Well, the 47 year old Darwin award-winner compounded his problem by drinking water which caused him to vomit and that may have torn his throat.
I’ve read that the ghost pepper was bred simply for its extreme heat and not for anything else.
Habaneros, as hot as they are have a wonderful flavor.
It seems to me that there is more than a little masochism involved plus the ever present macho. My wife is a good Thai cook but the heat is not lasting or uncomfortable for the normal Thai. That’s hotter than most Americans like but not painful or long lasting.