From Chili-Eating Contests To Ultramarathons, Why Do We Seek Pain For Pleasure?

If you've ever burnt your hand on a stove and someone told you it's "all in your head," they're technically not wrong. Our sensory receptors communicate with the brain to create the sensation of pain.But if pain is... painful, why do some of us seek it out?To find out, journalist Leigh Cowart interviewed ultramarathoners, spice aficionados, lovers (practitioners) of BDSM, and other pain-seekers about why they do what they do.We talk about the link between pain and pleasure — and hear your stories and questions about pain on purpose.Want to support 1A? Give to your local public radio station and subscribe to this podcast. Have questions? Find us on Twitter @1A.