Choking During Sex for Brain Function
Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)
Age: 18 - 65
Sex: Female
Travel: May Be Covered
Time Reimbursement: Varies
Trial Phase: Academic
Recruiting
Sponsor: Indiana University
Must not be taking: Antipsychotics
Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, TBI, Concussion, Neurological, others
No Placebo Group
Trial Summary
What is the purpose of this trial?The purpose of this study is to examine the acute effect of being choked during partnered sex on neurological measures. The study is designed to identify the effects being choked during partnered sex on the brain through the use of neural-injury blood biomarkers, functional, diffusion, and perfusion MRI, and ocular-motor function across 3 time points (baseline, post-choking, post-non-choking). The central hypothesis is that acute neuronal structural, physiological, and functional alterations will be amplified after an incidence of choking-involved sex. The neural-injury blood biomarkers neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), Ubiquitin C-Terminal Hydrolase L1 (UCH-L1), and Tau will be measured in plasma, with the hypothesis that having choking involved sex will result in a increased heightened response compared to baseline and post non-choking involved sex timepoints. An additional panel of inflammatory cytokines may be considered if/when brain injury biomarkers show changes. It is also hypothesized that engaging in choking-involved sex will be associated with changes in fMRI activation patterns. White matter microstructure will be measured by diffusion imaging metrics, with the hypothesis that engaging in choking-involved sex will significantly disrupt microstructure at a post-choking involved sex time point, compared to baseline, but not at the post non-choking involved sex timepoint. The study will also assess oculomotor function as measured by near-point-of-convergence (NPC) in response to engaging in choking involved sex. The hypothesis is that NPC performance will be significantly impaired at the post choking-involved sex timepoint in comparison to both baseline and non-choking involved sex timepoints.
Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?
The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are currently taking antipsychotic medication.
What data supports the idea that Choking During Sex for Brain Function is an effective treatment?
The available research does not provide evidence that choking during sex is an effective treatment for brain function. Instead, studies focus on the prevalence and neurological effects of this behavior. For example, one study found different brain activation patterns in women who frequently experienced choking during sex, but it did not show improved brain function. Another study noted changes in brain connectivity, but again, it did not demonstrate any therapeutic benefits. Overall, the research highlights potential neurological changes but does not support the idea of choking during sex as an effective treatment.
12345What safety data exists for choking during sex as a treatment?
The existing research on choking during sex primarily focuses on its neurological and physiological effects rather than safety data. Studies have shown that frequent sexual choking is associated with different neural activation patterns and structural brain changes, such as inter-hemispheric imbalance and hyperconnectivity in certain brain regions. Additionally, surveys indicate that while many participants report pleasurable sensations, some experience negative physical responses like neck bruising and loss of consciousness. There is a lack of comprehensive safety data, and further investigation into the neurologic and health effects of this behavior is warranted.
12345Eligibility Criteria
This trial is for individuals who engage in partnered sexual activity, both with and without the practice of choking. Participants must be healthy enough to undergo MRI scans and blood tests. Those with conditions affecting brain function or injury risk, such as a history of brain hypoxia or respiratory issues, may not qualify.Inclusion Criteria
I am female.
Proficient in English
I am between 18 and 30 years old.
+1 more
Exclusion Criteria
I have only engaged in sexual activities involving choking in the past month.
Traumatic brain injury within past year
I have a neurological condition like epilepsy or a brain tumor.
+4 more
Trial Timeline
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
1-2 weeks
1 visit (in-person)
Baseline Data Collection
Baseline data collection including blood biomarkers, MRI, and ocular-motor function assessments
2 hours
1 visit (in-person)
Post Choking-Involved Sex Data Collection
Data collection including blood biomarkers, MRI, and ocular-motor function assessments within 24 hours after engaging in choking-involved sex
2 hours
1 visit (in-person)
Post Non-Choking-Involved Sex Data Collection
Data collection including blood biomarkers, MRI, and ocular-motor function assessments within 24 hours after engaging in non-choking-involved sex
2 hours
1 visit (in-person)
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for any delayed effects or safety concerns after the main data collection phases
4 weeks
1 visit (in-person)
Participant Groups
The study investigates how being choked during sex affects the brain by comparing it to non-choking sexual activity. It measures changes in blood biomarkers for neural injury, brain imaging results from MRIs, and eye movement functions before and after each type of sexual encounter.
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Path 2 (non-choking involved sex prior to choking involved sex)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Path 2 will involve 3 data collection time points including baseline data collection, post non-choking involved sex time point, and post choking involved sex time point, in that order. After enrollment, subjects will be sent a brief Qualtrics survey link once a day to determine when they are eligible for data collection based on their sexual activity within the last 24 hours. Subjects placed in the group following Path 2 will first come in for a baseline data collection which will occur after a 48 hour washout period of not engaging in partnered sex. Next, subjects will be asked to come in for an experimental data collection visit within the 24 hours after engaging in sex that did not involve any choking. Last, subjects will be asked to come in for an experimental data collection visit within 24 hours of engaging in choking involved sex.
Group II: Path 1 (choking involved sex prior to non-choking involved sex)Experimental Treatment2 Interventions
Path 1 will involve 3 data collection time points including baseline data collection, post choking involved sex data collection time point, and post non-choking involved sex time point, in that order. After enrollment, subjects will be sent a brief Qualtrics survey link once a day to determine when they are eligible for data collection based on their sexual activity within the last 24 hours. Subjects placed in the group following Path 1 will first come in for a baseline data collection which will occur after a 48 hour washout period of not engaging in partnered sex. Next, subjects will be asked to come in for an experimental data collection visit within the 24 hours post engaging in choking involved sex. Last, subjects will be asked to come in for an experimental data collection visit within 24 hours of engaging in sex that did not involve any choking.
Find a Clinic Near You
Research Locations NearbySelect from list below to view details:
Indiana University School of Public HealthBloomington, IN
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Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
Indiana UniversityLead Sponsor
References
Lethal asphyxiation due to sadomasochistic sex training - How some sex partners avoid criminal responsibility even though their actions lead to someone's death. [2018]Erotic asphyxiation is a sexual phenomenon in which one partner reduces the other person's brain oxygen level through strangulation. This study analyzes deaths caused by sexually-motivated strangulation to cases of homicidal choking - summarizing criminal penalties for defendants, depending on the presence of drugs, or alcohol intoxication.
Frequent and Recent Non-fatal Strangulation/Choking During Sex and Its Association With fMRI Activation During Working Memory Tasks. [2022]Being strangled, or "choked," by a sexual partner has emerged as a prevalent, often wanted and consensual sexual behavior among adolescent and young adult women, yet the neurological consequences of repeated exposure to this behavior are unknown. The objective of the study was to examine the association between a history of repeated, recent choking/strangling episodes during sex and fMRI activation during working memory tasks in young adult women. This case-control study involved young adult women (18-30 years old) at a large, public university, and consisted of two study groups: a choking group consisting of participants who were recently and frequently choked/strangled during sex by a partner (≥4 times in the past 30 days) and a choking-naïve (control) group who had never been choked/strangled during sex. Participants completed two variations of the N-back (0-back, 1-back, and 2-back) working memory task during functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI): verbal and visual N-back tasks. Data from 20 participants per group were available for analysis. Between-group differences for accuracy and reaction time were not significant for either variation of the N-back task. Significant differences in fMRI activation patterns were detected between the choking and the choking-naïve groups for the three contrasts of interest (1-back > 0-back, 2-back > 0-back, and 2-back > 1-back). The choking group exhibited increased activation in multiple clusters relative to the choking-naïve group for the contrasts between the 1-back and 2-back conditions compared to the 0-back conditions (e.g., superior frontal gyrus, corpus callosum). However, the choking-naïve group exhibited increased activation relative to the choking group in several clusters for the 2-back > 1 back contrast (e.g., splenium, middle frontal gyrus). These data indicate that recent, frequent exposure to partnered sexual strangulation is associated with different neural activation patterns during verbal and visual working memory tasks compared to controls, suggesting that being choked/strangled during sex may modify the allocation of neural resources at increasing levels of cognitive load. Further investigation into the neurologic effects of this sexual behavior is warranted, given the prevalence of sexual choking among adolescent and young adult women.
Structural brain morphology in young adult women who have been choked/strangled during sex: A whole-brain surface morphometry study. [2023]Being choked/strangled during partnered sex is an emerging sexual behavior, particularly prevalent among young adult women. Using a multiparameter morphometric imaging approach, we aimed to characterize neuroanatomical differences between young adult women (18-30 years old) who were exposed to frequent sexual choking and their choking naïve controls.
Association of Frequent Sexual Choking/Strangulation With Neurophysiological Responses: A Pilot Resting-State fMRI Study. [2023]Being choked or strangled during partnered sex is an emerging sexual behavior, prevalent among young adult women. The goal of this study was to test whether, and to what extent, frequently being choked or strangled during sex is associated with cortical surface functioning and functional connectivity. This case-control study consisted of two groups (choking vs. choking-naïve). Women who were choked 4 or more times during sex in the past 30 days were enrolled into the choking group, whereas those without were assigned to the choking-naïve group. We collected structural and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data and analyzed the data for amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) and regional homogeneity (ReHo) using cortical surface-based resting-state fMRI analysis, followed by static and dynamic resting-state fMRI connectivity analysis. Forty-one participants (choking n = 20; choking-n-aïve n = 21) contributed to the analysis. An inter-hemispheric imbalance in neuronal activation pattern was observed in the choking group. Specifically, we observed significantly lower ALFF and ReHo in the left cortical regions (e.g., angular gyrus, orbitofrontal gyrus) and higher ALFF and ReHo in the right cortical regions (e.g., pre-central/post-central gyri) in the choking group compared with the choking-naïve group. A significant group difference was found in static functional connectivity between the bilateral angular gyrus and the whole brain, in which the choking group's angular gyrus showed hyperconnectivity with, for example, the post-central gyrus, pre-central gyrus, and Rolandic operculum, relative to the choking-naïve group. The dynamic analysis revealed hyperconnectivity between the left angular gyrus and the bilateral postcentral gyrus in the choking group compared with the choking-naïve group. Taken together, our data show that multiple experiences of sexual choking/strangulation are associated with an inter-hemispheric imbalance in neural activation pattern and hyperconnectivity between the angular gyrus and brain regions related to motor control, consciousness, and emotion. A longitudinal study using multi-modal neurological assessments is needed to clarify the acute and chronic consequences of sexual choking/strangulation.
Frequency, Method, Intensity, and Health Sequelae of Sexual Choking Among U.S. Undergraduate and Graduate Students. [2023]Although sexual choking is now prevalent, little is known about how people engage in choking in terms of frequency, intensity, method, or potential health sequelae. In a campus-representative survey of undergraduate and graduate students, we aimed to: (1) describe the prevalence of ever having choked/been choked as part of sex; (2) examine the characteristics of choking one's sexual partners (e.g., age at first experience, number of partners, frequency, intensity, method); (3) examine the characteristics of having been choked during sex; and (4) assess immediate responses of having been choked including the extent to which frequency and method (e.g., hand, ligature, limb) of having been choked predicts the range of responses endorsed by participants. A total of 4254 randomly sampled students (2668 undergraduate, 1576 graduate) completed a confidential online survey during Spring 2021. The mean age of first choking/being choked was about 19, with more undergraduates than graduate students reporting first choking/being choked in adolescence. Women and transgender/gender non-binary participants were significantly more likely to have been choked than men. Participants more often reported the use of hands compared to limbs or ligature. Common responses to being choked were pleasurable sensations/euphoria (81.7%), a head rush (43.8%), feeling like they could not breathe (43.0%), difficulty swallowing (38.9%), unable to speak (37.6%), and watery eyes (37.2%). About 15% had noticed neck bruising and 3% had lost consciousness from being choked. Greater frequency and intensity of being choked was associated with reports of more physical responses as was use of limb (arm, leg) or ligature.