If you like to explore kink, chances are you’re already familiar with choking.

But choking is just part of a bigger picture: breath play. Also referred to as erotic or autoerotic asphyxiation, it can be a fun way to add some spice and danger to your sex life. But this practice can be fatal if you don’t do it correctly, and that's why safety always comes first.

If you want to experiment with breath control, a kink many people swear by, start slow. It has the potential to bring big pleasure, but at a high cost. 

What is breath play?

Breath play, or erotic asphyxiation, is the act of intentionally restricting oxygen to the brain during sexual activity. You can do it solo — known as autoerotic asphyxiation — or with partners. It’s a high-risk sexual behavior because, if you overdo it, the lack of oxygen can cause permanent damage to your brain, which is why it’s so important to practice with care.

While some people hold their breath while masturbating or having sex, others use tools like belts, scarves, or ropes tied around their necks to restrict their or a partner’s air supply. Smothering and strangulation during sex also work, as well as using ball gags, gas masks, or blocking your own or another person's nose or mouth. 

This sexual activity blurs the line between pleasure and danger, which is the draw for some people. But if you experiment with breath play, it's essential to exercise extreme caution at all times. 

Risk factors of breath play 

Favored by kinksters and often associated with BDSM, choking and breath play during sex carry inherent risks. Understanding the dangers is critical to making an informed decision about exploring this kink (and staying safe if you do decide to try it). Autoerotic asphyxiation is especially dangerous because there’s nobody else there to help you if you go too far — and people do die from it.

The goal here isn’t to scare you out of experimenting with breath play. It’s just to inform you of the risks and reiterate why it’s so important to stay safe, communicate, and always be alert if you decide to give it a try.

• Cardiac arrest: Oxygen deprivation stresses the heart, which in extreme cases, can lead to a heart attack.

• Injuries: When someone’s pressing on your neck, it could lead to injury and bruising — in particular with tools like ropes and gags. These can range from minor abrasions to more severe injuries, especially if struggling away from your partner is part of the act.

• Brain damage: Restriction of oxygen can cause irreversible brain damage. This could lead to cognitive impairments, memory issues, or other long-term neurological effects.

• Death: The ultimate risk of breath play is death, which is sometimes known as accidental erotic death. This usually happens when someone doesn’t get enough oxygen for a long enough time.

Why do people enjoy breath play? 

For some, breath play has a role in their alternative or kinky sexual lifestyle. For others, it simply just feels good. 

Here's a closer look at why people engage in breath play, despite the risks: 

Physiological

When you breathe back in after restricting oxygen, your brain releases a rush of endorphins and adrenaline. This feels like a "high" and can intensify orgasms for some people, making the overall sexual experience more powerful. 

Psychological

For many, the thrill of breath plays stems from dominance or submission. Trusting someone with power over your breathing can create vulnerability and trust, deepening your sexual bond. It’s an erotic power-play for people who love rough sex with a little danger. Some people also find sexual pleasure in the feeling of panic or indulging in a sexual taboo.

Physical

Beyond the endorphin rush, some people enjoy the physical sensations of breath play, like tingling or light-headedness. Others love the feeling of having a hand or rope on their neck. These sensations can heighten awareness during sex or masturbation, taking arousal to the next level. 

Types of breath play 

There’s a spectrum of practices under the umbrella of breath play, each unique in its own way. Some are more dangerous than others, but every type requires mutual trust and thorough communication with your partner. 

Here's a closer look at the different methods of breath play:

• Neck-holding: This is a low-risk type of breath play where one partner holds the other's neck without pressure. It's a safe way to experience the kink you crave without the risk. 

• Breath-swapping: Partners take turns breathing into each other's mouths, which is intimate and also has an element of oxygen deprivation.

• Breath-holding: As you might already know from the name, this is when you hold your breath for an extended period during sex. A step up from neck-holding and breath-swapping, this type of breath play can cause lightheadedness.  

• Choking: Choking during sex involves applying direct pressure on a person's neck or trachea with hands or a tool. This could be light or more extreme, depending on preference.

• Queening/kinging: Also known as face-sitting, queening or kinging (or royal-ing) is where one partner sits on the other's face, restricting their breath with their genitals. If you’re interested in doing this, it requires thorough communication so the person on the bottom doesn’t start to suffocate.

• Chest compression: Also called corseting, chest compression is applying pressure to the chest to limit the lungs' ability to expand. This comes with similar risks as breath-holding or queening, with the added threat of injuring the ribs or lungs.

Tips to practice breath play safely 

While thrill and excitement are no doubt motivating factors for exploring breath play, doing so safely requires prep work. Here are some vital pointers for a safer experience:

1. Educate yourself

Before you begin, learn about the anatomy of the neck and chest. Familiarize yourself with the location of the windpipe, arteries, and veins to help prevent unintentional injury. A slight misplacement of pressure can cause severe damage, so do your research. 

2. Set a communication standard

Communicate, communicate, communicate. Open dialogue is the cornerstone of any adventurous or risky sexual activity, so make sure you discuss your needs, boundaries, and concerns with your partner ahead of time. During the act, maintain an ongoing conversation about sensations and comfort levels, and always establish a safe word. 

3. Consent

Always give and receive consent during sex if you're trying out breath play. While consent is an absolutely non-negotiable foundation for all sexual acts, it's essential when exploring potentially dangerous kinks like erotic asphyxiation. Everyone involved must be a willing and enthusiastic participant fully aware of the risks. 

Possible side effects of breath play 

Breath play is intense, and it does have a handful of potential side effects. Always be on the lookout for these and any other unusual symptoms. If you do hurt yourself, injuries might not show up right away, so keep tabs on your breathing and your body overall. Seek medical attention for lingering effects or if something more serious seems to be wrong.

Here are a few possible side effects of losing oxygen during breath play:

• Disorientation: Restricting oxygen to the brain can cause feelings of disorientation and confusion. 

• Numbness: Oxygen deprivation can also cause numbness or tingling sensation in different parts of the body. 

• Weakness: Breath play can cause muscle fatigue or general weakness that may feel like exhaustion. 

• Drowsiness: A drop in oxygen levels can make people feel lethargic or tired. Following breath play, you may feel an intense need to sleep.  

• Loss of coordination: Reduced oxygen to the brain might temporarily impact your motor skills, causing clumsiness. 

Explore your sexuality safely

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Ethical porn is a thrilling way to mix things up sexually and explore new ways to have fun — with a partner or solo. Quinn's broad range of audio stories and guided masturbation sessions will help you find what feels (and sounds) good, from fetishes and fantasies to role-plays and taboo topics.

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