TL;DR: Neurospicy brain
- “Neurospiciness” is a new term for “neurodivergence” intended to be light-hearted. It has gained popularity on TikTok.
- People may say “I am neurospicy” to highlight that they live with neurodivergent symptoms if they don’t want to use the term “neurodivergent” or the names of their diagnoses.
- The phrase “neurospicy brain” can help people with neurodivergence feel more comfortable talking about their cognitive differences.
Neurospicy meaning in a nutshell
You’ve probably already faced TikTok videos with #neurospicy or seen a chili pepper picture on T-shirts, notebooks, or pins.
But what is neurospicy? Can someone explain what this term means and why everyone is talking about it? If you’ve ever faced questions like this, keep reading — this is the article you sought.
What does neurospicy mean?
Simply put, this term is another way to say “neurodiverse.”
You won’t find this word in medical dictionaries or official diagnoses. Nonetheless, it’s gaining popularity on social networks, as people find it rather empowering.
Saying, “I live with neurospicy symptoms,” or “I live with a neurospicy brain,” sounds more fun, simple, and approachable for some people.
What is a neurospicy person?
So, we understand that this quirky word is just a more playful way to describe a neurodivergent person. But let’s delve a little bit deeper.
“Neurospicy” has a metaphorical meaning:
- First, it evokes a typical aspect of online culture (especially among younger generations) to refer to something uncommon as “spicy.”
- Second, the chili pepper visual reference is meant to highlight the intensity of experiences those who are neurodivergent may experience.
- Third, the term is meant to refer to a variety of emotions and sensations much like spicy cuisine. This may include flavorful blends including tangy aspects, just as neurospicy individuals may experience “tangy” aspects of neurodivergent personality and thought, capturing their unique complexity.
Fun fact: “Neurospicy” may be one of the most widespread synonyms for “neurodiversity,” but it isn’t the only one. Some people in the neurodivergent community also say that they are neuroatypical, neurodiverse, neurodistinct, neurowonderful, and more.
We asked Stephanie Palacios, PsyD, MFT, what using different terms like “neurospicy” or “neurowonderful” means to people. Here’s what she thinks, “From what I’ve seen, it seems like those who prefer to use “neurospicy” appreciate the casual and fun tone of the term, and for those individuals, it may help ease a sense of awkwardness in sharing their neurodivergence.”
If you’re wondering, “Am I neurodivergent?”, you can take a free and quick test from Breeze to check yourself for neurodiversity symptoms and gain personalized insights about your well-being.
Neurospicy VS. neurodivergent
“Neurodivergent” is an unofficial term people use to describe those whose brains work in a “non-typical” way. This can include various cognitive differences and mental health conditions. The most common ones are:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
- Autism and ADHD Overlap (AuDHD)
- Dyslexia
- Dyspraxia
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
As Dr. Stephanie Palacios states, “Neurodivergent’ is a fairly new umbrella term itself, yet social media has taken to the concept quickly, and new interpretations of what previously may have been considered deficits are now being highlighted as potential strengths. Even workplaces are already taking note of how neurodivergence can bring unique strengths to a team and organization. That’s the exciting potential future of the concept.”
So, why do we talk about “neurospicy VS. neurodivergent”?
For some people in the neurodivergent community, “neurodiversity” may sound too complicated and intimidating. The terms “neurospicy” and “neurospiciness” allow them to share their experiences in a way that feels less clinical and more connected to everyday social-media lives.
This is what Reddit users say about the neologism:
- “It’s just a fun self-descriptor for NDs. I call myself neurospicy all the time.“
- “It’s a way of expressing neurodivergence with a less-stigmatized term and a fun metaphor. “Spiced” food is culturally important, but some cultures find it difficult to account for certain spices. Same goes for “Spiced” neurology.”
- “It plays into the idea that being neurodivergent is something cute and quirky.”
What about those who prefer “neurodivergent”?
While some people like saying that they have neurospicy symptoms, others might prefer using “neurodivergent,” “neurodiverse,” names of their diagnoses, etc.
Why does this happen?
“Neurospicy” is gaining popularity in some circles, it is doing so particularly among younger generations on social media, and it is not widely accepted by the neurodivergent community just yet.
There are those in the ND community who find “neurospicy” uncomfortable to use for its centering on pop culture and trendy language use. They prefer the more established (though still quite new) term “neurodivergent,” which is not shaped by social media trends. It also defines the community through the term itself — “neuro” and “divergent.”
There’s also a part of the ND community that sees the use of humor as offensive, given the seriousness of the issues to which the term refers. They think using playful or light-hearted language can trivialize their challenges and undermine the need for proper understanding. There is concern that “neurospicy” lessens the seriousness of their mental health conditions.
Others in the ND community see “neurospicy” as a step backward in the fight to gain awareness and acknowledgment, particularly in the clinical and medical community.
There is an added social justice component to consider. The terms “neurospicy” or “neurospiciness” may cause strife in intersectional Latine and Hispanic ND communities. There, the term “spicy” can be polarizing between those who experience being called “spicy” as deeply offensive and those who have reclaimed the term and self-expressed with the term.
Where’s the truth? It’s different for everyone.
The most effective and supportive thing you can do when communicating with people in the neurodivergent community is to ask what words they prefer to describe themselves. This will be the most polite and caring approach.
5 neurospicy symptoms
So, we’ve almost crossed the finish line. What’s left?
If you suppose that you’re neurospicy or have a close one who experiences something similar, let’s briefly review the common symptoms. This will help you understand yourself and the people around you better and seek support if necessary.
It’s vital to note that each of them is self-standing, meaning that someone could be neurodiverse and only have one of them.
- Problems with executive function. Inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity are visible parts of the ADHD iceberg. Nonetheless, these symptoms are common for other people with neurodiversity as well.
Those living with neurospice can have problems with time management and difficulties with multi-tasking. They might get distracted easily and find it challenging to adapt to new situations.
- Sensory sensitivity. ADHD overstimulation is another well-known term that is common for many neurospicy brains. Do you feel overwhelmed when there are too many stimuli around? Loud music, crowded areas, bright light, and intense smells may feel overwhelming.
In fact, everyone can feel that “it’s too much” at times, but for neurodiverse people, this is more common because their threshold is lower.
- Emotional intensity. “Why am I so emotional?” Have you ever thought like this? While it’s typical for people to face intense feelings, neurospicy people may feel it a bit differently.
You may find it difficult to control your emotional responses — which is called emotional dysregulation — or you might get numb or detached. This heightened sensitivity can lead to swift mood changes, intense reactions to seemingly small events, and a feeling of being on an emotional rollercoaster.
- Repetitive behaviors. Finally, hyperfixation comes to the stage. What does neurospicy extreme concentration mean? It’s an all-consuming focus on a particular interest, often to the point of blocking out everything else.
You can immerse yourself so deeply in something that you would spend countless hours or even days captivated by a single subject. While this intense concentration can lead to extraordinary achievements, it can also make it tough to shift to other responsibilities.
In summary
You’ve discovered a lot about it in the previous sections, so now let’s sum up what we’ve learnt.
“Neurospiciness” may be used as a celebration of a person’s identity. Stating that you’re neurospicy highlights that someone isn’t better or worse. They are just different.
Last but not the least. Can you imagine Dory — who has symptoms of ADHD — from the “Finding Nemo” animated film saying something like, “I suffer from short-term memory loss because I’m neurospicy”? Perhaps, yes.
But can you imagine her saying, “I’m neurodivergent”? Most likely, no. It doesn’t fit her personality. The same happens in real life with some people living with neurodiversity. The language they choose to describe their experiences is likely to match their personality and views on many different topics.
What’s the conclusion? Whether you or a loved one is neurospicy, it’s essential to embrace the unique ways neurodivergent minds work. By celebrating the differences, you can manage challenges and shine a light on the incredible strengths and talents that come with neurodivergence.
