Why does your food feel like it's vibrating?A molecule that tricks your sense of touch.

From the show

Science Around You

The unique tingle of Szechuan peppercorns isn't a taste, it's a neurological illusion. Unlike the heat from chili peppers, this buzzing feeling is caused by a molecule that targets touch receptors in your mouth. This chemical stimulus tricks your nerves into sending signals to the brain that are interpreted as a rapid vibration. Your brain is literally feeling a phantom touch that isn't there.