Carolina Reapers Are No Joke: A Lighthearted Yet Painful Challenge

Aiden Starling

Updated Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 12:00 AM CDT

In a recently viral video on Reddit titled "Carolina Reapers Are No Joke," viewers witnessed firsthand the excruciating and often humorous aftermath of consuming one of the world's hottest peppers. The video captures a group of friends debating whether to start their fiery challenge, comparing the experience to eating hot Cheetos. One participant is advised against drinking milk, and another friend offers comforting words about a recent breakup, adding to the chaotic scene.

The Carolina Reaper, known for its intense heat, has left many who dare to eat it in severe discomfort. One commenter shared an alarming story about eating a Reaper and experiencing not just a burning mouth but also severe gastrointestinal distress. The commenter explained that the pain didn't end with the initial burn; it continued for days, causing significant discomfort "down there."

Another user described a harrowing experience where a friend with hemorrhoids ended up hospitalized after consuming the pepper, highlighting the dangers of such challenges. The video and accompanying comments also reveal that the pain can escalate to life-threatening situations, such as asthma attacks, allergic reactions, and even heart attacks.

One story stood out where a person, after eating a Carolina Reaper, described an intense need to use the bathroom, followed by severe stomach cramps and a near-blackout experience. Fortunately, they were revived by their partner with a cold bottle of water and a Nutella-smeared piece of bread, but the ordeal was enough to deter them from ever attempting such a challenge again.

The comments section is filled with cautionary tales and advice for those considering eating Carolina Reapers. Some users recommend avoiding milk and instead using pickle juice to neutralize the capsaicin oil. Others warn about the severe stomach cramps and the importance of not adding salt or heat to already spicy situations.

Despite some users claiming to have built a tolerance and even growing these peppers, the consensus is clear: consuming Carolina Reapers is not for the faint-hearted. The video serves as both a lighthearted and serious reminder of the potential dangers of eating extremely hot peppers.

For those who love spicy foods, it’s crucial to understand the risks and proceed with caution. Remember, what starts as a fun challenge can quickly turn into a painful and dangerous experience.

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View source: Reddit

Top Comments from Reddit

CreamPuffDelight

i've eaten one of those before. The initial burn was bad, but the worst part of it that people don't tell you is how their a****** ALSO burns for the next week or so. And i was the lucky one. There was another guy who ate one of those with me, and he had **hemorrhoids**. Long story short, he ended up in the hospital after we found him sobbing, screaming and squirming on the toilet floor, and to this day, has an intense fear of chili.

EnvironmentSome891

Pain in the mouth doesn't compare to pain in the a** when they poo

PureSelfishFate

Be careful you can die in 3 ways from doing this, asthma, allergic reaction, heart attack.

eeeeeeeeEeeEEeeeE6

Oh sure they are hot, and they burn and it's no joke. But what no one tells you if you don't know chilli, if you don't get those seeds out, *you will wish all it did was burn*. I had my Carolina reaper for a laugh, ooh, ow very hot was funny for about 5 seconds and then just ridiculously hot. But, eventually got over it, little shaken, a bit tired, decided time for a nap. Woke up about 40 minutes later with an *intense* need to s***, I don't remember standing or sitting up, one moment I was lying down, the next I was halfway to the toilet, touchdown with no mess, cool. Suddenly I felt like my whole body was burning up, just absolutely drenched in sweat, couldn't go, didn't wanna risk getting off the toilet, and then I felt like someone had set my stomach on fire from the inside, like a seriously bad pain, decide I'm gonna risk s***ting myself to ask my partner for help got two feet from the toilet door before my vision started to go black, lay down face first on the floor holding my stomach, and trying not to die or s*** myself, my partner stumples across me maybe 15 minutes later and shrieks but then starts laughing her a** off, gets me a cold bottle of water and a peice of bread with a smear of Nutella on it. I smash it all down and maybe a minute and a half later, totally fine, get up from the absolute puddle of sweat and laugh too but I definitely did not know that was a thing chilli's could do.

nebbors

They aren’t the hottest peppers anymore. Pepper X is almost 400,000 scoville hotter. Of course, they are still stupidly hot, but even hot pepper lovers are scared of pepper X.

cavecricket49

Why Why would you do this to yourselves

topIRMD

I tried this once w/ a ghost pepper. It was a thumbnail sized piece. Was s***ting explosive fiery diarrhea the next day. I have minimal spice tolerance since then (11 years ago) and have lingering GI issues

Arcanine1127

I had a hot sauce from Pepper Palace in Monterey and they have you sign a waiver to test the hot sauce out. It’s called The Flatline: The End and it was spicy and makes your body feel really hot. It’s mixed with a bunch of those high scoville peppers extracts, but I’m used to eating really spicy food and what I have told people and my friends was that if you don’t know what you’re doing or aren’t use to eating spicy foods do not try eating peppers like the Carolina Reaper or even extract sauces because they can kill you and people have died. Don’t do them for the lulz it can end bad if you aren’t use to them.

chezenbred

Why do people always do milk, it doesnt help. Use a small bit of Pickle juice. Milk can't break down the capsaicin oil. Trust me, swish a small amount of Pickle juice and it's like magic.

nexus6ca

Ghost pepper is my limit. I will never go hotter. Its just nuts.