# What's with rubbing your temples and loosing your gag reflex? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [November 7, 2004, 1:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432 "2004-11-07T01:26:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/21 "2004-11-07T16:58:45Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Isn’t this part of the “air sick prevention” things that they sell? Supposedly a strap with little plastic nubs positioned so that they apply pressure in the area just above and in front of your ears? > > You mean they actually work? I dunno, but in my case air sickness is a sense of queasiness or feeling nauseated quite different than that of gagging or choking. I don’t experience it often, but I will absolutely give this a shot next time I do. ---
**Author:** ![Severian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/22 "2004-11-07T17:28:39Z")
We’re all going to be so much fun at parties! ---
**Author:** ![Tabby\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Tabby\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tabby_Cat)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/23 "2004-11-07T18:48:47Z")
> [@Severian](#): > > We’re all going to be so much fun at parties! Look, there is just _no way_ that I’m going to blow everyone. Besides, it’s not like they’re gonna let another guy blow them, anyway. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/24 "2004-11-07T18:51:11Z")
> [@Tabby\_Cat](#): > > Look, there is just _no way_ that I’m going to blow everyone. Slacker! _shrugs_ More for me, then… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![alterego](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6bbea6/32.png) [@alterego](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alterego)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 7:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/25 "2004-11-07T19:06:31Z")
Any citations anywhere for this phenomenon? ---
**Author:** ![Nars\_Glinley](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nars_glinley/32/8177_2.png) [@Nars\_Glinley](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nars_Glinley)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/26 "2004-11-07T19:18:03Z")
MAJOR Gagger checking in. I think a lot of it has to do with your attitude. I just tried it and the whole time I was thinking “This isn’t going to work. This isn’t going to work.” I brushed my tongue farther and longer than I ever had. Only gagged once. So I tried it again but this time thinking “Maybe it will work.” No gagging the second time. Amazing. I am definitely going to re-up by SD subscription. ---
**Author:** ![samclem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a9a28c/32.png) [@samclem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samclem)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/27 "2004-11-07T19:38:31Z")
Hey! The entire Red Sox team must have learned about this one recently. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/28 "2004-11-07T19:45:42Z")
> [@alterego](#): > > Any citations anywhere for this phenomenon? I Googled for “gag relex” AND “temple”. I was astounded at the number of hits related to places if worship. 😃 But I didn’t find anything even close to a reputable looking medical site linking the two. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/29 "2004-11-07T19:57:01Z")
From [HERE](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9515420&dopt=Abstract): " A preventive approach suggests that the sensory stimulation of the cranial nerves of the superior laryngeal nerve branch, _(Cr N, IX, pharyngeal branch of X, Cr. N. V, and Cr N. X.)_ would block the physiologic response of gagging and retching." (Italics Mine) But I am not sure how rubbing the temples would stimulate CN IX or X. The temples are innervated (as far as I know) by V and maybe 7 I think. I can’t find anything on google that suggest rubbing the temples will stimulate IX or X… IANAD; YMMV; Sober; Still Confused… ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/30 "2004-11-07T20:01:43Z")
> [@samclem](#): > > Hey! The entire Red Sox team must have learned about this one recently. 🙂 Are the choke and gag reflexes the same? If so, the Cubs need this training desperately. ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/31 "2004-11-07T20:10:42Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Well, as I’ve implied in this thread, I’m going on a little sex jaunt to DC next weekend. I certainly intend to use this technique. I’ll let you know how long it lasts. 😉 I? Am so tapping my foot here. Like you need the practice anyway. You put Madonna and Margaret Cho to shame! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/32 "2004-11-07T20:21:51Z")
> [@supervenusfreak](#): > > I? Am so tapping my foot here. Like you need the practice anyway. You put Madonna and Margaret Cho to shame! :eek: Practice makes perfect. And I’m working on perfect… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/33 "2004-11-07T20:34:02Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Practice makes perfect. And I’m working on perfect… 😛 You and Linda Lovelace… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/34 "2004-11-07T20:39:19Z")
> [@supervenusfreak](#): > > You and Linda Lovelace… :eek: Actually, I was thinking of Woodward and Bernstein’s secret source – but whatever peels your banana! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/35 "2004-11-07T20:43:49Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Actually, I was thinking of Woodward and Bernstein’s secret source – but whatever peels your banana! 😛 Look, hon! Told you we were like vaudeville. Everybody wants to get into the act. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Polycarp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/82dd89/32.png) [@Polycarp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Polycarp)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/36 "2004-11-07T22:00:51Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Look, hon! Told you we were like vaudeville. Everybody wants to get into the act. 🙂 Hey, every successful vaudeville-style comedian needs a straight man! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/37 "2004-11-07T23:36:19Z")
> [@Polycarp](#): > > Hey, every successful vaudeville-style comedian needs a straight man! 😃 Take him out and shoot him. I’ll swear out the warrant later… 😛 ---
**Author:** ![supervenusfreak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@supervenusfreak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/supervenusfreak)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/38 "2004-11-08T02:40:20Z")
> [@jayjay](#): > > Take him out and shoot him. I’ll swear out the warrant later… 😛 Boy does that call for a rimshot! ---
**Author:** ![CheapBastid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8baadc/32.png) [@CheapBastid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CheapBastid)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432/39 "2004-11-08T04:04:30Z")
> [@supervenusfreak](#): > > Boy does that call for a rimshot! Yep. Add it to your repertoire and you’re bound to go 'round the world. 😉 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-with-rubbing-your-temples-and-loosing-your-gag-reflex/273432.md?page=1)