# Linda Lovelace and Reflexes
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 11, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296 "2011-08-11T03:34:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 3:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/1 "2011-08-11T03:34:55Z")
I am going to keep this as tasteful (no pun intended) as possible. I was reading about Linda Lovelace’s career and later repudiation of porn, and for what I hope are obvious reasons, it led me to think about the gag reflex. I’ve always heard (and my own experience indicates it’s true :o) that the gag reflex becomes less intense with…um…repeated acts of fellatio. But how can a reflex be overcome by repeatedly triggering it? If you hit my knee with a little rubber hammer every day, would my leg quit jerking when the knee is tapped? Or is it just that with experience, women (or men) tend to relax more, so while the gag reflex is as strong as ever, it seems less so because the throat muscles are more relaxed? If the latter is the case, then it must be that some people are just born with a less intense gag reflex, in effect a Deep Throat, right? But why would THAT be the case? Aren’t reflexes fairly consistent across a population? If my leg doesn’t jerk much when hit with the little hammer, wouldn’t that make a doctor suspect a neurological problem???
I don’t need answer fast, so feel free to take some time to research…strictly in the name of science, of course. 🙂
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### Author:  [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/2 "2011-08-11T04:11:35Z")
Interesting question. I am not sure the gag reflex is like the knee jerk - that is purely involuntary. Gagging is more like the cough reflex in that one has the ability to consciously override it, at least temporarily, up to a point. And I suppose that with practice one gets better at ignoring the gag imperative.
Something I heard long ago is that practitioners of deep throat use some special lubricant (Crisco?) that coated the throat and made it easier to slide things around in there. I have no idea if it’s true and no personal experience.
When I was a respiratory therapist one of our morbid observations was that, in general, women tolerated endotracheal intubation better than men, because they were more accustomed to having big things shoved down… well you get the idea. Pure anecdote - no science behind it.
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### Author:  [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 5:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/3 "2011-08-11T05:53:59Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#):
>
> Something I heard long ago is that practitioners of deep throat use some special lubricant (Crisco?) that coated the throat and made it easier to slide things around in there.
That was Little Oral Annie’s trick, who entered porn after Lovelace. I don’t know if others do it, but I doubt it. There was always a special _shiny_ quality to Annie’s scenes.
I have no personal experience, but I would assume that it can be over-ridden with experience not by repeatedly triggering the reflex, but by increasing comfort with the act. We all eat food and rarely gag on it, so the “reflex” is not triggered every time food goes down our throats. Diabetics who have to prick their skin with needles repeatedly lose the flinch “reaction” that those who rarely have to receive shots might have.
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### Author:  [@Critical1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Critical1)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/4 "2011-08-11T08:06:35Z")
the gag reflex is largely in your head. think about how many people you know who have gagged just looking at something or hearing something with nothing at all in their mouth at the time.
if you think you will gag you will,
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### Author:  [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/5 "2011-08-11T11:23:04Z")
I remember reading, as a kid, a book called, IIRC, “Step Right Up” which supposedly detailed the experiences of a young man who joined a carnival side show and learned several of the acts that were a part of that side show. Among the acts the guy allegedly learned was the art of sword swallowing. He went into quite a lot of detail about learning to overcome his gag reflex; he described the process as lengthy and not at all pleasant but he did manage to overcome his gag reflex and actually worked as a sword swallower.
He also went into a lot of detail about learning to be a fire eater; I severely burned the inside of my mouth while attempting to learn from his experiences. Fortunately I was never tempted to try sword swallowing although I was convinced it was possible.
I did learn to sew buttons to the insides of my wrists and to button my shirt sleeves to them, which was another of the tricks that author of that book described in some detail. I was pretty insane as a kid.
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### Author:  [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/6 "2011-08-11T14:22:14Z")
> [@LouisB](#):
>
> I did learn to sew buttons to the insides of my wrists and to button my shirt sleeves to them, which was another of the tricks that author of that book described in some detail.
What is the nature of the trick here- that you could raise your arms and your sleeves wouldn’t slide down? 😕
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### Author:  [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/7 "2011-08-11T14:59:40Z")
The knee reflex is one that isn’t a result of your brain telling your muscles to contract, but the nerves in your spine send the trigger from the knee tap, directly to the leg muscles, without having to go through your brain first. I learned this when I broke my neck 20 years ago, and was surprised that my reflexes were _more_ pronounced than usual, which is typical for a spine injury.
Is the gag reflex the same, or is it a result of brain processing?
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### Author:  [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/8 "2011-08-11T15:57:38Z")
> [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](#):
>
> Aren’t reflexes fairly consistent across a population?
If this were true, then how do you explain race car drivers?
Most people can learn to do most anything if they’re willing to put in the time and effort. Look at how many women can learn to do the splits, which aren’t natural either. Even some men can do them, and that’s harder. Same with toe dancing.
For that matter, you could learn to keep your hand on a hot stove, even though there is a consistent reflex among all populations to pull the hand away instantly. Most of the things we call reflexes are under some degree of voluntary control. Deepthroating and swordswallowing are among them. No big mystery.
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### Author:  [@LouisB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LouisB)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 4:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/9 "2011-08-11T16:04:58Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#):
>
> What is the nature of the trick here- that you could raise your arms and your sleeves wouldn’t slide down? 😕
The trick was the fact that one could, if one tried hard enough, learn to ignore the pain one might expect to result from sewing buttons onto one’s wrists.
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### Author:  [@okiedokie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/okiedokie)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/10 "2011-08-11T16:14:26Z")
Interestingly enough, I have mastered controlling the gag reflex while performing fellatio; however, gag like crazy when I brush my teeth (specifically, my tongue)! Every time!
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### Author:  [@dracoi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dracoi)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 4:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/11 "2011-08-11T16:26:01Z")
I can only offer some speculation by comparison to another reflex: blinking.
I’ve had so many things poked into my eyes over the years - including scalpels and tweezers to remove stitches from my cornea - that I have virtually no reflex to blink anymore. If I’m truly surprised, then I do blink automatically, such as when a bug flies into my eye or something like that. As long as I’m thinking about it, though, the only real need to blink comes as my eyes start drying out.
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### Author:  [@jonesj2205](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jonesj2205)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/12 "2011-08-11T16:28:44Z")
> [@okiedokie](#):
>
> Interestingly enough, I have mastered controlling the gag reflex while performing fellatio; however, gag like crazy when I brush my teeth (specifically, my tongue)! Every time!
I applaud your priorities.
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### Author:  [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/13 "2011-08-11T17:26:16Z")
[quote=“LouisB, post:5, topic:592296”]
I remember reading, as a kid, a book called, IIRC, “Step Right Up” which supposedly detailed the experiences of a young man who joined a carnival side show and learned several of the acts that were a part of that side show. Among the acts the guy allegedly learned was the art of sword swallowing. He went into quite a lot of detail about learning to overcome his gag reflex; he described the process as lengthy and not at all pleasant but he did manage to overcome his gag reflex and actually worked as a sword swallower.
One way they learned was to tie a button to a string, swallow it, and pull it back up. Over and over! :eek:
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### Author:  [@zeldarae](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zeldarae)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/14 "2011-08-11T17:38:20Z")
> [@okiedokie](#):
>
> Interestingly enough, I have mastered controlling the gag reflex while performing fellatio; however, gag like crazy when I brush my teeth (specifically, my tongue)! Every time!
Never really thought I would share this, but I, too, gag when I brush my tongue yet have completely overcome the fellatio gag reflex.
I’ve theorized that I’m relaxed because it is with my hubby with whom I have no inhibitions. But then again, the tootbrush doesn’t have a history of judging me either.
Maybe it’s just the enjoyment factor. 😉
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### Author:  [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Romeo_and_Whatsherface)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/15 "2011-08-11T17:53:22Z")
> [@dracoi](#):
>
> I can only offer some speculation by comparison to another reflex: blinking.
>
> I’ve had so many things poked into my eyes over the years - including scalpels and tweezers to remove stitches from my cornea - that I have virtually no reflex to blink anymore. If I’m truly surprised, then I do blink automatically, such as when a bug flies into my eye or something like that. As long as I’m thinking about it, though, the only real need to blink comes as my eyes start drying out.
Sounds like you’ve had corneal transplants. Me, too! (Three of them actually.) I, too, have learned to tolerate medical procedures that belong in a horror movie (maybe _The Hills Have Eyes_). In my case, though, I blink more frequently than I used to because the procedures and my eye condition have permanently irritated my eyes. I can see, though, there are a lot of factors that can go into reflexes and overriding them .
Lots of illuminating responses. Thanks, Dopers!
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### Author:  [@Unstable](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unstable)
#### Post date: [August 11, 2011, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/16 "2011-08-11T19:07:18Z")
> [@zeldarae](#):
>
> Never really thought I would share this, but I, too, gag when I brush my tongue yet have completely overcome the fellatio gag reflex.
Same here. Overcoming the reflex while performing felatio took some practice (which my bf at the time was more than happy to help me with) but is definitely doable. I would guess that people have different gag reflex tolerances though.
Frame of mind is definitely key, my toothbrush just ain’t sexy enough to make me want to stop gagging on it. I really don’t care for it’s feelings so…
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### Author:  [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2011, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/17 "2011-08-12T04:17:17Z")
> [@okiedokie](#):
>
> Interestingly enough, I have mastered controlling the gag reflex while performing fellatio; however, gag like crazy when I brush my teeth (specifically, my tongue)! Every time!
> [@zeldarae](#):
>
> Never really thought I would share this, but I, too, gag when I brush my tongue yet have completely overcome the fellatio gag reflex. …
> [@Unstable](#):
>
> Same here. … Frame of mind is definitely key, my toothbrush just ain’t sexy enough to make me want to stop gagging on it. I really don’t care for it’s feelings so…
try clasping your forehead while you brush your tongue.
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### Author:  [@Lare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lare)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2011, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/18 "2011-08-12T04:23:08Z")
> [@Romeo\_and\_Whatsherface](#):
>
> Sounds like you’ve had corneal transplants. Me, too! (Three of them actually.) I, too, have learned to tolerate medical procedures that belong in a horror movie (maybe _The Hills Have Eyes_).
Because \*The Eyes Have Ills?
\*Sorry
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### Author:  [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/19 "2011-08-12T04:37:57Z")
> [@okiedokie](#):
>
> Interestingly enough, I have mastered controlling the gag reflex while performing fellatio; however, gag like crazy when I brush my teeth (specifically, my tongue)! Every time!
I have never performed fellatio, but a dental hygienist told me how not to gag: breathe through your nose and close your upper palate to whatever the hell it closes on on the bottom.
Then you can brush to your heart’s content, even showing the back of the little teeth way back what for. Every morning I achieve a small victory.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [August 12, 2011, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/linda-lovelace-and-reflexes/592296/20 "2011-08-12T05:21:50Z")
> [@shijinn](#):
>
> try clasping your forehead while you brush your tongue.
Thanks for that tip **shijinn**! I’m one of those who uses a tongue brush and almost vomit when I do, as I also brush _underneath_ the tongue. I’ll try that in the morning!
Quasi
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