What causes the sensation of a lump in the throat?

Globus, or the sensation of having a lump in the throat, is commonly caused by anxiety or stomach reflux, according to MedicineNet. Various emotions and psychological disruptions can manifest themselves as a lump in the throat or other physical impairments, when in actuality nothing is physically wrong.

Spasms of the esophagus due to acid reflux may cause the lining to protrude, giving the feeling of something being caught in the throat, explains Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. There is an actual chance of food becoming stuck in the esophagus as a result of those reflux-induced spasms. Physicians test for reflux as a cause of globus sensation.