Space Monkey
Dear Doctor,
I am concerned with something called a "space monkey" game during which I understand those doing it black out.
My son has mentioned others playing this game, and we are concerned. It sounds dangerous, and we would like to know how to approach him about it.
Worried Dad
Dear Dad,
I have no desire to frighten you, but there is indeed a phenomenon, actually two of them, involving cutting off the oxygen supply to the brain to produce a kind of "high".
The process varies somewhat, but the notion is to breathe fast and then restrict the blood and oxygen flow to the brain. Sometimes this is by holding the breath, but often it involves ligatures around the neck to restrict the functioning of the arteries supplying blood to the brain.
If the ligatures are poorly arranged, the individual may become unconscious and choke to death. This may also be a part of a sexualized version involving masturbating with ligatures around the neck.
These are tightened at the moments of orgasm resulting in purported increased pleasure. There are about 500 deaths a year from this practice, usually easily identified not only from the ligatures but pornographic material which the young person may have been using for stimulation.
There are risks, very real ones, with all of these practices. The "space monkey" game you mention has taken many lives. I do not know specific numbers but am aware of its existence. There is no substitute for truth and information. If your son has mentioned his fascination with space monkey, give him the details regarding risk and death. It is real.
Unfortunately young people have more denial than they need and assume nothing would ever happen to them. Drive your point home and pay close attention to what he is doing.
This is not an easy world.
Tags: black out, dangerous behavior, oxygen flow, oxygen supply, space monkey
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