Spicy Little Brain is a webcomic that showcases the absurdity of being human, and how delightfully ridiculous we all really are.

It was created by me, Sia Spark (she/her), an Australian artist. Spicy Little Brain is inspired by my experiences of mental health struggles, chronic illness/disability, and neurodivergence.

By capturing the strangeness of life, I hope to make people laugh and smile and lighten the mental load of themes and topics that can otherwise feel heavy and isolating.

It's awesome that so many people connect with my comics! I have lots of silly little thoughts and when I receive messages from people around the world who've had the same thought, it's really validating and honestly, quite fun.

Humor is definitely a coping mechanism for me (my therapist says it's okay!) and I quite enjoy poking fun at myself, my brain, and the issues that I've faced. It doesn't make them any less serious or important, but I feel like by bringing a little humor to it, it takes away their power over you, and that's pretty cool.

More info: Instagram | redbubble.com

#1

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Kevin the Manager
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

LOL @ "6 meals a day" AND "Unlimited snacks." We did this at an all-inclusive resort once, and while it was incredibly wonderful at first, it was also alarming how quickly it became painful.

Marie Dahme
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soooo..you want to be a cat 🐈‍⬛ ? Me too buddy. Me too.

Bad Ass69
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was going to say they want to be My dog 🐕 if they had added long walks and belly scratches to the list!

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Bad Ass69
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And these same people wonder why obesity is a problem.

Ashley Deane
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's literally ALL I ask.. what's the problem here?

Knight522
Community Member
2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I did that on a 2 weeks cruise and it was like a prison!

I’m a self-taught multidisciplinary artist from Australia. I’ve done lots more “serious” illustrations, but silly comics are by far the most fun for me.

A “spicy” brain refers to a neurodivergent brain. I’m Autistic, and I always refer to some of my patterns of thinking and communicating as “spicy”, so the inception of Spicy Little Brain was largely based on my thoughts and experiences as a neurodivergent person.

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    #3

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Worry is for anywhere from losers to responsible people! That covers everyone.

    Crazy Cookie
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have not yet mastered this secret third way. Can someone please tell me how to worry a third way

    Kevin the Manager
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You just confirmed that my suspicion of a third worry's existence is actually a fact. Thanks.

    Spicy Little Brain was started initially to distract me from pain. I’m chronically ill, and part of that includes some pretty nasty ongoing pain. During a particularly bad flare-up, I just felt like creating something and allowing it just to be weird and silly, and not agonizing over the process.

    At the time, I was also doing more “serious” illustration work, where I would spend up to 50-100 hours working on highly detailed pieces, and I was getting really frustrated with having to be super focused. So I wanted to distract myself from pain, but also get myself out of my head.

    #4

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    Kevin the Manager
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Good point! All I have to do to get rid of the fire in my lungs and the taste of copper in my saliva is to stop running and cool off. Depression, not so simple.

    Amy Beckler
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hee hee😁could find this helpful (in a counterirritant way).

    I was also making another comic at the time… it was very focused on positive, wholesome messages, and whilst that was fun, it felt inauthentic to me, and I wasn’t enjoying making it, because it just didn’t feel true to who I am. Whilst I’d like to say that I’m a positive person all the time, truthfully, I’m pretty cynical, analytical, and I get a little bit of joy out of poking fun at things that are a bit serious. Spicy Little Brain was a bit of a rebellion against all those things - pain, depression, anxiety, inauthenticity, and the weirdness of being human.I get a lot of messages from people going through serious, heavy things, or experiencing mental health struggles, or feeling isolated and strange about being neurodivergent… and they let me know that my comics have helped them find joy in humor in that. I think that’s so cool, and it really makes my day when I receive messages like that. If I can be part of helping someone have a better day by making them laugh or smile, and especially if I can help them feel less alone with humor, that truly makes my heart sing!

    They’re just silly little comics, really… but they’ve shown me the capacity of honesty and humor to bring people together.

    #6

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    Michelle C
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes the self-diagnoses turn out to be correct.

    Adalmina
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    TikTok really ruined the reputation of self diagnosing

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    #7

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You can be considerate but don't necessarily prevent others from being upset!

    Michelle C
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a feeling more of us struggle with this than we care to admit do.

    Abigail Hanson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My brain exploded into pieces, I'm both but it's so true

    #8

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    I know that humor certainly helps me take away the power of the things in my own life that feel heavy and difficult, so I’m really glad that I can help others do the same in any small way.

    If people take anything away from my comics, I hope they leave them feeling less alone, less weird, and less alien. We’re all a bunch of ridiculous beings at heart, and life can get super serious… so

    I hope my comics help people laugh, smile and embrace the weirdness.

    #10

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Woke up on the wrong side of the planet. Not just his bed!

    Amy Beckler
    Community Member
    Premium
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Passive-aggressive is best-less energy required.

    Jody Whitmarsh
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This was me at work this morning. I was the grumpiest of b/×ches!

    #11

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    Rwby Couch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or if you HAVE to, text, don't call

    Sans Serif
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    People still do that? Calling is still a thing? 8-)

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not a sound theory? But don't just call me only when you need something or it's some kind of emergency! That gets old.

    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Does anyone else not want to talk on the phone because you don't want other people to overhead your conversation, even if it's only your end? I don't answer numbers I don't recognize because it's usually a scammer or a bill collector or someone trying to sell me something, and if I do know the number, it's either someone who's going to talk for WAY longer than I want, or I'm in a place where I don't want other people to eavesdrop on my conversation.

    #12

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    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My chronic pain does that. Too much housework and I'm in bed for days.

    Kawazoe
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Life is chronic pain (but on a more serious note, I'm sorry you are struggling 😔)

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    A reasonable request. Especially for those 60 years or over!

    #13

    My Relatable One-Panel Comics Highlight The Absurdity Of Being A Human (50 Pics)

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    Rwby Couch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Mine's a Barnes and Noble bookstore. Or Panera Bread.

    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I think mine is a battered old War wagon! And Your welcome for my service! Go Navy.

    #14

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    New Everywhere
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    How, how, how (!!) do you tell someone they talk too much? Asking for a friend who is me

    Patsy Lowe
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I catch myself thinking "Sweet Jesus. Don't I ever shut up?"

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    #15

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've got a decal right on the glass of my front door that says "All guests must be approved by the cats" XD

    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Had a cat that would pee all over the bed my ex slept in. The cat was right. About two days after getting a separate apartment away from him, I came home to discover that my cats were gone. He'd taken them to the ASPCA as if he "found" them, and I couldn't get them back. That was about 23 years ago, and I will never not be angry that he took Greebo and Windy away from me. I'd had them for quite a while before I ever met him. Nate, you're a tool and I'm so glad I got away from you.

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He had inside information from the Goldfish!

    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Get it? Cat eats Goldfish! Inside information! That went dark pretty quick huh?

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    Jody Whitmarsh
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would like one that says, "if my dog doesn't like you. I don't either"

    #16

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm in all of these pictures, but I'm in this one in particular and I don't like it XD

    Rwby Couch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Yeah... I forget every human experience has already been experienced by someone before.

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    Kerri
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me and my ADHD be like

    #18

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    Kevin the Manager
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know bad dad jokes...lots of them.

    Sans Serif
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Welcome Friend! My three kids hate me! 8-)

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    Dubnaught
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Not as ridiculous as it sounds. People confuse knowledge with intelligence all the time. I'd rather be good at problem solving, critical thinking, and creating than possess a ton of random facts, some of which I may not even understand (because I chose knowledge over intellect).

    morebirdsandroses
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Truth. Although if I think about it, I know a couple of things.

    #19

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I accidentally relaxed to much and farted! What a relief.

    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Awww, anxiety went bedy bye and all that's left is the crippling depression

    #21

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    Kate Johnson
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Jeezly-crow, just smile more and be happy! Duh! /s

    Victoria Comeau
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I worked at a place where the unofficial employee morale slogan was "get happy or get out"

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Ah! The old bean bag chair. I used to love to sit in mine with a bag of Cheetos listening to music or watching M.A.S.H. on the tube as a young child! They are relaxing.

    #22

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    AnnaJ718
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    what if I don't want to tomorrow either?

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sometimes Honey do? Sometimes Honey don't!.And ain't ever going too!

    #23

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    OnigiRin Chan OwO
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Me when I found out being overly accommodating to others is NOT my personality and how I show love but is instead the trauma response of all the years of being abandoned emotionally by everyone around me during my childhood 💀

    #24

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I don't get this one? Maybe I should look up Whinge. It don't seem like a real word? ???

    Warpendragn
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's slang for whining. Similar to rant and vent

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    #25

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    K-Hey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I also might cry if you are nice to me

    Ashley Deane
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is this so on the nose? I know I'm "sensitive" but just be nice 🙂

    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I'm more likely to cry of you are nice to me, because life certainly isn't being so right now

    #26

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    K-Hey
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Like laundry and dishes. Didn't I do them yesterday??!

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But they JUST keep on coming!

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    #27

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    Azolane
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Suck when your chronic condition is something you can't even drown in alcohol because it will send you straight to the ER.

    Annapam
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's the start of many opioid addictions..they won't send you to the ER, at first

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    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wine made from crushed gripes? The pain does not last forever! You die eventually. 😁

    #28

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    Rwby Couch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    All I need to do is eat, sleep, and more eat and sleep, then I'm good.

    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Keep on the Sunny side! Always on the Sunny side!

    john Whitehouse
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You might want to go get that leg checked. Last time my leg looked like that I had an infection from a spider bite almost killed me

    #29

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    Michelle C
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    🤣 Yeeeeah…. Getting less than six hours of sleep, is no good for me at all. Ideally, I would get at least seven, but that didn’t happen last night, either….

    Bad Ass69
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sounds like me during my younger partying days!

    Rwby Couch
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wish you could tell people to,"Go to sleep!" And they would actually fall asleep. I know a lot of people who have trouble sleeping at night, so it would guarantee them a restful night.

    #31

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    Lakota Wolf
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Pandas, how is this possible: I don't have any anxiety to talk to people in person, I'm downright gregarious IRL. But I CANNOT make phone calls; they fill me with incredible anxiety. HOW? XD

    Moosy Girl
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Because you can’t use visual clues to form responses with phonecalls, you can’t see people’s faces and hands or feel their general vibe?

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    #32

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    #33

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    #34

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    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oooo, either ADHD or Autism... Or migraines.... Or how about a neurodivergent salad of all of the above

    #35

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    Annapam
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh that's me :S again and again

    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Are you automatic or have ADHD? Because this is very much serving sensory overload that occurs with either/both

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    #37

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    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have started to notice how much I resemble the "angry girlfriend before food" memes, and I am not sure how I feel about it

    #40

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    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why is it that the tinier something that comes in a regular size is, the more we love it? Especially tiny spoons

    Annapam
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I saw a video about how neurodivergent peers always use teaspoons for eating (soup excluded) and I want to ask you guys here...is it true? For me it definitely is :D

    #41

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    #42

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    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh, ouch... Yeah, therapists have to be really careful about cancelling therapy appointments. People are often just holding on by a thread, waiting to be able to discuss and process things that have come up on between. That's why I really loved when I used an online therapy service, because it came with a journal that went directly to my therapist, who would answer very quickly and give me follow up questions to think about to help me unpack things until the next session. (I used Better Help and it was great, except for the not taking insurance thing)

    #43

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    #47

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    #49

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    Heather Vandegrift
    Community Member
    2 years ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Or placed respectably in my weight class...

    #50

    Relatable Comics Highlight The Absurdity Of Being Human

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