by Jessica Barton
Erotic asphyxiation or breath control play is the intentional restriction of oxygen to the brain for sexual arousal. The sexual practice is variously called asphyxiophilia, autoerotic asphyxia, hypoxyphilia. Colloquially, a person engaging in the activity is sometimes called a “gasper”. The erotic interest in asphyxiation is classified as a paraphilia.
“The carotid arteries (on either side of the neck) carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the brain. When these are compressed, as in strangulation or hanging, the sudden loss of oxygen to the brain and the accumulation of carbon dioxide can increase feelings of giddiness, lightheadness, and pleasure, all of which will heighten masturbatory sensations.”
Author George Shuman describes the effect as such, “When the brain is deprived of oxygen, it induces a lucid, semi-hallucinogenic state called hypoxia. Combined with orgasm, the rush is said to be no less powerful than cocaine, and highly addictive.”
In my last post, I pointed out that although most fetishes are harmless, there are some that are not. One potentially extremely dangerous fetish is Hypoxyphilia, which is known within the BDSM community as “Edge” or “Edge Play”. The stakes are high and the rush is said to be second to none and — as is stated above — is thought to be as addictive as cocaine. Although you hear a fair amount about this type of play in the media today, it is not as commonplace as many fetishes. Nonetheless, it does exist and any pro domme worth her salt will be requested, on occasion, to enact it on a very willing client. First of all, let me say that the days of using the “hangman’s noose” are long gone in the world of formal “Edge Play” and indeed the “use of the noose” is 
frowned upon and is now outlawed. This does not stop the activity taking place, however, and, sadly, many people engage in this form of play alone, which many times ends in tragedy. One of the most famous participants who met his death through engaging in this practice was Michael Hutchence of INXS. Another well-known victim was the actor David Carradine. Most of those who have been unfortunate enough to meet their demise in this manner are found to have orgasmed mostly pre-mortem, although in some cases the climax arrives post-mortem. As is fairly well-known, this phenomenon was also common in the old days in men that were hanged; it was called the hangman’s erection.
There is an easier and safer way to reach a “hypoxic state” than the sudden dramatically foolish act of jumping off a chair with noose around your neck which is practiced in Dungeons around the world. It’s called “breath control” and should only be played in a pro domme dungeon or with a trusted partner after fully researching the risks involved. This practice involves cutting off the breath in small 
amounts so that the oxygen level in the blood falls slowly; this will take time and practice but will result in the desired rush. Normally clingfilm (plastic wrap in American parlance) is wrapped around the head whilst the client is restrained lying flat. As the air runs out inside the clingfilm the client will suck in the clingfilm; after a few seconds the pro domme will pop a breath hole in the film and allow several breaths by the gasper before resealing the hole with more clingfilm. It is good practice to leave one arm free so that the client may remove the clingfilm should the pro domme faint! Safe play in this arena is very important; in fact, the participant’s life depends on it. If overly punctilious pro dommes refuse to engage with these clients, it will often result in them playing alone with the obvious inherent dangers. Controlled breath play is the safest way to achieve the desired semi-hallucinogenic state called “hypoxia”. Squeezing the neck is also somewhat effective in achieving “hypoxia”.
Where does this fetish come from?
Hypoxyphilia is age old like most fetishes, but saw a definite revival after WWII. It is believed that fighter pilots in WWII noticed that when they flew too high and the oxygen got thin, they would often get an erection and the sensation during masturbation was heightened as was orgasm. Ah yes, those magnificent men in their flying machines :-). This is one of the few fetishes that appears not to have it roots in childhood. This fetish is not exclusively male; there are females who engage in “breath play” with the same result, although the fairer sex seems to prefer strangulation during the sexual act, rather than during “edge play” with a seasoned practitioner. The result is the same and the participant experiences the same rush and heightened sensation at orgasm.
Fetish has been with us since time began. It is nothing new and although new fetishes appear with each generation, there are those that seem to survive eternally, and this fetish is one of them. As long as humans have curiosity, fetish-related and bdsm practices will continue to be part of our “culture of pleasure”. The particular fetish I have described here is — as I have stated – one of the rarer ones but it is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating and is usually only engaged in by the bravest of risk takers whose desire for that “cocaine” rush outweighs any risk factor x.
For now.
Jessica Barton xx