How Cayenne Pepper Shots Improved My Health + Mornings

I am the girl who eats Flamin’ Hot Cheetos as if there is nothing spicy about ’em, so I was pretty confident about taking my first cayenne pepper shot. Let me tell you… it rocked my world! It’s pretty wild for a good 10-15 seconds, but then I was hooked.

Please use your best judgement and consult your healthcare provider before trying out cayenne pepper shots.

WAIT, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT REGULAR CAYENNE PEPPER?

Yes that red, hot spice that produces a powerful heat most commonly used in cooking. The active ingredient in cayenne pepper is called capsaicin, which also has medicinal properties. Native Americans, Korean, Japanese and Chinese healers and Indian Ayurvedic traditions have used that ingredient for a variety of cures. 
 

WHY WOULD ANYONE TAKE A SHOT OF CAYENNE PEPPER:

The benefits are vast. I am going to highlight a few of the many, but I encourage you do do some research to see how cayenne pepper can personal help you and any symptom you may be dealing with. I really can’t speak highly enough of this one. I’ve never felt so good so early in the morning… no caffeine require.

CAYENNE PEPPER BENEFITS:

• Clears congestion – It may come as no surprise that the heat from cayenne peppers can help loosen up phlegm and mucus in your lungs and nasal passages so you can get rid of it (great for cold + flu season!)
• Reduces headache pain – The capsaicin in cayenne peppers is thought to bring about headache relief by depleting Substance P, a neurotransmitter that helps send pain signals
• Aids in weight loss – Science shows that cayenne pepper contains heat-producing compounds that create a phenomenon known as thermogenesis, which consumes oxygen in your body and can result in weight loss
• Fights inflammation – Capsaicin is currently being studied for its ability to treat painful sensory nerve disorders such as arthritis and psoriasis. Animals fed foods containing this substance were also found to benefit by easing swelling and pain from arthritis
• Helps stop the spread of prostate cancer – A study at the Los Angeles School of Medicine revealed that capsaicin has the power to slow the growth of prostate cancer cells and even destroy them
• Lowers Type 2 diabetes risk – Ingesting chili peppers has been found to lower the amount of insulin needed to lower your blood sugar after a meal. Further, the more often hot pepper is included in your meals, the less insulin is required

source

PERSONALLY, I NOTICE IT:

• Increases Circulation – this is something I feel immediately 
• Headache Reliever – I clench my jaw and have major allergies so I often wake up with headaches; when I’m consistent with this I notice it helps so much with headaches as well as overall pain management
• Eases Upset Stomach– I read this and gave it a try when I had a stomach ache. It worked!
• Metabolism Booster – I believe when combined with good nutrition + regular workouts, this can help even more with a healthy lifestyle

I learned a lot about cayenne here – it’s a resource I found very helpful and you may too!
 

CAYENNE PEPPER SHOT RECIPE

Ingredients:

• 1/8 – 1/4 tsp organic cayenne pepper 
• 2-3 oz mixer – orange juice helps cut the spice
• shot glass + lid, here

note: I know people who take a full teaspoon of cayenne pepper in their shot so do your own research, ask your healthcare provider and do what works best for you

Instructions:

1. I like to put my orange juice in a shot glass with a lid (I use THESE)
2. Add in cayenne pepper (start small!)
3. Shake it up
4. Drink it down

because of the vasodilation effect, I also like taking my cayenne shot 30-60 minutes before a workout. If you do, get ready to sweat!! Otherwise, I do this first thing in the AM! I take this only 1x per day so it’s either or.
 

WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN YOU DRINK A CAYENNE PEPPER SHOT

You’ll stand there with your cayenne pepper shot in hand, talking yourself up: “You can do it. Do it now. Go. Go. Go.” Years later and I’m still convincing myself each time I take a shot of this.

You’ll feel an immediate burn. You may even think, “why did I do this?!” However, just seconds after taking the shot, the burn starts to fade. Truly, it’s about 10 seconds of “pain” and I’ll gladly take being uncomfortable for 10 seconds for all the benefits I gain.
Pretty soon after taking the shot, you will likely feel the warm fuzzy feeling that I’m addicted to. When I take a tiny bit of cayenne, I don’t feel this as much; it’s more so when I worked up to more that I noticed the warm fuzzies. It flushes the body… you may even heat up a bit. It’s energizing. Warm. And I can’t help but think about all the health benefits flooding my body. 
 

Cheers, friend. If you try this I can’t wait to hear your first impressions so be sure you upload to social and tag me @laurengleisberg #LGAccountability so I can see!