16 million SHU was the top end of the scale, as that’s the level of pure capsaicin. However, they discovered another chemical called resiniferatoxin that activates the same receptors, but apparently has roughly 1000x higher activity, so the theoretical limit (for now) is 16 billion SHU.
Now, as to whether any human could notice a difference at levels that high is another question entirely.
Correct. But op asked if there is a theoretical limit. Not a safe limit. The existence of that itself means capsaicin is not the theoretical limit. If you read the post he is specifically asking what lies at the extremes of this chemical
Capsaicin is also a toxin. We’re just gluttons for punishment. The plant doesn’t want us to eat it. It wants birds who aren’t affected to eat it and carry the seeds off farther
16 million SHU was the top end of the scale, as that’s the level of pure capsaicin. However, they discovered another chemical called resiniferatoxin that activates the same receptors, but apparently has roughly 1000x higher activity, so the theoretical limit (for now) is 16 billion SHU.
Now, as to whether any human could notice a difference at levels that high is another question entirely.
RTX would also kill an average person in around 9-10g, so that becomes a question as well
Oh yes, very important to point out. It is a toxin, after all.
I think Tabasco Chipotle is roughly the ceiling.
Theoretically, 16 million scoville units as that's pure refined. Capsaicin
There are other compounds that activate the receptors far more potently than capsaicin.
But not in regular food, RTX is basically a neurotoxin
Correct. But op asked if there is a theoretical limit. Not a safe limit. The existence of that itself means capsaicin is not the theoretical limit. If you read the post he is specifically asking what lies at the extremes of this chemical
Capsaicin is also a toxin. We’re just gluttons for punishment. The plant doesn’t want us to eat it. It wants birds who aren’t affected to eat it and carry the seeds off farther
it’s definitely a neurotoxin, pretty sure it shuts down your nerves and can end up killing them