Depends on what you mean by "taste". Technically, spicy foods wouldn't taste any different if the spice chemical capsaicin were removed from it. And yet many people prefer spicy foods.

I disagree that it does not enhance the flavours, it is quite a significant factor IMHO.

Regarding it tasting like poison, I can't really comment on that other than to say I would think many people have a similar initial reaction to coffee or chilli for example. They bombard the senses and until you attune yourself in to them can be quite overwhelming.