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The bhut jolokia, commonly referred to as ghost pepper or naga chili, has the potential to be lethal, though such an outcome is highly unlikely. Yvan Cohen/LightRocket via Getty ImagesFor some, the fiery kick of jalapenos, whether fresh or pickled, is an essential addition to nearly every meal, any time of day. Biting into a jalapeno releases a spicy intensity ranging from 2,500 to 5,000 Scoville heat units. However, consuming a ghost pepper, or bhut jolokia, elevates the heat to an entirely new and excruciating level.
The Scoville scale quantifies the spiciness of chili peppers and chili-based products like hot sauce. Capsaicin oil is extracted from the pepper and given a Scoville rating, which can range from zero to several million units. For instance, a green bell pepper scores zero, whereas the ghost pepper exceeds 1 million units, making it the first pepper to achieve such an extreme rating.
Biting into a ghost pepper delivers an unparalleled surge of heat. The receptors on your tongue detect the pepper's intensity and send signals to your brain, which perceives it as a fiery, painful invader. This triggers a series of reactions in your body as the capsaicin in the pepper causes widespread inflammation, disrupts nerve endings, dilates blood vessels, and creates an overwhelming sensation of heat. Suddenly, you feel unbearably hot.
Your body reacts with a fierce rebellion. But how severe could it get? Is consuming ghost peppers potentially fatal?
Indeed, consuming ghost peppers could be lethal. Research indicates that a 150-pound (68-kilogram) individual would need to ingest 3 pounds (1.3 kilograms) of dried, powdered capsaicin-rich peppers, such as the ghost pepper, to reach a fatal dose. These conclusions are based on studies examining capsaicin's toxic effects on animals.
Fortunately for spice enthusiasts, your body would likely surrender long before reaching a lethal dose of capsaicin. The pain and inflammation would become unbearable. Capsaicin is particularly harmful to the eyes and respiratory system, which is why pepper spray is an effective deterrent. With 2 million Scoville heat units, pepper spray can incapacitate an attacker. In India, the birthplace of the ghost pepper, the Defence Research and Development Organization once created grenades using bhut jolokia, though they discontinued their use due to the chili powder's vulnerability to fungal decay.
In 2016, a participant in an eating contest consumed a ghost pepper and experienced severe mouth burning. He drank six glasses of water to alleviate the heat, a counterproductive move (milk is a far better option). The excessive vomiting caused a tear in his esophagus, leading to a collapsed left lung. He was hospitalized for 23 days and discharged with a gastric tube, as reported in the Journal of Emergency Medicine. Such cases, however, remain exceptionally rare.
Why do some individuals tolerate the intense heat of ghost peppers more effectively than others? Researchers suggest it’s a learned skill. Over time, capsaicin destroys pain receptors in the mouth, transforming what might be agonizing for beginners into a mild, enjoyable warmth for seasoned enthusiasts.
Once crowned the world’s hottest pepper, the ghost pepper has since been dethroned by several contenders, including the reigning champion, the Carolina Reaper, which exceeds 2 million Scoville units. Unofficially, Pepper X claims the title of the hottest pepper globally, reportedly reaching an astonishing 3.2 million Scoville units.
