Everyone’s heard of pepper spray. Painful and somewhat lasting, it’s the least controversial of methods of self-defense (other than an old-fashioned fist fight), and even encouraged for women to carry.

The main ingredient in Pepper Spray is capsaicin, which is a chemical derived from the fruit of a chili pepper plant family. It is combined with other additives and pressurized for ease of use. There are some differences, however, in the various types available for personal use.

There are basic pepper sprays which have the same simple effect as all pepper sprays: it causes inflammation of the eyes, difficulty breathing, runny nose, and coughing. You can buy various strengths which will determine how long the effects last, but generally the target will experience the full effect for thirty to forty-five minutes. There are no lasting effects documented after a short, direct exposure to pepper spray, but repeated sprays can affect corneal sensitivity.

Other formulas for pepper spray also contain tear gas, which have additional effects such as dizziness and a tight feeling in the chest. Tear gas allows for more range in where on the target you can spray, so you don’t need to worry about getting it exactly in the target’s eyes.

Additionally, some pepper sprays contain UV Dye. This marks the target for about a week, acting as a sort of scarlet letter and assisting in the capture of an attacker.

The range on most pepper sprays is between 8 to 12 feet. Some come with a safety cap to help prevent accidental discharge. They come in sizes ranging from 3/4 oz. to fit on your keychain to a one-pound bottle. (Heaven help the attacker who ever encounters someone with THAT size canister.)

Even though pepper spray is considerably less intrusive and controversial than stun devices and other weapons, some states still require background checks and/or have restrictions on its use. Some allow only straight pepper spray and prohibit combination sprays. Others only allow its use in self-defense, which makes sense.

Some countries don’t yet allow it either, such as Canada. Other countries like Denmark and the United Kingdom allow it for police use but prohibit it for private citizens. It usually has to do with what type of weapon the country classifies it as. It’s interesting how some countries consider pepper spray to be as dangerous as firearms and treat it as such, while other countries approve use by anyone over the age of 18. However, different countries also have different formulas, so it’s possible that certain ingredients are the key in determining its status. Regardless, if you’re looking into purchasing pepper spray, make sure it’s legal in your country by asking a local and licensed firearm dealer.

How much can you expect to pay for pepper spray? Keychain-sized containers sell for around $10, and even a full one-pound canister is only $30. So if you’re looking for something non-lethal but effective, portable, and inexpensive, pepper spray is a great way to go.