Capsaicin / Capsimax
The compound that makes chillies hot. Mild thermogenic / metabolic effects orally; potent topical pain relief in standardised creams.
Modest oral evidence for metabolic / weight effects. Strong topical evidence for pain in OA, post-herpetic neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy. Effects: weeks for metabolic; weeks for topical pain (sustained use needed).
Capsaicin is the active heat in chilli peppers (Capsicum). Orally — usually as the encapsulated 'Capsimax' (which avoids stomach burn) — it modestly raises metabolic rate, suppresses appetite, and supports fat oxidation. Effects are real but small. Topically, capsaicin creams (0.025–0.075% OTC, 8% Rx patch) deplete substance P from sensory nerves, providing meaningful pain relief in osteoarthritis, post-herpetic neuralgia, and diabetic neuropathy. The patch is FDA-approved Rx (Qutenza).
- Form
- Capsimax (beadlet-encapsulated capsaicin — oral, avoids gastric burn). Capsaicin creams 0.025–0.075% OTC topical. Qutenza 8% patch Rx.
- Dose
- Oral: 2 mg Capsimax daily. Topical cream: apply 3–4x daily to affected area.
- Timing
- Oral: pre-workout or with meals. Topical: as-needed for pain.
- Schedule
- Daily.
- Side effects
- Oral: stomach burning (mitigated by Capsimax form). Topical: initial burning, redness — usually subsides over a week of use.
- Interactions
- Anticoagulants — mild additive. Antihypertensives — mild additive BP lowering. ACE inhibitors — capsaicin can worsen cough.
- Contraindications
- Active GI ulcers. Severe IBS / IBD. Topical: damaged skin, eyes.
- Lab markers
- Not standard.
- Food sources
- Chilli peppers, hot sauce, cayenne. Culinary use provides smaller doses than supplements but real cumulative effects.
Pairs with
Caffeine + green tea (thermogenic stack). Oral capsaicin pre-workout combos.
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