Researchers from Fujian Normal University conducted a study examining whether repeated episodes of choking during consensual sex are linked to distinct patterns of brain activity and mood in adult women. The investigation focused on how this sexual practice, which some participants report as increasing arousal, relates to neural connections involving emotion, consciousness, and motor control. The study appears in the Journal of Neurotrauma.
Choking during sex has emerged as a behavior that some women, particularly younger adults, report exploring with partners. While some describe heightened arousal and greater sexual enjoyment, others may participate to satisfy their partner’s preferences. The research sought to understand whether these experiences correlate with measurable differences in brain function or mood symptoms, rather than making moral or normative judgments about the behavior itself.
Prior work has indicated potential negative associations when such acts occur frequently. Specifically, some observational studies have found that participants who indicate choking during sex on multiple occasions may report higher levels of depressive symptoms, anxiety, sadness, or loneliness compared with those who do not engage in the practice. The current study adds a neurobiological dimension to these observations by examining brain activity and structure in relation to reported experiences.
In this study, adult female volunteers were recruited and divided into two groups: those who reported choking during consensual sex four or more times in the preceding month and those who reported no experience with choking during sex. All participants underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and were assessed for mood and anxiety symptoms, as well as alcohol use patterns, to explore possible confounding factors.
The imaging results revealed differences in neural activity between the two groups. Those who reported choking more frequently showed altered patterns of synchronization across brain networks, including decreased homogeneity in portions of the left hemisphere and increased synchrony in certain right-hemisphere regions. Additionally, those in the choking group exhibited lower fluctuations in neural activity in the left inferior orbitofrontal gyrus and related areas, alongside higher fluctuations in the right olfactory gyrus. These findings suggest that recurrent choking may be associated with distinctive neural activation patterns across multiple regions involved in emotion, decision making, and sensory processing.
Researchers concluded that there is a potential association between recurrent sexual choking and measurable neurophysiological changes. Two primary conclusions emerged. First, notable differences in neural activation patterns were observed between the two groups. Second, compared with those who had no choking experience, the choking group appeared to show a strengthened connection between parts of the angular gyrus and common brain regions implicated in cognitive processing and perception. The authors emphasize that this study shows correlation, not causation, and calls for further research to determine whether these brain differences are a consequence of the behavior or reflect preexisting neural traits that influence participation in the act.
As with all research of this nature, it remains unclear whether the observed differences are caused by the act of sexual suffocation or whether they reflect underlying predispositions that influence who chooses to engage in it. The study contributes to a broader conversation about how intimate behaviors relate to brain function and mental health, underscoring the need for careful interpretation and continued investigation in diverse populations.