When we get angry, even for a minute, it shows up as redness of the face, increased heart and breath rate, as well as increased secretion of gastric juices.
How do thoughts in the mind gain the power to change the body chemistry?
What links body and mind?
This is explained beautifully in an analysis called ‘Pancha kosha Viveka’ in Taittiriya Upanishad.
Panchakosha Model
There are five aspects of the personality or sheaths/layers of existence, from subtle to gross.
1. Anandamaya kosha, bliss
2. Vidnyanamaya kosha, intellect
3. Manomaya kosha, mind and its modifications
4. Pranayamaya kosha, life energy
5. Annamaya kosha, the physical body
To explain in brief, the imbalances at the Manomaya level, if continued for long, percolate to the Pranamaya level and then manifest as an imbalance at the physical level.
Physiological Changes
Due to stressful thoughts, as part of the stress response, the brain, specifically the limbic cortex, sends signals to the hypothalamus that in turn sends impulses to the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and parasympathetic nervous system (PNS).
When the PNS is overstimulated, it increases gastrin, which in turn secretes more acid.
When the SNS is overstimulated, it constricts the blood vessels, the lining of the stomach loses its function, repair of the stomach lining slows down. The protection is removed, making the stomach vulnerable to ulcers.
Stress and Food
Under stress, we make the wrong food choices.
Stress triggers adrenaline and cortisol secretion which promotes body fat and affects digestion.
Stress eating promotes the hunger hormone.
Stress also makes it difficult to resist junk food.
And all these lead to choosing the wrong foods that can trigger or worsen acidity issues.
By learning to cope up with stress, episodes of acidity can be reduced.