Slate: Just how much heat can one mouth take?

Chances are you’re one of millions who enjoy the nose-running, body-sweating, stomach-churning, mouth-burning effects of spicy food. Why do we, as a species, willingly (and enthusiastically) subject ourselves to this? What’s really happening to our bodies when we dig into the hottest curry on the menu?

Here are some explanations of what’s physically going on inside you when you load up on heat.

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