First we will start with what not to do. Do not drink water. What makes peppers hot is capsaicin and it is an oil, oil and water do not mix, you will only spread the capsaicin if you drink water. What you should eat or drink after you have completed the challenge are dairy products containing a high fate content and Casein. This is a protein found in milk that acts as a detergent, binding to the capsaicin molecules. Casein is hydrophilic (water-attracting) and lipophilic (fat-attracting), which allows it to dissolve the capsaicin oils and wash them away from the receptors in your mouth that detect heat.

Can a Carolina Reaper kill you?

Not likely. For a person who is not allergic to fruits, capsaicin, or any of the particular natural chemicals in the pepper, it s highly unlikely that it will kill you. If you have any underlying medical conditions, talk to your doctor before consuming them. Interestingly, the pain you feel is actually limited to mammals. Birds do not have the same pain receptors as mammals and do not even notice the heat, nor do they experience adverse reactions to eating peppers. This is believed to be a design of nature, allowing the birds to eat the peppers and transport the seeds to faraway lands, thus ensuring the survival of the pepper species.

How hot is a Carolina Reaper?

The Carolina Reaper is renowned for its extreme spiciness, typically ranging from 1,569,300 to 2,200,000 Scoville Heat Units (SHU), making it over 200 times hotter than a jalapeño. Its heat comes from high capsaicin content, which can cause intense burning, sweating, and other physical reactions. The sensation lasts significantly longer than with milder peppers due to its potency. While the exact heat can vary, a Carolina Reaper consistently ranks as one of the world s hottest peppers.