The One Chip Challenge involves consuming a single tortilla chip seasoned with some of the world’s hottest chili peppers. The chip’s extreme heat comes from capsaicin, the active compound in chili peppers. Capsaicin is a chemical irritant, not a flavor, that triggers a severe physical response perceived as a burning sensation. Ingestion of this high concentration of irritant almost always results in acute gastrointestinal distress and severe stomach pain.
The Physiological Mechanism of Capsaicin Pain
The intense stomach pain results from capsaicin activating sensory nerve receptors throughout the digestive tract. This compound binds specifically to the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) receptor. These receptors are normally triggered by noxious heat or high acidity. Capsaicin essentially tricks these receptors into signaling to the brain that the stomach is experiencing a chemical burn or extreme heat.
Activation of TRPV1 receptors leads to an influx of calcium ions into nerve cells, causing them to send pain signals. This process triggers a neurogenic inflammatory response, releasing neuropeptides like Substance P and Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP). These chemicals contribute to inflammation, intense burning, and muscle spasms, manifesting as stomach cramping. The body interprets capsaicin as a toxin, initiating reactions like nausea and vomiting to expel the irritant.
Typical Timeline for Acute Gastrointestinal Distress
The duration of stomach pain is highly variable but progresses through distinct phases. The initial acute gastric phase, characterized by severe cramping and nausea, typically begins 15 to 60 minutes after consumption. This phase starts once the chip empties into the upper small intestine, where TRPV1 receptors are highly sensitive. For many people, the most agonizing pain peaks during this first hour and may last for 20 to 40 minutes.
General abdominal discomfort and cramping can persist for several hours, often lasting between three and six hours, until the capsaicin passes out of the stomach. In cases of extreme sensitivity, severe pain has been reported to last for 10 to 14 hours, sometimes taking up to 24 hours to fully resolve. The body’s transit time often shortens significantly when attempting to expel an irritant, moving the capsaicin rapidly through the digestive system.
Hours later, the capsaicin continues its journey through the lower intestines. Symptoms commonly reappear or intensify, leading to painful bowel movements or burning diarrhea, often experienced the next morning. The total duration of discomfort, from initial ingestion to complete resolution, can span up to 30 hours depending on individual physiology.
Immediate Steps for Symptom Relief
Immediate relief focuses on neutralizing the capsaicin and soothing the irritated stomach lining. Capsaicin is fat-soluble, meaning water alone is ineffective and may spread the irritant. Consuming dairy products, such as milk or yogurt, is highly effective. The fat and casein protein bind to capsaicin molecules, helping to wash them away from the receptors. Non-fat or low-fat milk may be preferable for the stomach to avoid worsening acid reflux symptoms.
Relief Methods
To further soothe the digestive tract, several methods can be employed:
- Bland, starchy carbohydrates such as bread, crackers, or rice can coat the stomach lining and absorb or dilute the capsaicin.
- Eating a banana can help settle the stomach due to its soft texture and natural antacid properties.
- Over-the-counter antacids containing calcium carbonate, like Tums, rapidly neutralize stomach acid, which is often overproduced by the irritation.
- For longer-lasting relief, H2 blockers such as famotidine (Pepcid AC) decrease the amount of acid the stomach produces for up to 12 hours.
Recognizing Severe Reactions and When to Get Help
While stomach pain is expected, certain symptoms indicate a severe reaction requiring immediate medical attention. Persistent, uncontrollable vomiting is a serious concern, as the force and acidity can damage the esophagus. Severe dehydration is also a red flag, indicated by an inability to keep liquids down, dizziness, or confusion.
Other serious symptoms include chest pain or difficulty breathing, linked to the body’s extreme physical response. Heart palpitations or a severe, unrelenting headache should prompt an immediate visit to the emergency room. If agonizing abdominal pain does not subside after several hours, or if any symptoms persist beyond 12 hours, seek professional medical evaluation.