The “Choking Game” in the Czech Republic: An invisible phenomenon?

Abstract

Aim: The “choking game” (CG) is an activity in which self-strangulation, strangulation by others, or hyperventilation followed by applied pressure to the neck or chest is used in order to restrict oxygen flow to the brain and induce a brief euphoric state. Typically, the CG is engaged in by adolescents; it can cause serious injury and even death. The aim was to ascertain whether there are any scholarly publications on the CG in the Czech Republic (CR) and whether Czech adolescents engage in the CG, based on a search of sources available online. Methods: Nine online databases/search engines were accessed to identify scholarly publications on the CG in the CR, using English and Czech key words as well as the slang word “holotrop”. Next, a Google and YouTube search was conducted to identify non-scholarly sources. The obtained sources were systematized for qualitative analysis. Results: Seven Czech scholarly publications have mentioned “self-strangulation”, a practice sometimes used to cope with distressing emotions. Three books have described “holotropic states” (and/or “holotropic breath work”), which are concepts and activities not identical to the CG. The Google and YouTube search identified a plethora of Czech blogs and videos on “holotrop”, i.e. the CG. The CG has been practiced in various settings; the motives include entertainment, peer pressure, curiosity, and a desire to overcome boredom. The bloggers have experienced or observed diverse CG effects; their opinions on the activity vary. Conclusions: We hypothesize that because young Czechs use slang (“holotrop”) when discussing the activity, the magnitude of the problem in the CR has remained unrecognized. Research is urgently needed to examine this phenomenon. Czech nurses should be involved in this process.