---
title: Safe Alternatives to Choking and Breath Play
date: 2025-08-29T13:28:00-04:00
author: Jonese Austin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/safe-alternatives-to-choking-and-breath-play"
section: Resources
---
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[Health & Sexuality Info](/health-info)# Safe Alternatives to Choking and Breath Play

Sexual choking involves blocking the airways for sexual pleasure. It is also known as breath play, strangulation, and erotic asphyxiation. It has become more common, especially as young people may mimic sexual choking as they see it in porn. But it can have dangerous and even deadly consequences.

In this article, author, sex educator, and activist [Heather Corinna](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/people/heather-corinna-chair) and sexologist and researcher Giselle Woodley discuss the dangers of choking, guidelines for BDSM and kink, and alternatives to choking.

Heather and Giselle emphasize that there is no safe way to engage in breath play. Sexual choking can also be a predictor of intimate partner violence, which can result in homicide. There are alternatives that offer pleasure in similar ways and reduce the risk of harm. These alternatives include role play, other methods of neck stimulation, safe restraint, impact play, and fantasy.

> Recent studies have shown that sexual choking (also known as: breath play, strangulation or erotic⁠ asphyxiation), the act of blocking airways for sexual pleasure, has become more popular recently, especially among young adults⁠. A recent study in Australia found that out⁠ of 4702 individuals 18–35 years old, of all genders, a total of 57% reported being sexually strangled. Another study done in 2021 of 4254 randomly sampled American students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, found that among those with any partnered sexual experience, 43.0% had choked a partner, 47.3% had been choked, that the mean age of first choking/being choked was about 19, and that more undergraduates than graduate students reported first choking/being choked in adolescence.

[Read the full article ](https://www.scarleteen.com/read/sex-sexuality/breathe-risks-realities-safer-choking-breath-play)

SOURCE: Scarleteen • AUTHOR: Heather Corinna and Giselle Woodley • LAST UPDATED: January 8, 2025

![An aquamarine background with vanilla at the top in "Breathe" and roses in different shades of pink in the middle](data:image/png;base64,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) Image provided by Scarleteen

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ sexualities, gender, and relationships](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/sexualities-gender-relationships)
- [ sexual identities & expressions](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/sexual-identities-expressions)
- [ sex education](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/sex-education)
- [ consent & mutuality](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/themes/consent-mutuality)
- [kink](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/kink)
- [sexual activity](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/sexual-activity)
- [sex education](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/sex-education)
- [consent](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/consent)
- [intimate partner violence](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/intimate-partner-violence)
- [pornography and erotica](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/pornography-erotica)

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** 

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[read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us)

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## Sexplanations with Lindsey Doe

A video by Dr. Lindsey Doe, encouraging us to think about our own sexual accelerators and sexual brakes.

![IMG_8330](data:image/png;base64,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)

A video by Dr. Lindsey Doe, encouraging us to think about our own sexual accelerators and sexual brakes.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/sexplanations-with-lindsey-doe)

[ResourcesRead

## What's Sex

This article offers an expansive definition of what “sex” can be, centered on pleasure and individual experience.

![Dainis graveris sex fruit unsplash scaled jpg](data:image/png;base64,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)

This article offers an expansive definition of what “sex” can be, centered on pleasure and individual experience.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/whats-sex)

[ResourcesRead

## How Young Urban Women Experience Menstruation

We share findings from a recent qualitative study that explores how moving from rural areas to cities ends up affecting menstrual health in India.

![Three Indian school girls](data:image/png;base64,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)

We share findings from a recent qualitative study that explores how moving from rural areas to cities ends up affecting menstrual health in India.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/menstruation-urban-india)