Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum or Capsicum frutescens) has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly within Native American and folk herbal practices. Its primary active constituent, capsaicin, is known to stimulate the body and create a sensation of heat, leading to its traditional use as a circulatory stimulant and metabolic enhancer. Historically, cayenne has been used to "invigorate" the body, believed to support energy, vitality, and the body's response to stress—effects often associated with the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), which governs the "fight or flight" response. However, direct traditional references to "supporting the sympathetic nervous system" are rare, as this is a modern physiological concept; instead, descriptions focus on increased alertness, improved blood flow, and heightened energy. In modern herbalism, these traditional uses are sometimes extrapolated to suggest cayenne may stimulate or "support" SNS activity, based on the observed increase in heart rate, thermogenesis, and metabolic rate after ingestion. Scientifically, capsaicin does activate certain pathways that overlap with sympathetic activity (such as transient increases in catecholamines), but robust clinical evidence specifically linking cayenne to overall SNS support is lacking. Thus, while tradition provides a rationale for its use as a general stimulant, there is limited direct scientific validation for its specific action on the sympathetic nervous system.

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