Stomach Ulcers

Whether the origins are genetic, lifestyle or bacterial, the vast majority of stomach ulcers develop because of stress. 

When we eat, hydrochloric acid starts pouring out of the cells of our stomach lining in an effort to dissolve all the food we’ve just feasted on. This is strong stuff, and the stomach itself would be dissolved in a flash unless we had layer upon layer of stomach walls covered in a thick, soothing mucus to buffer the acid. 

But, when a stressful event comes our way, our resources are diverted, and we the amount of acid released is reduced. If this continues, our body starts to adapt to our downgraded acid status and our stomach lining becomes less thick. 

The trouble is, that when the stressful phase passes and we we come out the other side, our digestion starts firing up again at full capacity. The acid is free flowing (man!) but our stomach lining is no longer up to the job of protecting us from it.   

Our stomach lining takes a big hit before it can fill the breach with neutralising alkali solution and mucus. 

If we go through another long stress cycle, and then another, sooner or later the caustic tides are going to eat through our stomach. And what remains is a nasty little hole through which that acid can escape and wreak its pain-inducing havoc.

In addition, when we experience stress, blood flow to our gut decreases which results in an increased number of free radicals scavenging their way around the stomach tissues.

Normally our blood is able to snuff out these biological bad boys before they get out of hand. But due to the diversion of our blood flow our defence capabilities become compromised, and the free radicals are free to attack our stomach cells. 

The decreased blood flow also results in small clusters of dead tissue which act as catalysts for ulceration.

Ongoing stress also results in the suppression of the immune system so that the bacterial agents of ulceration find it much easier to multiply.

Lastly, the production of prostaglandins, which catalyse the healing process when wear and tear occurs, is inhibited by the release of stress hormones. This severely compromises our ability to do running repairs.

Beeja meditation helps reduce the frequency and the intensity of our stress response. This means our stomach can stay protected, our blood flow is more constant, our immune system is strong, and our prostaglandins can remain free of assault from our stress chemistry.

Studies have consistently shown that meditators have fewer stress hormones floating around their systems and far fewer free radicals wreaking havoc.

The result is a greatly reduced probability of ulceration and one of the most effective remedies for stomach ulcers.

If we already have ulcers, the healing process kicks in at a much greater rate. The pain reducing qualities of the abundant endorphin release that takes place in meditation ensures that we suffer less as we make our way towards an ulcer-free state.