Why does adaptation to capsaicin in chili peppers lead to decreased perceived pungency over time on the tongue?

💡 Explanation

Long-term capsaicin exposure causes TRPV1 receptor endocytosis, decreasing the number of receptors available for activation; therefore, the perceived pungency diminishes over time, rather than masking from endorphins, odor fatigue, or simple dilution via increased saliva.

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