Strangling oneself or one another for the sake of achieving a "high" remains a popular activity among kids these days. According to the latest study of the "choking game," which has been around for decades, 6 percent of eighth graders have played the game - and of those who have played the game, 64 percent played more than once, and almost 27 percent of participants have played the game more than 5 times.
The "game" cuts off blood and oxygen to the brain, using a belt, rope, or other item. The result of this risky behavior is a temporary euphoric feeling. The study, published in the April 16 edition of Pediatrics, examined whether playing the game could lead to even more risky behaviors.
Researchers used data from the 2009 Oregon Healthy Teens survey to study the behaviors of more than 5,400 eighth graders. In addition to the choking game, researchers found that participants were more likely to participate in other risky behaviors.
