Struggling with Gag Reflex—Any Real Tips That Work?

I’ve been trying to improve my deepthroating skills, but my gag reflex is a total bitch. I’ve heard about throat-numbing sprays, but they don’t seem to help much. Someone told me to practice with a banana, but honestly, that just feels weird. What’s actually worked for me is breathing through my nose and relaxing my throat instead of tensing up. Sounds simple, but it makes a huge difference. Does anyone else have a method that actually works?