Oleoresin Capsicum (OC spray)

OC Spray day, got Sprayed in the face then had to do 20 push-ups then run across the grass and find the water hose.

Can you say PAIN. We did! and then we said, "WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER, WATER!!!!!!" I'm looking a lot better in this picture than I did right after it happened. Hopefully I'll never have to do that again.

Oleoresin Capsicum

In the early 1980’s Zarc International, Inc. introduced a proprietary “capsicum pepper technology” to be used as a safe and effective non-lethal weapon by military and law enforcement. “Capsicums” are chili peppers which occur in many varieties that range from mild to hot. Capsicum encompasses twenty species and some 300 different varieties of pepper plants. “Oleoresin” is the industrial extraction of the dried ripe fruits of capsicums and contains a complex mixture of highly potent organic compounds.

Inflammation of Mucous Membranes

Natural Oleoresin extract of Capsicum contains Capsaicin which causes the irritation of the trigeminal cells. These cells are pain receptors located in the mouth, nose, stomach and the mucous membrane. They release Substance P (SP), a chemical messenger that communicates any pain or skin inflammation to the brain.

SP is a neurotransmitter. Neurotransmitters are inter-cellular chemical messengers that are secreted by neurons (nerve cells) across specialized structures (synapses) to transmit chemical information to one or more target cells.

Capsaicin as an irritant compound present in CAP-STUN induces neurogenic inflammation upon local application. In recent years this agent has been used extensively in research on primary sensory neurons because of its selective action on a population of C-fibre afferent and possibly also on an A-delta fibre type. Capsaicin stimulation of sensory nerves not only produces central transmission of sensory signals but also releases SP from central and peripheral sensory nerve terminals.

Substance P (SP) belongs to the Tachykinin family, which represents a group of biologically active peptides with a similar sequence of amino acids in the C-terminal region. SP was the first peptide of the tachykinin family to be found in mammals.

Substance P Arg-Pro-Lys-Pro-Gln-Gln-Phe-Phe-Gly-Leu-Met-NH2

The natural release of SP is therefore likely to represent a direct action on postcapillary venules or smooth muscle cells. Both capsaicinoids and SP act as Spasmogens on certain viscera containing smooth muscle causing contractions. Substance P is one of the key causes of total incapacity effects causing contraction of the oesophagus, trachea, respiratory track and iris muscles of the eyes.