"The fact is your throat is one part of your body, so it operates as part of a complex system. If you're tense about pill swallowing, that tension will most certainly surface when you try to swallow a pill. While it may seem as if you have an extraordinarily strong gag reflex or odd throat mannerisms, consider that it may actually be the power of your mind, not the power of your throat. Or, perhaps not being able to swallow tablets has something to do with a past event? Did you choke on a peach pit many years ago? Has a school nurse with dirty hands forced you to take a pill? Subconsciously, you may be dealing with issues such as these every time you try to swallow an aspirin or vitamin. Fear of choking, fear of medicine, or general anxiety may be preventing you from swallowing pills. If you think these mental factors are to blame, you might consider talking with a counselor. While it seems unlikely, the possibility of a greater medical issue does exist. The medical term for difficulty swallowing is dysphagia, and the term is often used with regard to a disorder of the esophagus." [source http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1985.html] "When you swallow, your tongue pushes food to the back of your throat. Muscle contractions quickly move food through your pharynx, the area that extends from the back of your throat to the top of your esophagus. Next, the food moves past your windpipe (trachea) and into your esophagus, the tube that connects your throat to your stomach. Circular bands of muscles (sphincters) at the top and bottom of your esophagus open every time you swallow to let food pass, then quickly close. The lower sphincter allows food to enter your stomach and keeps stomach acid from coming up into your esophagus. Muscles in the wall of your esophagus help push food toward your stomach in a coordinated process (peristalsis). Dysphagia occurs when there's a problem with any part of the swallowing process. A number of conditions can interfere with swallowing, and they generally fall into one of several main categories: Esophageal dysphagia This is the most common type of dysphagia, and refers to the sensation of food sticking or getting hung up in the base of your throat or chest. Common causes of esophageal dysphagia include: * Achalasia. This occurs when your lower esophageal muscle (sphincter) doesn't relax properly to let food enter your stomach. Muscles in the wall of your esophagus are often weak as well. This can cause regurgitation of food not yet mixed with stomach contents, sometimes causing a sweet taste in your mouth. * Aging. With age, your esophagus tends to lose some of the muscle strength and coordination needed to push food into your stomach. * Diffuse spasm. This condition produces multiple, high-pressure, poorly coordinated contractions of your esophagus usually after you swallow. Diffuse spasm is a rare disorder that affects the smooth (involuntary) muscles in the walls of your lower esophagus. The contractions often occur intermittently, becoming more severe over a period of years. * Esophageal stricture. Narrowing of your esophagus (stricture) causes large chunks of food to get caught. Narrowing may result from the formation of scar tissue, often caused by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or tumors. * Esophageal tumors. Difficulty swallowing tends to get progressively worse over several months when esophageal tumors are present. * Foreign bodies. Sometimes, food, such as a large piece of meat or bone, or another object can become lodged in your throat or esophagus. Older adults with dentures and people who have difficulty chewing their food properly are at risk of obstruction of the throat or esophagus. Children are prone to swallowing pins, coins, pieces of toys, or other small objects that can become stuck. If an obstruction causes an inability to swallow or interferes with breathing, call for emergency help or go to the nearest emergency department immediately. * Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Damage to esophageal tissues from stomach acid backing up (refluxing) into your esophagus can lead to scarring and narrowing of your lower esophagus, making swallowing difficult. Long-term GERD can sometimes lead to Barrett's esophagus, a condition in which the color and composition of the cells lining your lower esophagus change because of repeated exposure to stomach acid. Having Barrett's esophagus increases your risk of esophageal cancer. * Pharyngeal diverticula. A small pouch forms and collects food particles in your throat, often just above your esophagus, leading to difficulty swallowing, gurgling sounds, bad breath and repeated throat-clearing or coughing. This disorder is more common as you age. * Scleroderma. This disease is characterized by an overgrowth of scar-like tissue, causing stiffening and hardening of tissues. It can weaken your lower esophageal sphincter, allowing acid to reflux into your esophagus and causing symptoms and complications similar to those of GERD." [source http://www.ohiohealth.com/healthreference/reference/7F63DE3D-2EC2-4360-AF54FB7E1C39A350.htm?category=disease]

In this case, its mind over matter. your brain controls your body. swallowing pills takes focusing. meaning, eliminating all thoughts from your mind, and concentrating strictly on swallowing your pills. here is my routine for taking my morning pills: i sit in a chair, armed with a bottle of spring water. i gather my pills in my left hand. i focus on an object, inside or outside, the house. take a drink of water to lubricate my throat. put pills in mouth with an amount of water. lean my head backward, to the point of choking. staying focused, i swallow with one big gulp. i also swallow air. this works for me. try it.

I think it's all in your head. That you don't believe you can do it so you don't try as hard....I know most people would say this and they would probably be able to swallow a pill. But I am saying this as a person you still cannot swallow a pill I have tried about 10 times but I havent succeded in doing so. Good luck and you'll get it eventually Good Luck!!

Indeed difficulty swallowing is not all in you head for everyone. While some people may have a mental block, dysphagia is indeed a condition that many people suffer from. My wife had a very tough time taking her prenatal vitamins and I could not believe that their was not an easier way to take these supplements. Liquid vitamins are one solution but I have worked in the pharmaceutical business for many years and know first hand that liquid vitamins tend to degrade (break down) much faster than vitamins in tablets or pills. This is due to a number of reasons but oxidative degradation is the main culprit. Alas we have found a solution, during my quest to see if a product existed I stumbled upon http://www.ezmeltvitamins.com/ this site has a variety of vitamins that melt in your mouth. They call them EZ Melt tablets, the vitamins are stable as they are in most tablets but they are also easy to take because they melt in your mouth, hooray for science.