Hallucinations can be caused by extremely hot chili peppers. It is thought that the hallucinations are caused by the body releasing a massive amount of endorphins to act as a painkiller against the heat of the peppers. Other foods that have been reported to cause hallucinations include nutmeg, moldy rye bread, sea bream, and caffeine. However, many of these require ingesting large amounts and can cause flu-like symptoms.
More about chili peppers:
- The pungency of chili peppers is measured by the Scoville scale. For example, bell peppers are the lowest on the scale, with a Scoville rating of zero, whereas cayenne pepper measures between 30,000-50,000 Scoville units. Ranking highest on the scale are the Trinidad Moruga Scorpion and Carolina Reaper peppers, each measuring between 2 million and 2.2 million Scoville units.
- Capsaicin, the chemical in peppers which gives them their heat, is used in pain relievers for arthritis, headaches, and pain caused by mastectomies.
- Chili peppers are rich in vitamins, such as B vitamins and iron. Their nutrient density varies depending on their color.