Why does Mexican food seem almost habit forming?
Studies have indicated that the ingestion of chiles releases endorphins in the brain. Endorphins are chemical compounds designed to act much as does any pain killer such as morphine. So, when the heat in your mouth signals your brain that something painful may be occurring, it reacts by producing a small amount of a very potent drug-like substance that creates an overall feeling of pleasure. I do not find the same effect to be present, at least not to the same degree, in other chile-laced cuisines such as those of Sichuan and India, science notwithstanding. Perhaps it has something to do with the combination of cheese, corn, and endorphins.
