Understanding What Drives Reflux &
Why the Nervous System Matters

Reflux is commonly described as excess stomach acid, but for many people, that explanation is incomplete.

Reflux is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It reflects how well digestion is functioning, how the stomach and oesophagus coordinate movement, how sensitive the tissues are, and how the nervous system is regulating the digestive process.

For some people it shows up as burning or chest discomfort. For others it feels like nausea, pressure, a lump in the throat, coughing, or food coming back up. The experience can vary widely, even when the label is the same.

What Reflux Really Is

In many cases, reflux is not caused by too much acid, but by poorly regulated digestion.

Common underlying contributors include:

  • low stomach acid leading to delayed stomach emptying

  • weak or poorly timed opening and closing of the lower oesophageal sphincter

  • slow gut motility

  • gas pressure from fermentation or constipation

  • bacterial overgrowth or dysbiosis

  • impaired enzyme or bile flow

  • diaphragm tension affecting the stomach’s position and function

  • increased sensitivity of the oesophagus

  • hormonal influences

  • chronic nervous system activation

This is why simply suppressing acid does not always resolve symptoms long term.

The Gut–Brain Axis

Swallowing, stomach emptying and sphincter control are all regulated by the nervous system.

When the body is in fight, flight, freeze or shutdown, digestion becomes less coordinated. Stomach emptying can slow, pressure can build, and the valve between the stomach and oesophagus may function less effectively.

Many people notice reflux worsens during:

  • stress or emotional strain

  • rushed or distracted eating

  • conflict or pressure

  • poor sleep

  • long-standing tension in the chest, diaphragm or upper abdomen

For some, reflux is one of the body’s clearest signals that the digestive system is operating under stress.

Why Common Reflux Advice Falls Short

Avoiding spicy food, tomatoes, coffee or chocolate can reduce irritation, and acid-suppressing medication can be useful short term.

However, these approaches often do not address:

  • why digestion is slow or poorly coordinated

  • why pressure is building in the stomach

  • why the nervous system is signalling threat

  • or why symptoms return when medication is stopped

Without addressing these drivers, reflux often becomes chronic or cyclical.

What Actually Helps Long Term

Sustainable improvement comes from restoring normal digestive function and regulation.

This often involves:

Supporting stomach digestion
Improving acid levels, enzyme activity and timely stomach emptying.

Reducing pressure in the system
Addressing constipation, gas production and bloating.

Balancing the microbiome
Treating overgrowth and supporting beneficial bacteria.

Releasing diaphragm and upper-body tension
So the stomach and oesophagus can function more naturally.

Regulating the nervous system
Reducing chronic stress signalling and restoring digestive coordination.

Rebuilding food confidence
So eating becomes calmer and more predictable, not something to fear.

When these layers are addressed together, reflux often becomes less frequent, less intense and far more manageable.

TLDR

What drives reflux
Reflux is usually a sign of disrupted digestion, gut movement, pressure in the system, microbial imbalance and nervous system regulation. It is rarely just about excess acid.

The role of the nervous system
Stress states can disrupt stomach emptying and sphincter control, making reflux more likely. Supporting nervous system regulation is often part of lasting improvement.

In short
Reflux is typically a digestive–microbiome–nervous system pattern, not simply an acid problem. When these systems are supported together, symptoms often settle.

This is the Mind–Body–Biome approach.