Synapse Warns Strangulation During Sex Poses Risk of Lifelong Brain Injury

Teenagers kissing

The rise in non-fatal strangulation or choking among teenagers and young adults can cause participants to suffer a lifelong brain injury, warns Synapse, Australia’s brain injury organisation.

“Their brains are still developing, and damage at this critical stage can affect memory, learning, mood, and future mental health,” said Adam Schickerling, Synapse’s CEO.

“A loss of oxygen in as little as 10 seconds can cause lifelong, irreversible, and life-changing injury to your brain,” said Schickerling.

“Just because there are no marks does not mean there is no damage,” said Schickerling. “It shows up as memory problems, trouble concentrating, fatigue, anxiety, personality changes, often weeks later or even longer, when nobody connects it back to what happened.”

Australian research has also indicated that nearly 57% of individuals aged 18-35 reported experiencing strangulation an average of five times, which elevates both the likelihood and severity of brain injury occurrence.

Many young people lack awareness about strangulation practices during sex. Australian research indicates that they often think modulating pressure or intensity, along with consent, trust, and communication, serves as a safety measure to avoid harm.

“There is no safe way to strangle or choke someone,” said Schickerling. “Consent does not offer protection against invisible and lifelong injury to the brain.”

Synapse says there is limited public understanding of the risks of brain injury. Education, early intervention and clear community awareness are key to preventing brain injuries and/or death.

Synapse is calling for greater inclusion of brain injury in key frameworks, such as the National Respectful Relationships Education Framework, and for routine brain injury screening following any disclosure of strangulation.

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