Deep Throat Sprays & Gag Reflex Sprays: What Actually Works
If you've ever searched for a way to reduce your gag reflex during oral sex, you've probably come across throat sprays. They're everywhere — drugstores, Amazon, that one sketchy gas station display. But do they actually work?
The short answer: Yes — gag reflex sprays can be a great way to improve intimacy and have more fun in the bedroom. Most use numbing agents that work quickly and do reduce the gag reflex. That said, they come with real trade-offs: short duration, taste, transfer to your partner, and the "numb mouth" sensation are common complaints. Newer alternatives are emerging, but you need to know what to look for.
Let's break it down.
What Are Gag Reflex Sprays?
Gag reflex sprays (also called deep throat sprays or throat numbing sprays) are products designed to reduce or suppress the gag reflex — that involuntary contraction in the back of your throat when something touches your soft palate or tongue base.
Most fall into one of two categories:
- Numbing sprays — The vast majority of what's on the market. They use topical anesthetics like benzocaine or lidocaine to temporarily deaden sensation in the throat.
- Non-numbing alternatives — A smaller category of newer products that work through different mechanisms (more on these later).
The gag reflex itself is controlled by the glossopharyngeal and vagus nerves (cranial nerves IX and X). It's one of the ways your body protects itself from choking — when triggered, these nerves tell the muscles in your throat to contract and push the object out. Useful when you're actually choking; less useful during oral sex.
Numbing sprays try to block the sensory input so the reflex never fires. Other approaches interrupt the reflex through different pathways.
How Numbing Sprays Work
Benzocaine and lidocaine are topical anesthetics — the same stuff in sunburn sprays and sore throat lozenges. When applied to tissue, they block sodium channels in nerve cells, preventing the nerve from sending sensation signals to the brain.
Spray it on the back of your throat, and theoretically, you won't feel the touch that triggers your gag reflex.
Why this approach dominates the market:
- Familiar ingredients — Benzocaine has been around forever. It's cheap and easy to formulate.
- Fast-acting — You feel the numbing effect within seconds.
- Easy to market — "Numbs your throat" is a simple, intuitive claim.
For a lot of people, numbing sprays do something. The problem is what else they do — and how quickly they stop working.
The Problems With Numbing Sprays
Numbing sprays can be great, but if they were perfect, you wouldn't be reading this. Here's our research and personal experience:
Duration Is the #1 Complaint
According to real-world reviews (and our own testing...), most numbing sprays wear off in 2-5 minutes.
Short duration means reapplying mid-act, which interrupts intimacy and kills the mood.
The Taste Is Medicinal
Benzocaine is very bitter, so manufacturers have to mask it with strong artificial flavoring — watermelon, cherry, mint, with aggressive sweeteners — but the result often tastes like flavored cough syrup. They're not terrible, but there's a LOT of room for improvement here.
Numbing Transfers to Your Partner
If your throat is numb, and your partner's skin touches your throat... now they're a little numb too. If you don't want your partner experiencing any effects, this is worth considering.
Application Is Tricky
Sprays are hard to aim. The gag reflex is triggered at the back of the throat and soft palate, but most people end up spraying their tongue and inner cheeks instead. The result? A numb mouth and a gag reflex that's still very much intact.
It Doesn't Address the Reflex Itself
Numbing sprays don't stop the gag reflex — they just temporarily block the sensation that triggers it.
The reflex mechanism is still there, fully functional. You're not training anything or changing anything. You're just hoping you can't feel it long enough to get through.
Safety Concerns With Benzocaine
Benzocaine can cause a rare but potentially life-threatening condition called methemoglobinemia, where the blood's ability to carry oxygen is reduced. The FDA has issued warnings about benzocaine products.
For most people, occasional use is fine. But it's worth knowing that "numbing agent" doesn't mean "completely harmless."
Some users also report that benzocaine stings or burns on application — not ideal for something you're putting in your throat before sex.
What to Look For in a Gag Reflex Product
If you're shopping for something to help with your gag reflex, here's what actually matters:
Duration
Look for real-world reports, not just marketing claims. Anything under 15 minutes will likely require reapplication. Look for products that last 30+ minutes if you want uninterrupted use.
Ingredients and Mechanism
Does it numb, or does it work differently? Numbing isn't inherently bad, but it comes with the trade-offs above. Some newer products work on the reflex pathway rather than just blocking sensation.
If you see benzocaine or lidocaine on the label, you're getting a numbing spray.
Taste
If something tastes terrible, you're not going to want to use it. Look for products with neutral or natural flavoring that doesn't scream "medicine."
Ease of Application
Sprays can be messy and imprecise. Other formats — powders, dissolving strips, lozenges — may be easier to apply to the right area.
Transfer
If you don't want your partner experiencing any effects, look for non-numbing options, which generally don't have this issue.
Ingredient Quality
Artificial colors, artificial flavors, chemical preservatives — none of these are necessary. If you care about what goes in your body, look for cleaner ingredient lists.
Alternatives to Sprays
Sprays aren't the only option. Depending on your situation, these approaches might work better — or alongside a product:
Breathing Techniques
Slow, controlled breathing through your nose can help suppress the gag reflex. It's not magic, but it helps some people manage the sensation. The key is staying relaxed — tensing up makes the reflex stronger.
Gradual Desensitization
You can train your gag reflex over time by gradually exposing yourself to the trigger. Start with something small (like a toothbrush at the back of the tongue), and slowly work deeper over weeks or months. This works, but most people don't stick with it long enough.
Non-Numbing Products
A newer category of products has emerged that don't rely on numbing agents. These use different mechanisms — some work on nerve signals, some use sensory approaches to interrupt the reflex.
The advantage: no numbing, no transfer, potentially longer duration. The disadvantage: fewer options on the market and less long-term research.
Positioning and Technique
Sometimes the gag reflex is more about angle than sensitivity. Changing position — tilting the head, adjusting approach — can reduce how much the soft palate gets triggered.
The "69" position tends to work well since the natural curve of the penis fits the natural curve of the mouth and throat better. This takes some practice and communication, but it's free and has no side effects.
Key Takeaways
- Most gag reflex sprays use numbing agents (benzocaine or lidocaine) that work fast but wear off quickly — often in 2-5 minutes.
- Common complaints include short duration, medicinal taste, numbing that transfers to partners, and difficulty applying to the right area.
- When shopping for a product, prioritize: duration, mechanism (numbing vs. non-numbing), taste, ease of application, and ingredient quality.
- Alternatives to sprays include breathing techniques, desensitization training, non-numbing products, and positioning adjustments.
- There's no perfect solution — but understanding the trade-offs helps you find what actually works for your body and situation.
What now?
Reach out if you have any questions or want more info on this topic or on the stuff we make. Otherwise, best of luck in your search and have fun!
This is general information, not medical advice. If you have persistent gag reflex issues affecting your daily life (eating, dental care, medical procedures), talk to a healthcare provider.