EP 180: Is Your Acid Reflux a Nervous System Problem? | Molly PelletierEP 180: Is Your Acid Reflux a Nervous System Problem? | Molly Pelletier
The Biology of Trauma™ With Dr. Aimie
Dr. Aimie Apigian and dietitian Molly Pelletier link persistent acid reflux to stress, trauma and a dysregulated nervous system. They share simple somatic tools, food strategies and mindset shifts that may help calm both the gut and the nervous system.
35:33•30 Jun 2026
Is Your Acid Reflux Really a Nervous System Issue?
Episode Overview
- Reflux can be strongly linked to a dysregulated nervous system, with stress and trauma keeping the body on high alert and digestion on the back burner.
- Lost or blunted hunger and fullness cues, along with long gaps between meals followed by large portions, are major reflux triggers.
- Short bouts of diaphragmatic breathing after meals can support both the nervous system and the lower oesophageal sphincter, reducing reflux episodes.
- During a healing phase, pausing common triggers like chocolate, alcohol, citrus, tomato products, very fatty or spicy foods and certain caffeinated drinks can help inflamed tissue recover.
- Small, realistic changes repeated consistently – in food choices, meal timing and somatic practices – are more effective than chasing perfection with diet or routines.
“Small hinges swing big doors. So if you're feeling overwhelmed… small steps done consistently is what gets people those results.”
What can we learn from those who have battled stubborn physical symptoms that just won’t shift? This conversation between Dr. Aimie Apigian and dietitian Molly Pelletier looks at acid reflux through a completely different lens: the nervous system. Instead of talking only about stomach acid and medication, Molly explains how stress, trauma and a constantly “on guard” nervous system can keep reflux going.
She shares that many of her clients say their reflux started or worsened during intense stress, and she breaks down how the vagus nerve and the lower oesophageal sphincter are tightly linked to our stress response. You’ll hear practical examples of how lost hunger and fullness cues can fuel reflux.
Molly describes the all‑too‑familiar pattern of “I don’t feel hungry until I’m starving, then I overeat and pay for it later”, and connects this to both nervous system dysregulation and early-life patterns. She and Dr. Aimie talk about people‑pleasing, perfectionism and the belief that there’s “no time” to eat, breathe or even go to the loo – and how those beliefs can quietly harm digestion.
On the food front, Molly outlines the common triggers when reflux is active – things like chocolate, alcohol, very fatty or spicy meals, citrus and tomato sauces – and explains why pausing them for a healing phase can let inflamed tissue calm down before slowly testing what your body can handle again. Somatic tools get equal airtime.
Molly shares her "LES-lock" approach: short bouts of diaphragmatic breathing after meals to both soothe the nervous system and mechanically support the anti‑reflux barrier. She also suggests “nervous system snacks” – tiny, regular moments of grounding throughout the day instead of running at full tilt until everything flares. Anyone living with reflux, chronic stress or trauma-related symptoms will find this episode especially relevant. It might have you asking: is your gut trying to tell you more than you think?
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