system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: Why do some of us enjoy spicy food?
gpt
I don't think rarely_explain_jokes' first bit is right at all.  Spicy food, as in the sensation of heat via capsaicin, is independent of taste buds.  It activates the same pain signal channel as heat, called TRPV1 - a calcium-based nerve channel that is usually activated above 99 degrees F.  Capsaicin binds to the TRPV1 channel and causes it to activate below its usual activation temperature.  It has nothing to do with taste itself.

As for why people enjoy it: the body releases endorphins - natural opiates and pain killers - when pain signaling nerves are activated.  Thus, spicy food essentially helps flood your system with feel natural good chemicals!