The Dangerous Pursuit of Extreme Pleasure

What I discovered about the new sexual trend made me rethink everything

Mary Carter
5 min readDec 9, 2024

--

Photo by Victoria Strelka_ph pexel

Sometimes pleasure comes at too high a price. The latest data on sexual practices among young adults reveals a disturbing trend that urgently needs attention. According to a recent study, one in three young women has experienced erotic asphyxiation during sex.

We’re not talking about an innocent game. The pursuit of more intense sensations is leading an entire generation to normalize potentially lethal practices. What frightens me most isn’t just the numbers — it’s the justifications, the lack of information, and the social pressure that’s transforming dangerous acts into “normal experiences.”

Dr. Debby Herbenick, an authority on sexual health, presents a clear warning: “There is no zero-risk way to engage in choking.” This isn’t a moralistic opinion — it’s a medical reality.

Between 250 and 1,000 Americans die annually from autoerotic asphyxiation practices. Each number represents a life, a family, a story that ended prematurely.

What disturbs me most is realizing how this practice has become almost a rite of passage among young people. A silent pressure that no one admits to, but everyone feels. The numbers are revealing: while only 7% of men report

--

--

Responses (4)