Pepper spray was invented in the 1800s when it was used as a bright colorant in foods. The first documented use of this spray for use as a self-defense tool came about in 1836 when Jean Joseph Pierre Naigeon used it to protect himself against an attacker. Despite his invention and its early popularity, this spray was not widely accepted until decades later by law enforcement officers and soldiers on duty. 

In the 1980s they began to be carried along with stun guns by guards at banks and some US government buildings. Early civilian sales were slow due to the limited availability of pepper spraying formulations at the time which caused irritation to eyes or skin if you accidentally sprayed yourself during an altercation.

Nowadays, it is a staple for self-defense and those of us who own this tool have the ability, with the proper education, that could change the world for the better. The first law enforcement agency to use it was the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) in 1987. Since then, this spray has been seen as a necessity in law enforcement, as well as being distributed to citizens as emergency and self defense weapons.

This spray is a lachrymatory agent (a tear gas) that causes intense tearing, excruciating pain, and temporary blindness. It is an aqueous aerosol solution containing the active ingredient oleoresin capsicum (OC), or pepper spray.

The spray is available in both aerosol cans (to be applied onto the face of one's victim) or as a stream that can be used as a direct-aiming device. It usually comes in small containers but can also come in larger bottles for more powerful versions of the product; it may either be purchased commercially or produced secretly at home with readily available kitchen ingredients. 

The original, common use of this spray was as a crowd dispersal agent (short-range aerosol/stream spray) and is still used as such to this day, although recently it has been modified for use against multiple assailants. 

According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service, the primary components of oleoresin capsicum (OC), the active ingredient in spray, are capsaicin and polyhydroxyalkanoate leaving an oily resinous residue. 

Capsaicin is the pungent compound in hot peppers that causes their characteristic burning sensation when they are eaten raw or when they are allowed to come into contact with mucous membranes such as those on the eyes and skin. Capsaicin is also the compound in pepper spray that causes a burning sensation on the skin and eyes when sprayed. 

According to the United States Post Office, a 2008 ban on aerosol cans was enacted by Congress in response to oleoresin capsicum being used in violent acts against postal workers. In addition to capsaicin, at least one-third of the spray's chemical formula consists of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PEA), which are hydrocarbon chains with a variety of chemical compositions depending upon the source. 

PEA is sometimes used as an alternative name for acrylamide, which is also a non-polar chemical compound produced by some starchy foods. Acrylamide is known to be a neurotoxin capable of damaging sensory and motor nerve cells including peripheral nerves.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service, oleoresin capsicum plants are cultivated in many tropical areas and can be easily grown in any climate. 

When cultivating peppers it is important to consider factors such as soil, water, temperature, and light; each factor has an effect on the plant's growth and final product. Harvesting time varies depending on the pepper used. Some peppers may be picked green or unripe while others are left on the vine until they are fully ripe.

If you're going to be out late, walking alone, or in an unknown area and you want to protect yourself from an assailant or potential attacker, having pepper spray on your person is a wise move. But, how do you go about putting it together?

The first thing that you need to know when looking at the DIY spray recipe is which type of capsaicin is right for your needs. If you live in a really hot climate where it rarely gets below 100 degrees Fahrenheit then choose whole peppers with low heat levels like bell peppers. If the temperature where you live is more moderate than something like jalapeño peppers might work better for your situation.

Next, you will want to decide what type of spray you need. Most people think the only way to make a spray is with a canister of pressurized liquid like Mace or Chloroform. But, this is only sometimes true. All you need is something to stiffen it up and make it able to stand up on its own without falling over. 

This is where ready-made gelatin capsules come in handy since they already contain the right type of gelatine that gives a solid structure when it's sprayed with your prepared pepper spray ingredients. You will also need some sort of container if you are going to be making more than just one or two small doses of this spray at a time.

A 1-ounce bottle with a top that is made out of clear glass is the right kind of container to hold your finished spray, but you will need something else to dissolve the gelatin capsules and mix it up with your thickener, capsaicin, and oil. Quart-sized containers work great because they are just big enough to fit everything that you need to make your pepper spray but they aren't so big that they take up too much room in your bag or pocket.

Once you have all of your supplies together, it's time to get down to business. You can either choose a recipe for a thickened liquid or for something thicker like glue or paste. The only difference is the amount of oil that you add to the mixture. 

If you are making a thicker solution, then it will be easier to keep your pepper spray inside the container since it will have a lot more staying power but it will take up more room. Thin liquid recipes can be made with just about any kind of oil, but for the thick ones only use oils that are clear and won't leave a residue on your targets such as petroleum jelly or mineral oil.

The best way to defend yourself against a would-be attacker is with pepper spray. This spray may not be an option for everyone, but the convenience and safety it provides more than makeup for its limitations. 

Whether you use this spray as a deterrent or to actually cause harm, knowing how to use it effectively is key in ensuring you don't get hurt and can keep yourself safe. The most common myth about this spray is that it will immediately incapacitate the attacker if you spray it in the eyes. While this myth is a bit of a myth, the spray has been shown to work on the majority of attackers. It stops them long enough for you to escape and calls for help. 

If a person was able to take advantage of you after using your spray, they would have noticed that they couldn't see or breathe. The second most common myth is that this spray won't work on someone who is suffering from some sort of respiratory ailment. This seems highly unlikely. The only way to know for sure is to try out the spray.

Women deserve to feel safe in their everyday lives, but that is not always the case. Thankfully, there are a number of things that you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. One of these steps is carrying pepper spray with you at all times.

This spray is a self-defense item that comes in many forms: as an aerosol or fogger; as a gel; or as an irritant powder, designed for use in law enforcement settings such as riots, breaches, and crowd control. The effect of the spray on an individual depends on the size and strength of the person coming into contact with it (the general recommendation for exposure includes 1-2 seconds of inhalation). 

This spray can be used to temporarily blind or temporarily incapacitate an attacker, by causing intense pain and discomfort upon inhalation of the spray. The best part about carrying this spray with you is that you will always be prepared for a situation that could otherwise leave you wondering what to do. 

This amazing spray was designed specifically for self-defense and protection so that you don't have to wait until someone tries something to feel secure enough to do something about it. The spray is a commonly used item in the U.S., Canada, and elsewhere in the world as a tool of self-defense.