Today, while still sometimes used for headaches, lidocaine nasal sprays are most commonly purchased for: Numbing the upper jaw without a needle.

The story goes that in the late 20th century, patients and a few pioneering neurologists began experimenting with as a "nerve block in a bottle." Unlike using it for a simple numb nose, the goal was to tilt the head back and angle the spray specifically to reach the sphenopalatine ganglion (SPG) —a bundle of nerves located deep behind the nose that acts as a relay station for pain. Why It Became a "Story"

The "interesting" part of buying lidocaine spray is often the hurdle of getting it. Because it is a potent local anesthetic, it isn't usually found on a standard pharmacy shelf next to saline sprays.

It led to the "Lidocaine Lean," a specific physical maneuver where patients lie off the edge of a bed to ensure the liquid reaches the SPG. Modern Medical Use