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Now that we got that out of the way, I\u2019ll admit; choking to the point where I lose consciousness is an unbelievable, euphoric feeling, unlike much I\u2019ve experienced. It doesn\u2019t take more than seconds of your (experienced) partner pressing firmly on your carotids, looking into your eyes, and commanding you let go<\/em>, until you dip into Elysium\u2014only to be pulled back, moments later, by the same hands that brought you there\u2014usually via a hard slap in the face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a brief time after coming back<\/em>, your entire body is hypersensitive; each pore is alert, every sensation is heightened, and your body is basically a receptacle for sensual pleasure. At the same time, you\u2019re giddy and giggly; high as a kite, fluttery like a butterfly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maybe you already went there<\/em> in your mind, but I\u2019ll say it nonetheless: Few things feel otherworldly like deep penetration in those moments; when you\u2019re basically a butterfly on ecstasy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I can hear the skeptics on one hand; why would you ever do that?<\/em> On the opposite end, I hear the adventure seekers; wow, that sounds amazing! I bet you do this all the time.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Both reactions are legitimate, and, as I sympathize with both, I\u2019ll address them as I go along. As s bit of a thrill-seeker myself, my first reaction would be the latter; where do I sign up? <\/em>But, since I\u2019m also highly concerned with safety, I haven\u2019t played at the edges of breath and choking play for a while, and I don\u2019t know when, or if, I will\u2014and, I\u2019m fine with that\u2014because, no matter how much I truly enjoy being over the moon,<\/em> I prefer to remain here on planet earth for now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The seriousness of this\u2014and any kind of breathplay\u2014combined with how much I equally covet the feeling, is why I hardly talk about it: I don\u2019t want to encourage something that has the potential to cause irreparable harm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the instances that do<\/em> I share, I\u2019m met with oohs<\/em> and aahs<\/em> and mixes of shock and intrigue\u200a\u2014\u200awhich was what happened when I told this to the owners and editors of SPNKD, Paul and Miriam, who promptly requested I write more about it here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s therefore with a tinge of hesitation that I proceed. Let\u2019s first learn what a choke-out is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A chokehold or blood choke is a strangulation technique where the carotid arteries and\/or the jugular veins, found on each side of the neck are compressed. This doesn\u2019t constrict the airways but causes brain ischemia, a temporary condition in which there\u2019s insufficient blood flow to the brain. Note that the flow is not entirely cut off, as you\u2019re still supplied via the vertebral arteries in the back of the neck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A proper blood choke doesn\u2019t require much physical strength, and will usually lead to unconsciousness in between five and fifteen seconds. Doing it one-handed requires fairly large hands, depending on the size of the person\u2019s neck. A chokehold can therefore also be done by wrapping the entire arm in a triangle around the neck to squeeze the arteries with the bicep and forearm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The technique is originally applied in combat to render an opponent unconscious in order to launch an attack, get them to submit or tap out. It\u2019s mainly in use among army special-forces and in different types of martial arts, such as MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, and wrestling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Of the two partners who I let do this to me, one was a previous fighter and the other an ex-military. Both had trained to master the technique, under close supervision, and knew exactly what they were doing\u2014as well as what to look out for. Since this isn\u2019t something to play around with<\/em>, I\u2019d strongly warn against experimenting with anyone without who isn\u2019t 100% sure they know the drill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n My butterfly on ecstasy <\/em>description is the most accurate I can come up with. Before passing out, you\u2019ll start to see stars, almost like when you stand up too fast from a really hot bath, and\/or if your blood sugar is low. Then, before realizing it, you\u2019re out\u2014not to understand that you\u2019ve been gone until you\u2019re back again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As newly oxygenated blood flushes the brain, you\u2019ll feel almost disoriented and a bit woozy. This gives the sensation of being high, which can be quite addictive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Done in a sexual context, particularly in a D\/s scenario, there\u2019s an erotic component added; the feeling of being taken out and brought back in the hands of your dominant partner can be an extremely powerful way to fully submit and let go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Done right, by someone with experience, to a healthy individual, the risk is low and the chances of any long term consequences are minuscule.<\/p>\n\n\n\n BUT<\/strong>\u2014there\u2019s no absolute guarantee, and someone could have underlying health conditions they\u2019re not aware of. Performed on someone with a cardiac disorder or hypertension could cause seizures and other complications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also imperative to never hold a choke after the person loses consciousness, or for an excessive amount of time\u2014various sources suggest twenty seconds maximum\u2014as this can cause permanent damage as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A blood choke works by constricting the supply of oxygenated blood to the brain, while an air choke means that the breathing or air pipe is blocked or constricted. Doing the latter to the point of unconsciousness can be very painful and takes several minutes. In combat, a component will usually tap out far before they reach this point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All breath- and asphyxiation play is rather controversial, even in the BDSM scene. It falls into the category of edgeplay<\/a>\u2014referring to all activities found on the edge of safety and sometimes even sanity\u2014it\u2019s the type of play that can be dangerous if not practiced correctly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edgeplay<\/a> challenges the traditional SSC-scheme (safe, sane, and consensual) and demands awareness and a willingness to accept the risks and consequences involved: RACK (risk-aware consensual kink).<\/p>\n\n\n\n With any breathplay, absolute trust is a requirement since you literally place your life in someone\u2019s hands. The act of doing that is also what makes it so rousing; it\u2019s the ultimate power exchange. On top, the physical effects of restricted oxygen intake work to intensify an orgasm or any sexual experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a plethora of ways to play with breath and choking play that are far less drastic than the blood choke\u2014but they needn\u2019t be any less exciting. Whether it\u2019s the mental or physical aspects of this is what entices you, or perhaps a bit of both, there are ways to (fairly) safely dip your toes\u2014or go all in. I\u2019ve listed some here, with increasing gravity:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sternum pressure | <\/strong>If you seek the feeling of being overpowered, instead of putting pressure on the neck, the dominant partner can push down hard, just on or above the submissive\u2019s sternum. This provides the intense sensation of pressure, without the lightheadedness and passing out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Light choking | <\/strong>There\u2019s no need to go all the way to feel both the mental and physical sensations of choking. A firm hand wrapped around the neck can be more than enough. Here, be careful not to put too much pressure on the front of the throat in order not to damage the windpipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Blocking of the mouth and nose | <\/strong>If you seek the physical high from the lightheadedness which comes from lack of oxygen, a fairly mild and very intimate version of breath play involves putting a hand over someone\u2019s mouth and pinching the nose closed. You\u2019ll quickly start feeling the build-up of asphyxia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gas masks and gags | <\/strong>Those with a thing for gas masks may use these for asphyxiation play, by temporarily blocking the air filters. Ball gags can work to partially block air intake as well, especially if the nose is pinched shut at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bagging, masks, and vacuum beds|<\/strong> When venturing back into more extreme areas again, we find the practice of using bags or plastic wrap around the submissive\u2019s face and head to restrict airflow. Rebreather masks are latex masks\u2014some of which also cover the eyes\u2014that have a box around the mouth that causes you to breathe the same air, over and over again. Vacuum beds place the entire body in a human-size, latex, vacuform for combined full-body bondage, sensation play, and potential asphyxiation combo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This goes without saying, but as this is merely a brief introduction, you\u2019ll need to do a lot more research and preferably learn from a pro and\/or at a legitimate workshop, if you plan to experiment with any of these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Waterboarding and drowning play | <\/strong>Now that we\u2019ve reached the kind of edgeplay that violates the Geneva convention, I will admit that we\u2019ve stepped quite far outside (!!!) my personal comfort zone and area of expertise; waterboarding has been banned as an interrogation technique by the UN and is considered torture, but it\u2019s still alive and well in corners of the BDSM scene. My attempt at pinging our resident masochist Tess Dagger<\/a> for more insight warranted a strong: DO NOT GO THERE!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Autoerotic asphyxiation | <\/strong>If you ever listen to the Savage Lovecast<\/a>, you\u2019ve probably heard Dan tell stories of notable religious leaders and rightwing politicians, which openly criticize \u2018perverted\u2019 sexual practices, found dead from self-strangulation. The list of people who have died this way is quite long, and therefore, this is another place where I\u2019d strongly warn against going: Do not play with any kind of breath play or asphyxiation unless someone you trust is right there to untangle you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n * The only exception to this is holding your breath while you masturbate\u2014which I discovered early in my solo-sex journey brings me closer to orgasm very fast\u2014and pointed me to realize that certain types of breath play are turn-ons for me. This is safe since there\u2019s no way you can hold your breath long enough to faint; your body\u2019s natural reflexes will override far before you get there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n No matter which route you may choose to take, always err on the side of caution: keep your safeword ready and note that in cases where you can\u2019t speak, you must establish a physical sign as an alternative, such as a tap out on your partner\u2019s arm, or dropping a ball or other object that you’re holding in your hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re in it for the physical, mental sensation, or both\u2014and whether you like it fairly vanilla or extra-spicy, breath play can be a tantalizing way to trigger everything from the excitement of fear-induced arousal<\/a>, deep submission, and giving up of control, as well as all kinds of other tingly sensations both in your brain and body. Done right and with safety as a main objective, breath play can be an intoxicating and enriching part of a BDSM dynamic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat happens physically when you choke out?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"Man](\"https:\/\/spnkd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SPNKD_Blog_Take-My-Breath-Away-2-1024x682.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nWhere does it come from?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat does it feel like?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat are the dangers?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How is a blood-choke different from breath play and air choking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/spnkd.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/08\/SPNKD_Blog_Take-My-Breath-Away-3-1024x682.jpeg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nDifferent types of breath play<\/h2>\n\n\n\n