Erotic asphyxiation refers to intentionally cutting off oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. It is also called asphyxiophilia , autoerotic asphyxia , or breath control play. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a gasper. The erotic interest in asphyxiation is classified as a paraphilia in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of the American Psychiatric Association. Psychiatrist Joseph Merlino stated that it meets the criteria for a disorder "because it has the potential for lethality or serious injury. Historically, the practice of autoerotic asphyxiation has been documented since the early s.
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6 Things You Need To Know About Erotic Asphyxiation - SHE'SAID'
This Men's Health story on choking , specifically, has been viewed nearly half a million times. It carries some real risks, especially if people do it without thoughtful discussion of consent, health, and safety. Perhaps the most well known form of breath play is choking, but there are actually many forms, says Good Vibrations staff sexologist Carol Queen. Breath play may simply involve someone telling a partner to hold their breath. As you might suspect, this is dangerous—more on that below. Some might even consider submerging in water during sex a type of breath play.
Autoerotic Asphyxiophilia
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Exposing the general public to a practice that is unsafe by its nature is seldom a good idea, because there is so little information on how to do it safely. Bear in mind, we think no one should ever take part in activities like this, but we know that many people are too set in their dangerous ways to be swayed to the safe side of the argument. If you insist on doing it, or having your partner choke you, at least be safe about it.