Their burning sensation comes from seven related alkaloids that only mammals can detect.

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Until the people of Mali get their culture back, they will be left with a burning sensation in their throat.

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Soda is also associated with symptoms of gastro-esophageal reflux disease, when the contents of the stomach leak back up and cause a burning sensation in the esophagus.

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Some 20% of Americans experience symptoms of reflux of stomach contents at least weekly, including a burning sensation in the chest or throat or regurgitation, according to the National Institutes of Health.

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Conventional analgesics can do little to ease this burning sensation which seems to be similar to the phantom pain often suffered by amputees but some sufferers say that a joint at bedtime makes the difference between their sleeping and not doing so.

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