Chili Peppers for Pain

Researchers may have discovered a new hot-chili-pepper-based pain reliever, a new study reports.

Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, explained that most local anesthetics (pain relievers) used clinically are relatively hydrophobic molecules that gain access to their blocking site on the sodium channel by diffusing into or through the cell membrane. These anesthetics block sodium channels, and thereby, the excitability of all neurons, not just sensory neurons.

The study tested the possibility of selectively blocking the excitability of primary sensory nociceptor (pain-sensing) neurons by combining a derivative of the common anesthetic lidocaine with capsaicin, the ingredient that makes chili peppers hot. They injected the chemicals into the paws of rats and measured their ability to sense pain from a heat source. The study found that the animals were able to tolerate much more heat than usual.

Researchers then injected the anesthetic near the sciatic nerve of the rats and pricked their paws with nylon probes. The animals seemed to ignore the painful prick, but continued to move normally and responded to other stimuli.

The study authors concluded that the drug may be useful in surgical procedures and childbirth and may also eventually lead to more effective chronic pain treatments.

Comments

[Corrin]

This study showing that capsaicin blocks pain is really interesting. Now, does anyone know whether eating chili peppers or using them in some other way will do anything for pain? I love spicy foods and I'm wondering if ingesting capsaicin would have similar effects.

[Justin A.]

There is an anesthetic that can selectively target only the sensory neurons? Wow, that is quite a breakthrough! Does anyone know why the combination of lidocaine and capsaicin is able to be selective while lidocaine alone cannot act in the same manner?

[Khella]

"Researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts, explained that most local anesthetics (pain relievers) used clinically are relatively hydrophobic molecules that gain access to their blocking site on the sodium channel by diffusing into or through the cell membrane. These anesthetics block sodium channels, and thereby, the excitability of all neurons, not just sensory neurons."

I don't understand what this passage means. Can somebody please clarify this for me?

[Cindy]

I think capsaicin has been applied to the skin to treat arthritis for many years. The idea of injecting into a person (or a laboratory animal in this case) is new.

I just read an article that said eating peppers might interfere with the breakdown of acetaminophen (Tylenol). As a result, patients may be able to get the same pain relief with lower doses of acetaminophen. But you should talk to your doctor before trying to come up with your own home remedy.

[Lena]

Khella-

Basically, this just means that most pain relievers get into your cells easily because they are 'hydrophobic,' or literally, 'water fearing'. They then work on the molecular level by blocking sodium channels. These sodium channels are normally responsible for firing signals that your brain interprets as pain. Therefore, when these channels are blocked, you don't feel pain.

[mandy]

I am aware of the use of capsaicin topically. The combination of capsaicin and lidocaine looks promising and may help in certain surgeries and situations where only the blockage of the sensory neurons is ideal. It will be very exciting to see what other studies will follow this one and how far this idea will go.

[RN]

I've heard that name brand Zostrix cream works better than generic.There is also a version called XP or XS, I think. It's very expensive. Is it prescription only? Supposedly, people get used to the burning/tingling feeling over time but sometimes have a hard time sticking to it until then. It's a big commitment to rub it in multiple times daily, but if it works might be worth it. Don't get it in your eyes though!!!

[MD]

AKA blocking substance P, which causes pain.

[Yogi]

I haven't heard of capsaicin products that are applied to the skin. Do they work for different types of pain or just arthritis? I have chronic knee pain that is caused by a scarred ligament rubbing against my joint. Could capsaicin help relieve some of this pain? Would it be safe to try it out and see if it works? I don't like having to take ibuprofen every day because I'm worried about the side effects.

[Joanna]

Yogi,

I'm not sure that using a capsaicin cream would be effective on a joint with scar tissue, as it seems to be used mostly for serious nerve pain, and I would be careful about just testing it out before knowing more. It seems that some studies have found that using it incorrectly can cause sensitization.

I couldn’t find too many details about the mechanism of action of this new combination though. I would be interested in understanding how they came up with this idea. Anyone know anything more?

[Chloe]

Cindy,

The article you are talking about sounds interesting. Where did you find it? How does the interaction lead to peppers making pain relief possible with lower doses of acetaminophen?

[Eli]

This seems really promising, although it's hard to judge anything from an animal study. I'm also a bit wary of the method of administration. Would it be worth it to receive injections to minimize pain? How long before each injection wears off? It seems a bit impractical to constantly have to administer a pain reliever in this way. Can this be taken in any other form?

[Jane]

I agree with Eli. If this actually does work, I wonder if it'd be worth it to receive injections. I guess it all depends on how severe your pain is. Some people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis have to get corticosteroid injections every few months to reduce their pain.

[Maryann]

What is AKA blocking substance P? I just read about this in another abstract, and I had no idea what it was referring to. Does anyone have any ideas? Where is it found in the body?

[Sue]

I think it will be a long time before this could be an accepted pain reliever during childbirth. But nonetheless, it is definitely interesting research.

[Sheila]

How do you measure pain in rats? Pain is so subjective that it's often difficult to measure in humans. How can researchers tell if a rat is in pain when it can't talk?

[Deanna]

Since this study was only done on rats’ ability to sense pain from heat, this chemical combination may not even be effective in the same way if it’s used during surgery, childbirth, etc. Aren’t different types of pain processed differently? And wouldn’t this affect the mechanism of action for this type of pain killer?

[Verizon]

Many cardiologists actually tell their patients to eat lots of hot peppers to increase circulation and blood flow, which helps to prevent deadly blood clots that can lead to heart attack and stroke.

In fact there's also a hot pepper nasal spray actually being sold called 'Sinus Buster.' It's an all-natural nasal spray (the world's first hot pepper nasal spray), and it's been accepted as a breakthrough for relieving inflammation and pain associated with chronic headaches, as well as sinus and allergy conditions.