Tag: Nerve endings

According to a study published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, a tingling sensation in the lips and mouth can be a scientifically verifiable reaction to certain compounds. This is why spices make my lips tingle, and the effect is far more complex than just heat, involving a precise neurological reaction to specific chemicals.

While capsaicin is known for its burning heat, a recent study from University College London found that a different compound, sanshool, can cause a distinct numbing and tingling sensation by activating touch-sensitive nerve fibers. This explains why the feeling of 'numbness' after eating spicy food is a very real, and normal, reaction for many people.