Deepthroating can feel super intimidating. It might seem like the Mt. Everest of sex techniques.

But if you want to learn this all-the-way-down blowjob variation, you absolutely can — with a few handy tips and some practice, of course.

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This is one skill to try only when you’re ready. Don’t feel pressured — by your partner or a scene from your favorite porn flick — to try deepthroating.

And if you change your mind mid-attempt, that’s totally OK. All sexual acts should be consensual and safe the whole time.

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1. Get past the gag

Going down all the way puts you up against one major obstacle: your gag reflex. It’s there for a reason: to prevent you from inhaling food into your lungs. One way to overcome this reflex is to practice on a toy.

“Choose a silicone, realistic dildo — something as close as you can get to the real thing. Repeatedly stick it down your throat — try holding it there,” says Bethany Ricciardi, a sex and relationship expert with TooTimid.

“Move it in and out, all around, and even try swallowing around it. Each time you feel that gag start to kick in, stop and try to take a second to suppress it,” Ricciardi says.

The more you practice, the more likely you are to get past that gagging urge.

2. Find the right angle

“You may find it easier to be on your knees, or you can try leaning your head off the edge of the bed, which can help open the throat,” shares sexpert Antonia Hall.

“Keep a moistened grip on the bottom of the penis by the testicles for greater control,” she says — especially while you’re getting comfortable with deepthroating.

“Open your mouth and throat as wide as possible, flattening your tongue against the floor of the mouth and stretching your neck as long as possible,” Hall adds.

3. Remember your breathing

If your gag reflex is an issue, inhale while the penis is going in and exhale while it’s coming out. You’ll need to breathe out of your nose while your mouth is full.

Keep in mind that the gag reflex is reminding you to breathe. The trick is to relax enough to manage it without completely suppressing it.

“If it’s too hard, try and find a nice rhythm that allows you to take little breaths out as he slides out of your throat, and hold it while he is down in your throat,” says Ricciardi.

4. Relax with a glass of wine

If you’re feeling anxiety about deepthroating — like, you’re wracked with the fear that you’ll choke — it’s worth taking a minute beforehand to relax.

“For me, I definitely think a glass of wine helps to ease the anxiety,” says adult star Daizha Morgann. It’s actually not the wine that’s doing it, but rather a compound in it called resveratrol which may play a role in helping relieve anxiety, according to a research review with mice.

If you’re not into liquid courage, gearing up with a little meditation, deep breathing, or ASMR may help.

5. Stay hydrated

Drinking lots of water makes oral sex more comfortable. It keeps your mouth moist — a key to oral of any kind.

“Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, can vary in cause and severity, but even something simple like too much caffeine and not enough water in your system can reduce your saliva production and cause a parched feeling,” Salyers says.

6. Consider spit sexy

If you’re icked out by spit, now’s the time to learn to embrace it.

“Your partner will probably think it’s sexy — use it to your advantage and let the spit help the penis slide in and out of your mouth,” Ricciardi says.

7. Add a splash of citrus

“I personally love to take shots of lemon juice beforehand,” says Morgann. “It makes me drool way more, and makes it easier to take it ALL in.”

The American Dental Association says that your dentist may not love what the citrus does to your tooth enamel, but this is a special-occasion kind of adventure anyway. According to a small 2015 study, lemon juice and yogurt have both been shown to keep you salivating.

8. Sheathe your swords

“When it comes to deepthroating, you have to look at your teeth as swords,” says Ember Snow, adult performer and cam star. Stab your partner with them, and you won’t get a chance for a repeat performance.

“Sheathe those swords when you slide the penis into your mouth. Once you can do that, step it up a notch by sticking your tongue out,” Snow says.

9. Take breaks if you need them

If you’re having trouble mastering a breathing rhythm, stop to inhale.

“If you have to, just take a break every 10 seconds to catch your breath and then keep going,” Ricciardi says. “Make sure the person receiving oral is respectful to you and can understand the difficulty of the task.”

They need to be patient too. That way, there’s no pressure or anxiety to perform. There’s always another day to try new things.

10. Maintain intimacy

Deepthroating may conjure up images of porn, but it’s also very intimate. You’re basically giving deep sexual pleasure to your partner by making love to them with your mouth and throat.

“There’s often an element of surrendering to one’s partner by the giver and a sense of power and control by the person receiving,” Hall says.

“The receiver will experience the intimate depth of the person’s mouth and the back of the throat, which is soft and feels particularly good against the tip of the penis,” Hall adds.

Eye contact can go a long way here.

11. Don’t be afraid to swallow

No, you definitely don’t have to swallow, but it can be sexy and actually an advantage. “If you don’t like the taste or sensation of them coming in your mouth, you won’t feel it happening!” Ricciardi says.

Deepthroating to completion and swallowing while they’re still down there is definitely a skill — an advanced one. But beginners can always work their way up if it’s your goal.

12. Play ball!

Another more advanced technique that you can try is to bring in some ball play. “If you’re kneeling in front of your partner, and they’re deep inside your throat, you’re in a perfect position to stick your tongue out and lick their balls,” Ricciardi says.

“You’ll want to keep the penis deep. Don’t move it in and out, but continue deepthroating while licking!” Ricciardi says. You can always massage the testicles with your hands or reach up and grab their nipples for extra stimulation as well.

There’s definitely an art to deepthroating. But with a little bit of practice and a few tricks, you can get all Linda Lovelace (look her up) on your partner, and earn your place as a superstar in the sack.

Aly Walansky is a New York-based lifestyle writer. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter @alywalansky.