Hydration and electrolytes weren’t issues in this case, so after making it back to shore, the two scientists began to look for an answer. They began to focus on his muscles, and thought that something had to cause the impulses in the nervous system that sent his muscles to cramp.
After looking through existing research, they hypothesized about modifying the nervous system, including the motor neurons controlling the muscle, by applying a strong sensory input and by stimulating receptors in the mouth and esophagus. This is how scientists describe ingesting pungent tasting foods. These pungent tasting foods can overload the nerve receptors, producing a numbing effect.
They put their theory into action by making spicy drinks in the kitchen with ingredients such as ginger and cinnamon. He induced cramps with electrical impulses and that’s when he realized that it was harder to induce cramps after drinking those spicy drinks.
Drinking spicy drinks is a growing trend for athletes. There are products such as Hot Shot, which is a mix of ginger, cinnamon, and capsicum that people take similar to power shots, except this one is specifically for muscle cramps. The solution is simple; it’s about tricking the nerves which deliver information throughout the body. If you trick them into staying in line by shocking them with spicy drinks, then your muscles don’t cramp.
