-proof alcohol suggested as a remedy for the burning sensation caused by capsaicin?

High-proof alcohol is effective at dissolving capsaicin, which can help to clear out the burning sensation in the mouth.

What is the scientific term for the receptor that capsaicin activates to create a burning sensation?

The scientific term for the receptor that capsaicin activates is TRPV1, which stands for Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1.

How does the body try to cool itself down when experiencing the burning sensation from spicy food?

The body tries to cool itself down by sending blood to the extremities and opening sweat glands to lose heat through evaporation.

What is the speaker's advice for those who experience a burning sensation from spicy food at a curry house?

The speaker advises to avoid water and instead opt for a shot of vodka or consume dairy products like milk, yogurt, or lassi to help dissolve the capsaicin.