Does stress cause acid reflux?

According to Healthline, stress does seem to be a trigger for acid reflux. However, studies show that people most likely become more sensitive to acid in the esophagus due to stress; in other words, the body is not actually producing more acid.

One side effect of stress, exhaustion, is especially connected to an increase in acid reflux. Other triggers include smoking, carrying excess body weight and sleeping too soon after a large meal. Eating foods that are high in acid, fat or spice contributes to acid reflux. It is also aggravated by taking drugs that irritate the stomach, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, according to WebMD. Some women have acid reflux for the first time when they are pregnant.