capsaicin

According to Albert Rizzo, chief medical officer for the American Lung Association, bear spray is a type of pepper spray, with an active ingredient — capsaicin — that’s derived from chile peppers.

He declined to discuss how much of a threat bear spray could pose to humans, other than noting that someone hit with bear spray would receive a higher dose of capsaicin than someone who was pepper sprayed.

Bear deterrents dispense in a fog pattern — versus the stream output of many pepper sprays — making it more likely that the capsaicin will get into an aggressive animal’s eyes, nose and throat.

When used properly on an aggressive bear, capsaicin deterrents are extremely effective.

When a drop of a chili pepper and ethanol solution is added to the sensor, the capsaicin from the pepper triggers the movement of electrons among the graphene atoms.

And contrary to the belief that eating spicy foods can cause stomach ulcers, capsaicin is reported to hold digestive benefits.

The chief constituents are a crystallizable resin, capsaicin, a volatile alkaloid, capsicine and a volatile oil.

Its discoverer states that capsaicin occurs only in the pericarp of the fruit.