The Substance P reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Substance P

In neuroscience, Substance P is a neuropeptide: a short-chain polypeptide that functions as a neurotransmitter. It is especially involved in the transmission of pain impulses from peripheral receptors to the central nervous system (it derives its name from the first letter of pain).

It has been theorised that it plays a part in fibromyalgia. Capsaicin has been shown to reduce the levels of Substance P.

It has also been speculated that substance P is responsible for the burning "pain" sensation in the mouth while eating strong curried foods. Since the amount of substance P in the body can decrease over time, it has been theorized that this is the reason why frequent curry-eaters seem more comfortable eating spicy foods (including curry).

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