Chasing Killer Orgasms: Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation

SKYE BLUE

This week it’s all about Breath Play, and I’m here to start things off by telling you a bit about Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation or AEA…

So What is AEA exactly?

Well dear readers, AEA is:

1. The practice of cutting off the blood supply to the brain through self-applied suffocation methods while masturbating.
2. A fetish that is considered to be one of the greatest and most dangerous sexual taboos, primarily because it is practiced alone and is usually a carefully guarded secret.
3. A highly addictive method of masturbation that induces a lucid, semi-hallucinogenic state called cerebral hypoxia. Combined with orgasm, the rush is said to be as powerful (if not more so) than taking a hit of cocaine.

.

The Physiology of AEA:

Both the carotid artery, which carries blood to the brain and the jugular vein which carries blood back to the heart pass through your neck. When these vessels are constricted carbon dioxide builds up in the brain, and creating a narcotic effect. Combining that effect with an orgasm may trigger the release of dopamine, which in turn intensifies the feeling of euphoria.

.

Although AEA only pops up in the news when a celebrity dies as a result of what is usually reported as a suicide or ‘solo sex game gone wrong’ – as was the case for Micheal Hutchence, David Carradine and Kristian Digby – AEA is a much more common method of masturbation than most might think. According the FBI’s estimates, this fetish, which has been around since ancient times (there is evidence that the practice was known to ancient Mayans in Mexico), is responsible for 500-1000 deaths/year (mostly men, though women also perform AEA) in the US alone. Some experts believe these estimates are quite conservative because many AEA deaths are labeled as homicides or suicides by police and family members, to conceal the ‘unsavoury’ truth.

AEA is usually discovered as a method of masturbation when young adults start experimenting on their own. Many who stumble upon the practice, which eventually becomes a fetish, after becoming familiar with the thrill of the high of dizziness created by playing the choking game or similar activities. The problem is that the intense highs reached when performing AEA are so addictive that individuals, who choose to masturbate this way, are at risk of falling into a pattern of chasing the heightened the orgasmic experience (much like a junkie seeking out his/her next hit), as well as the psychological thrill they get from performing such a dangerous activity. Often, in order to reach increasingly intense orgasms, the risk level of their activities will escalate; which also increases the possibility for fatal accidents.

And even for the lucky ones who don’t die, depending on how long their bodies are deprived of oxygen, brain damage could still occur. Persons participating in AEA also risk lacerating, cutting, or bruising their necks, depending on the suffocation or strangulation techniques used. The more common ways of carrying out the practice are self-hanging, strangulation, choking, suffocation and other techniques that restrict breathing. Notably, self-hanging is usually the method observed among fatal cases.

–

If after reading all of the above you’re still one of the seemingly growing number of people interested in experiencing the orgasmic highs achieved through AEA, I’d like to suggest (since I firmly believe that there is no orgasm so good that it’s worth risking death for – but I’m also extremely risk averse, so what do I know?) that you start by trying safer options like trying tantric breathing and gas masks and/or choosing to engage in gentle breath play with a partner (one who knows what he or she is doing!) first.

And if you’re looking for like minded folk to connect with or for information from people in the know about AEA, choking or any other type of breath play and you don’t know where to look, here’s a tip. Check out fetlife.com, sign up and then join one of the discussion groups (they’re literally hundreds of discussions on virtually every type of kink under the sun) on the fetish of your choice.

Until next time…

.

Breathe and Play Safe!

Bookmark It