How long does capsaicin last?

Capsaicin is the active compound in chili peppers that gives them their signature spicy heat and pungent flavor. But how long do the effects of capsaicin actually last once it enters your body? Here's a look at the duration of capsaicin in different contexts.

How long does capsaicin last in mouth?

When you first bite into a chili pepper, the capsaicin immediately hits your taste buds and sensitive nerve endings in the mouth. This causes that intense burning sensation associated with spicy foods.

Capsaicin powder activates the TRPV1 receptors in the mouth and throat which register heat and pain. This stimulation sends signals to the brain that the mouth is literally on fire, even though no actual burn has occurred.

In most cases, the fiery sensation from capsaicin starts to fade within 5-10 minutes after consuming the pepper or spicy food. However, the length of time varies based on:

• Scoville rating - The higher the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), the longer mouth and throat tend to burn. Habanero and ghost peppers will linger a lot longer than jalapeños.

• Quantity consumed - Eating a whole raw habanero will cause more extended burning than just a slice or two. The more capsaicin you consume, the longer it affects the mouth.

• Tolerance level - People who eat spicy food regularly tend to have a higher tolerance and shorter recovery times for oral capsaicin exposure. The burning lasts longer for those not used to fiery foods.

• Food and drink - Dairy, bread, rice, and other bland starches can help grab onto the capsaicin oil and wash it away faster. Sugary or acidic drinks provide quick relief too.

So while the oral burning may start to decrease within 10 minutes, it can potentially last up to 30 minutes or longer if an extremely hot pepper was consumed.

How long does capsaicin last on skin?

Getting concentrated capsaicin oil on the skin or sensitive mucous membranes can also cause a painful burning sensation, sometimes for an extended period.

Accidentally rubbing your eye after cutting hot peppers can cause severe irritation and stinging for up to an hour. There are also horror stories of cooks going to the bathroom after chopping chilis without washing hands first - resulting in agony that lasts as long as 15-20 minutes.

Capsaicin-based personal defense pepper sprays incapacitate attackers by causing severe burning pain in the eyes, nose, throat and skin that can persist for up to 45 minutes after exposure.

When capsaicin makes direct contact with skin, it can cause redness, inflammation, and a prickling, painful sensation that may last anywhere from 20 minutes up to a few hours. The timing depends on factors like:

• Concentration - Pepper spray has a higher concentration (around 2-3%) than the capsaicin content in a jalapeño or habanero pepper. Higher concentration equals longer lasting and more intense sensation.

• Quantity - Getting just a drop or two of oil on the skin will cause less extended irritation compared to a heavy splash.

• Location - Thinner skin areas like around the eyes, lips, and nose absorb the capsaicin and feel the burn faster than thicker skin surfaces like hands and arms.

• Tissue - Mucous membranes in and around the eyes, nose, mouth, and genitals are most sensitive to capsaicin with the longest recovery times.

To help remove skin irritation, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and cool water. Dairy products can help absorb some of the capsaicin too. The stinging usually starts fading within an hour or two but can potentially last longer with direct capsaicin contact.

How long does capsaicin last in stomach?

Once capsaicin makes it way through the mouth, throat, and esophagus, it enters the digestive system and can still impact the stomach and intestines.

At first, ingesting capsaicin may cause symptoms like stomach pain, cramps, abdominal burning, and heartburn. Some people report feeling their "stomach is on fire" after eating extra spicy foods.

However, pure capsaicin powder has a very low bioavailability when ingested, meaning not much is directly absorbed through the gastrointestinal lining. Capsaicin's pungency and heat are mostly temporary irritations in the digestive tract.

For most healthy people, these capsaicin-related discomforts start to resolve within 30-90 minutes after a spicy meal as the compounds pass through the system. But if you have gastrointestinal ulcers, acid reflux, or other underlying conditions, that burning sensation could linger for hours.

Drinking milk, yogurt, aloe vera juice, or other cooling foods and liquids can help calm inflammation in the stomach and intestines after eating fiery foods.

Further in the intestines, pure capsaicin extract can stimulate the release of mucus secretions which protect the gut lining. It may also promote vasodilation of intestinal blood vessels to boost circulation.

So while capsaicin causes short-term burning discomfort during digestion, it does not appear to cause long-term gastrointestinal damage in most cases when consumed in moderation.

How long does pepper capsaicin last?

While the initial reaction to capsaicin is burning, stinging, and inflammation, there is some evidence that later on it can have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects in parts of the body.

Pure Capsaicin creams are sometimes used to temporarily relieve joint and muscle pain associated with arthritis, backaches, and more. Menthol is combined with the capsaicin to provide a cooling sensation.

The initial application of capsaicin cream causes a stinging, burning feeling that usually lasts between 5 to 10 minutes. But then the area may feel numbed and less painful for up to several hours, possibly due to depletion of substance P neurotransmitters that relay pain signals.

However, more clinical research is still needed to determine efficacy and optimal usage guidelines for topical capsaicin in pain relief applications.

Capsaicin powder may also have some longer-term anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects when regularly consumed in the diet. But the exact mechanisms are still being investigated. Some effects may be related to capsaicin's interactions with the gut microbiome.

Conclusion

In summary, pure capsaicin extract causes a rapid but temporary burning sensation when coming into contact with sensitive surfaces like the mouth, throat, skin, eyes, and mucous membranes. This can last from a few minutes up to 45 minutes before dissipating.

Ingested capsaicin mostly acts locally in the digestive tract and is not highly bioavailable in the bloodstream. Any capsaicin-related discomfort in the stomach and intestines tends to resolve within 1-2 hours for most healthy people.

Topically-applied capsaicin creams may provide skin pain relief for up to several hours after the initial burning sensation fades. But more research is still needed.

While uncomfortable at first, capsaicin does not appear to cause any permanent damage or problems in most cases with moderate consumption. So spice lovers don't need to fear the burn thanks to capsaicin's short-lived effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common FAQs about how long capsaicin lasts:

Q: How long does the burning last after eating spicy food?

A: Oral burning usually lasts 5-10 minutes but up to 30 minutes for extremely hot peppers. Stomach discomfort tends to resolve in 30-90 minutes.

Q: Does capsaicin wash off skin?

A: Yes, thoroughly cleaning skin with soap and water can remove capsaicin. But the painful burning can last up to a few hours if a lot made contact.

Q: How long do capsaicin creams numb pain?

A: The initial burning lasts about 5-10 minutes, followed by a numbing effect that provides pain relief for up to several hours typically.

Q: Is capsaicin permanent or temporary in the body?

A: Capsaicin causes short-term irritation and inflammation, but does not appear to cause any permanent damage when consumed in moderation.

Q: How long does capsaicin stay in your stomach?

A: Capsaicin is not highly bioavailable from the stomach and mostly passes through to the intestines within 30-90 minutes.

Q: Do hot peppers have lasting side effects?

A: For most people, hot peppers do not seem to cause any lasting side effects or health concerns with moderate intake. The capsaicin discomfort is temporary.

References:

Kumar S, Mahadevan N, Vijayalakshmi G. Capsaicin: Current Understanding of Its Mechanisms and Therapy of Pain and Other Preclinical and Clinical Uses. Molecules. 2016;21(7):844.

Luo XJ, Peng J, Li YJ. Recent advances in the study on capsaicinoids and capsinoids. Eur J Pharmacol. 2011;650(1):1-7.

Rollyson WD, Stover CA, Brown KC, Perry HE, Stevenson CD. Bioavailability of capsaicin and its implications for drug delivery. J Control Release. 2014;196:96-105.

Srinivasan K. Biological Activities of Red Pepper (Capsicum annuum) and Its Pungent Principle Capsaicin: A Review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016;56(9):1488-1500.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Celine Xu is a botanist with over 15 years of experience researching and developing plant extracts for nutritional and pharmaceutical applications. She leads an R&D team focused on identification, cultivation and extraction of medicinal plants. Celine Xu earned a Ph.D. in Plant Biology has authored numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals about the health benefits of specific phytochemicals. She frequently speaks at industry conferences about new developments in plant extract research. Celine Xu is dedicated to advancing the scientific understanding of how targeted plant compounds can be used to improve human health.