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Comment by PaulHoule | Hacker News Reader

I've seen hints in literature written in the 19th century that some people ate red pepper to get high.

To enjoy Capsaicin as a stimulant mix copious amounts of the powdered red pepper with honey. Taking it for a few days screws up my stomach though.

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How exactly does it screws you up?

It plays hell on all of the mucous membranes it comes into contact with, stomach and intestines included. I'm not sure if it can give you an ulcer, but in my experience, if you've already got one, it can be debilitatingly painful.

> I'm not sure if it can give you an ulcer

No, it cannot.

> The most common causes of peptic ulcers are infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve). Stress and spicy foods do not cause peptic ulcers.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/peptic-ulcer/...

Thanks! Doctors aren't always clear on the difference between treatment of symptoms and addressing the cause.

It is also a surprisingly recent learning on the cause. Such that many older doctors and family members probably still remember the old thinking.

(1) Heartburn, (2) Ass pain when it comes out the other side.

I used to adore spicy food and about 4/5 Thai spicy was my jam. But sometime in my late-20s my body decided it didn't like it anymore and now if I so much as smell a pathetic jalapeño I have to run to the bathroom. I can eat a couple pickled peppers and get away with it but even "mild+" at whatever Asian establishment is too much.

It's really quite tragic.

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