Say What? Doctors are testing hot sauce to see if it can relieve the pain of surgery.
In a previous article I explained how researchers were testing to see if the main ingredient in chili peppers, capsaicin, we able to be used as an anesthetic during surgeries (they tested on lab rats) but now doctors seem to be taking things a step further.
A report on Yahoo News is stating that doctors are "dripping the chemical that gives chili peppers their fire directly into open wounds during knee replacement surgery and a few other highly painful surgeries."
The experiments do use an ultra-purified version of capsaicin (thank god because THAT makes all the difference) and they have the volunteers anesthetized so they don't feel the initial searing pain (again, THANK GOD).
So what's the point? Well, researchers are hoping that bathing the surgically exposed nerves, in a high enough dose of capsaicin, will numb those nerves for weeks thus causing less pain for the patients and requiring them to take fewer painkillers.
For a more complete explanation on how capsaicin works check out: Chili Peppers as an Anesthetic amd check out this Yahoo picture that explains visually how it works.
Wow, this sounds quite innovative! I've tried capsaicin adhesives for muscle pain, but I can't say I experienced pain relief. In fact, I had the impression my skin was burning, thus exacerbating the pain. Perhaps it works differently when applied directly on the nerves?
I've also read about capsaicin's use in anti-allergy nasal sprays and its potential as a cancer therapeutic.
Posted by: Ruth | October 30, 2007 7:41 PM | Permalink to Comment