the Carolina Reaper Thunderclap Case

turkeydance

Well-Known Member
Life Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 17, 2017
Messages
4,430
Location
nc
Rating - 100%
4   0   0
quote:
A 34-year-old man with no significant medical history presented to the emergency room (ER) after an episode of thunderclap headache. His symptoms began with dry heaves but no vomiting immediately after participation in a hot pepper contest where he ate one ‘Carolina Reaper,’ the hottest chili pepper in the world.
link:
http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2018/bcr-2017-224085
 
Wimp. I put half a Reaper in my breakfast some days. I used only tolerate a whole habañero. Now I can put 2 and it not that hot.
I made a double batch for my wife and me one day. Half a reaper in it. She was cussing me out later that day. :p:Do_O
 
Anything that hot cant be good for you.

Gutz.......if you aint BS'n you are a tough SOB.
 
Wimp. I put half a Reaper in my breakfast some days. I used only tolerate a whole habañero. Now I can put 2 and it not that hot.
I made a double batch for my wife and me one day. Half a reaper in it. She was cussing me out later that day. :p:Do_O

You are a sick SOB. I like Habanero's, but Ghost, Reapers and Scorpions are Satan Spawn!
 
This article has more info on the case.

If you're thinking of entering a hot chili pepper eating contest, you might want to think twice, doctors caution. Their warning comes after treating a young man in the hospital who suffered excruciatingly painful headaches after eating a "Carolina Reaper," long considered the world's hottest chili pepper.

In a case study published in the journal BMJ Case Reports, doctors describe a 34-year-old man who came to the emergency room after the onset of a thunderclap headache — a severe and sudden pain in the head. The pain began with dry heaves immediately after eating the chili pepper.

"It started all of a sudden as severe pain in the back of the neck and then spread to all over the head," study author Dr. Kulothungan Gunasekaran, of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, told CBS News. "That's typical of a thunderclap headache."

Over the next few days, the man kept getting these brief but excruciating headaches. They only lasted a few seconds each, but the pain was so severe he went to the ER. Gunasekaran was one of several doctors who treated him.

Ghost pepper-eating contest leaves man with a hole in his esophagus

The patient was tested for various neurological conditions, but the results came back negative.

Then a CT scan showed several of the man's arteries in his brain had constricted, which led to a diagnosis of reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, or RCVS. This condition is characterized by a temporary narrowing of the arteries accompanied by a thunderclap headache. It doesn't always have a specific cause, but it can be brought on by certain prescription medications or after taking illegal drugs.

This is the first case to be associated with eating chili peppers. Neurologist Dr. Gregory H. Cummings made the diagnosis after reviewing scientific literature and finding that eating cayenne pepper has been linked to sudden constriction of the coronary artery and even heart attacks.

"Given the development of symptoms immediately after exposure to a known vasoactive substance [substances that cause constriction of blood vessels], it is plausible that our patient had RCVS secondary to the Carolina Reaper," the authors wrote.

The patient's symptoms cleared up on their own and a follow-up scan five weeks later showed the affected arteries had returned to their normal width.

Doctors say the case report should make other health care providers aware that RCVS can be brought on by eating chili peppers. Consumers should also be vigilant about the risks if they attempt to eat a Carolina Reaper, Gunasekaran cautions.

"For people who eat this chili pepper and then experience these symptoms, this kind of thunderclap headache, seek medical attention as soon as possible," he said, "because while our patient came out of this with no issues, in very rare cases RCVS can lead to stroke."

The Carolina Reaper scores a sky-high 1.6 million on the Scoville heat scale, which measures the concentration of capsaicin in peppers. It held the Guinness Book of World Records title for world's hottest pepper until a challenger called the Dragon's Breath came along last year with a 2.48 million on the Scoville scale.
 
I nev

I Never lie of peppers.
This morning was half a Scorcher Ghost pepper. Could have done more. I have to remember to turn the range hood on before I put the peppers and onions in the skillet. ;)

I believe it. My brother and another guy take turns bringing peppers into work and sharing them. They both grow a bunch of stuff in their gardens in Texas. So they eat raw ghosts, reapers and all sorts of stuff all the time. That's way beyond my skills.
 
I think I may have just burned my taste buds. Ha!

I do a wing recipe that has 16 fresh habanero's that I cannot handle. I've taken it down to 8 and added some honey and barbecue sauce to make it so I can eat more than 4 wings. Although I think blending those peppers along with the garlic chili sauce has permanently stained my blender. The wife is not impressed.
 
I believe it. My brother and another guy take turns bringing peppers into work and sharing them. They both grow a bunch of stuff in their gardens in Texas. So they eat raw ghosts, reapers and all sorts of stuff all the time. That's way beyond my skills.
I don't eat them raw. But I have burnt my nose rubbing it after touching reapers. One time I rubbed my eye not realizing I had touched the pepper. Ouch.
 
I must be an oddball because I find no pleasure in pain. Jalapenos are as hot as I go.

Terry
Everyone is different. My daughter can finally handle jalapeno peppers. She has more of a British pallet.
My wife can handle a lot more heat now than when we met nearly 30 years ago.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
There's a HUGE difference between HOT and flavorful. If it's not for the flavor then why do it?? I cook occasionally with jalapeno's but that's as far as I go since not everyone has the palate for hotter.....
 
There's a HUGE difference between HOT and flavorful. If it's not for the flavor then why do it?? I cook occasionally with jalapeno's but that's as far as I go since not everyone has the palate for hotter.....
I love the flavor of Reapers. [emoji6]

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
 
I've found that ghost peppers do have a very nice flavor when made into hot sauce, but the heat is very powerful. They're as hot as I'll eat, and even then, I don't eat them often at all.
 
I agree about the heat vs flavor thing. I'm not a fan of cayenne peppers because even though they aren't all that hot, they don't taste like anything but fire. Jalapenos are ok on a burger but taste similar to a bell pepper. My favorites are Scotch Bonnet (citrus), Thai Dragon (ginger) and sauces made with ghost peppers. I know my limits and I'm not eating one of those raw. hell no!
 
As someone who has had thunderclap headaches before, I wouldn't wish one on anyone. They make migraines seem like a walk in the park. I legitimately thought I was dying the first time I had one.. Scariest moment I've had in a long time. I remember telling my wife, "If I die, put some pants on me before the First Responders get here..."
 
You build up tolerance for heat of peppers very quickly.

All these new peppers are great on the bunghole the next morning.
 
I do a wing recipe that has 16 fresh habanero's that I cannot handle. I've taken it down to 8 and added some honey and barbecue sauce to make it so I can eat more than 4 wings. Although I think blending those peppers along with the garlic chili sauce has permanently stained my blender. The wife is not impressed.

Now you got me wanting some hot wings. lol
 
For those that think habaneros are all about the heat, they have a taste unlike anything else; very fruity, smoky, and sweet.

I'm pretty sure I've had a thunderclap headache from one swig of a King Cobra bottle.
 
There's a HUGE difference between HOT and flavorful. If it's not for the flavor then why do it?? I cook occasionally with jalapeno's but that's as far as I go since not everyone has the palate for hotter.....

Ageed. And while I can eat hotter I have always found that the pain didn’t justify the reward. IOW, more heat does not equate to more and better flavor.

I think some people equate heat tolerance to manliness. I’m sure some enjoy the pain on a masochistic level and a few actually do find more flavor.

For me a jalapeño level of heat is about all I care for anymore.
 
I planted a Carolina Reaper, hopefully it will produce for me. I will update the results here in the future.
 
I don't eat them raw. But I have burnt my nose rubbing it after touching reapers. One time I rubbed my eye not realizing I had touched the pepper. Ouch.

I did the same thing except I went to take a leak, not rub my nose.
 
Back
Top Bottom