Sexual choking, often seen in adult videos, is becoming alarmingly common in real-life intimacy—especially among younger people. A recent survey found that 61.3% of people have seen the act in porn, with over a third of 16 to 34-year-olds admitting to trying it themselves.

Sexual asphyxiation, or breath play, involves choking for pleasure. While it may be portrayed as thrilling in media, experts warn it carries serious health risks. “There’s no safe way to do it,” said Dr. Jane Meyrick, a sexual health psychologist. “No safe quantity of blood or oxygen you can cut off from her brain for fun.”

Health effects range from broken blood vessels and hoarseness to PTSD, memory loss, and even death from blocked arteries. Meyrick noted a dangerous shift: “It has become normalised practice among younger people and not viewed as problematic.”

If someone loses consciousness or struggles to breathe during breath play, emergency help is critical. Experts stress awareness and education before imitation turns fatal—because what seems thrilling could have deadly consequences.