Erotic+Asphyxiation

= = Scott Rine ** Erotic Asphyxiation  ** People go to bizarre extremes to fulfill sexual desires. Today, there seems to be fetishes exist for attractions to any type of activity or thing. One dangerous fetish, called erotic asphyxiation, has gotten much publicity because of its popularity and connection with many deaths. This wiki is intended to explore different aspects of erotic asphyxiation including what it is, why people do it, and the dangers that come from doing the activity. ** What is Erotic Asphyxiation? **

Erotic Asphyxiation is the intentional cutting off of oxygen and blood to the brain to become sexually aroused. Accord ing to the article titled “What is Erotic Asphyxiation?” from the website // What Is? Guide.net, //erotic asphyxiation is a is also referred to as “Breath Control Play, Autoerotic Asphyxia, or Hypoxyphilia” (// What Is? Guide.net, //2011). Anthony Van Pham, a writer for // T // // he Dashing Fellows //explains, “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”” (Van Pham, 2009) . A person who engages in erotic  asphyxiation is known as a gasper. The act of erotic asphyxiation usually involves a rope or scarf that can be tied tightly around the neck, or any object that can cover the mouth and nose to cut off oxygen, such as a plastic bag. This is all done because it is believed to intensify the orgasm of the man or woman participating.   ** History **  Surprisingly, erotic asphyxiation has been around for a long time. Cameron King, a writer for the Viceland Today reports that choking has been used in a variety of cultures for “religious, sexual, and childhood rituals” (King, 2009). He goes on to explain that “Anthropologists have found evidence of choking games in primitive Celtic culture, the South American Yahgans, Eskimos, and children of Shoshone-Bannock Indians” (King, 2009). He then states how they have found depictions from the Mayan culture of men with erections and rope around their necks that date back to 1000 A.D. Because the Mayans participated in religious sacrifices, King explains how they believed that those who hanged themselves go straight to a paradise were they are received by the goddess of the hanged, Ixtab.

The act has also been documented in the late 1600s as being commonly used. Van Pham writes, “I t was first used as a treatment for [|erectile dysfunction] and impotence” (Van Pham, 2009). The idea behind this came from public hangings. Often times with male victims it was noticed that the dead had experienced an erection and in some cases an ejaculation from the hanging. Since little was known about the activity, and there were no common drugs to cure erectile dysfunction, the activity emerged as a way for those with erectile dysfunction to become aroused.   ** Why do People Participate in Erotic Asphyxiation? **  The main reason why most participate in erotic asphyxiation is because it can increase sexual pleasure. Sophie Herdman, an author for the website Psychologies, explains how choking does cut off oxygen to the brain which can heighten the sex. “ Take a look at the [|neuroscience] : a sudden loss of oxygen to the brain increases light-headedness and giddiness, all of which heighten a sexual experience” (Herdman, 2011). But the lack of oxygen and light-headedness isn’t the end of the experience. It’s the combination of the endorphins released with the lack of oxygen that provides the real pleasure. “When combined with the endorphins released at orgasm, a lack of oxygen can induce a semi-hallucinogenic state called [|hypoxia], which is as powerful as cocaine” (Herdman, 2011). This powerful sensation is becomes addictive and people begin to need the lack of air in order to get off. They begin to fantasize about the activity until it becomes necessary in order to experience orgasm. Another aspect of erotic asphyxiation is the power or control it can assert over a partner. Dr. V, a writer for the website titled // The Frisky //, explains this dominance through an experience of one of her readers. “One [|vamp] wrote that she enjoys the escape, the rush of adrenaline, the light-headed feeling, complete loss of control, and the naughty flirtation with danger that EA brings” (Dr. V, 2009). So, certain individuals like the feeling of being dominated by the choking, and even find sexiness with the risk of passing out or even death. ** Dangers of Erotic Asphyxiation  ** Erotic Asphyxiation is extremely dangerous due to the lack of oxygen and blood that the brain receives. This is especially the case when the activity is done by oneself and without a partner. Herdman states that, “ it’s estimated that there are between [|500 to 1,000 deaths] from auto-erotic asphyxiation a year in the US” (Herdman, 2011). Though, some argue that the actual number is really larger, but families may feel embarrassed and would rather just call the death a suicide. Most of these deaths tend to be a male, which makes sense because the female naturally needs to feel a sense of security in order to reach an orgasm. Van Pham explains “Deaths often occur when the loss of consciousness caused by partial asphyxia leads to loss of control over the means of strangulation, resulting in continued asphyxia and death” (Van Pham, 2011). The lack of oxygen slowly builds until the individual passes out. Without someone else around to help them, the person participating in the erotic asphyxiation is left with a rope around their neck, or bag over their head and nothing they can do about. So, they pass out, suffocate, and die. If people survive the experience, the act of erotic asphyxiation is still dangerous because cutting off oxygen and blood to the brain results in the loss of brain cells. Cases have been reported where the brain has lost enough oxygen that it has led to the participant experiencing brain damage. One of the most famous cases that dealt with the death of a celebrity participating in erotic asphyxiation is with the actor David Carradine. Carradine appeared in the Kill Bill films and was known for roles in other Kung Fu films. His death in 2009 is believed to be a result of erotic asphyxiation. Another notable death is Michael Hutchence the lead singer of INXS. His death in 1997 is rumored to be a result of erotic asphyxiation. ** Works Cited  ** Dr. V. (2009, June 13). Doin’ It With Dr. V: Answers About Erotic Asphyxiation. // The // // Frisky. // Retrieved April 7, 2011 from [] doin-it-with-dr-v-erotic-asyphyxiation/. Herdman, Sophie. (2011). Erotic Asphyxiation-why do people do it?. // Psychologies. //   Retrieved April 7, 2011 from [] asphyxiation-%E2%80%94-why-do-people-do-it/. King, Cameron. (2009, December 20). A to Z of Sexual History: Erotic Asphyxiation. // Viceland Today  //. Retrieved April 7, 20011 from http://www.viceland.com/blogs/en/2009/12/20/a-to-z-of-sexual-history-erotic-asphyxiation/. Van Pham, Anthony. (2009, June 6). Erotic Asphyxiation. // The Dashing Fellows. //   Retrieved April 7, 2011 from [] asphyxiation/4188. What is? Guide.net (2011, February 15). What is Erotic Asphyxiation?. // What is? //  //  Guide.net  //. Retrieved April 7, 2011 from [] erotic-asphyxiation.html.