08/06/2026
The book “Why Zebras Don’t get Ulcers” from Robert Sapolskys book is shorthand for a deeper point.
Zebras experience stress in short, acute bursts (like escaping a predator). Once the threat is gone, their stress response switches off completely. They return to baseline quickly.
Humans, on the other had can activate the same biological stress response through thoughts, anticipation, memory, and chronic life pressures— and we often keep it running long after the threat is over.
This prolonged activation is what contributes to stress-related health issues like ulcers (and more broadly, inflammation, anxiety, blood sugar imbalances, hormonal disruption etc.).
So basically the title implies zebras don’t get ulcers because their stress switches off. Ours often doesn’t.
This is what I support my clients with— helping the body come out of survival mode and back into safety through naturopathic care, nutrition, herbs, lifestyle and body therapies ⚡️🤎🧠
