Boy dies playing 'passing out game'

[scubabeano]

People do it because like most stuff that's bad for you, it feels good.

 

[kalisphoenix]

I intentionally passed out once in seventh grade, with the direct influence of someone else (ie, I breathed out and got nailed in the chest). I have a very definite, clear memory of seeing myself (hands and feet and such) floating around in pure blackness that stretched out forever, and then the locker room (where this happened) rushed in around me like the endless shelves of weapons in t3h Matrix. I never did it again, though I considered it a very interesting experience worthy of being explored... for me, the variables seemed too much, and I'm not particularly interested in dying when there is so much left to experience. But then, if I was an epileptic I would probably give myself seizures intentionally...

It is funny, though, that the "drug" frenzy whips up immediately. Hey -- guess what! Some people are born wanting to get high. I was. I had a dream when I was about six where I saw fractals and geometric patterns, and when I woke up I almost cried because I realized I couldn't see anything so beautiful in real life -- and I didn't see it again until I dropped LSD about 13 years later. I'd wanted to have a near-death experience ever since I first heard about them, and got my chance with an intramuscular injection of ketamine hydrochloride at 23. Let's not mention the warm sensations of wandering around through Middle-Earth on a nice psilocybin boatride...
Anyway, there are people who are born with an intense curiosity about their environment and their perceptions about that environment or their thought processes, and these people are likely to eat mescal beans or do whatever it takes to get high. This has little to do with whether one has a good old-fashioned upraising with family dinners and corporal punishment. Actually, if anything you'll tend to find the "exploring" mentality most often in children with secure attachments, who by definition are more well-adjusted individuals... when you were a tiny child, what did you do when your mother left the room?

Oh, yeah, and there are also people who do drugs for other reasons, although I can't really fathom what these reasons might be. I knew guys in college who'd get drunk so they could talk to girls easier, or drink heavily and snort a lot of ritalin so that they'd stay up longer, or snort cocaine so they'd have a lot of energy, or smoke pot just because "it made everything funny." I also knew guys who'd get drunk in order to lower their inhibitions and make a tense night more relaxing and productive on an interpersonal level. I also knew guys who'd snort cocaine because it heightened their ability to relate to political philosophy (sounds like a whacked example, but I used to smoke pot with two guys who'd only snort coke when they were discussing Hobbes).

Oops... too far off-topic. Better just start a whole new post now.

 

[kalisphoenix]

Anyway, what I mean to say is that you can't look at the behavior and infer its motive, necessarily. You read this article and there is nothing to suggest that these children were trying to get "high", other than the fact that these children committed suicide before puberty.

 

[rendezvouscp]

Anyway, what I mean to say is that you can't look at the behavior and infer its motive, necessarily. You read this article and there is nothing to suggest that these children were trying to get "high", other than the fact that these children committed suicide before puberty.

That's true. I know I did it because everyone was talking about the dreams you'd have while you were out, but the "high" was just a side effect, not to mention that I felt really refreshed like I had just woken up from a night's sleep.
-Chase

 

[~Shard~]

if I was an epileptic I would probably give myself seizures intentionally...

I'm sure my cousin who has severe epilepsy and is on heavy medication to supress his potentially-fatal seizures would love to trade places with you. Please try being a little more tasteful and appreciative of what you have when it comes to your health.

 

[themacman]

happend to a private school here, very sad.

 

[amin]

When I was in elementary school, I remember doing something analagous to this. I think what we did was exhale maximally, then someone would push on our chest making it hard to breath. There wsa no choking involved. None of us did it to get high. I think we each tried it just to see what it was. I was 10 and definitely felt that getting high was wrong. I remember some kids would pass out though. The very first day we did this, the principal saw us doing it in the playground during recess, yelled at us, and we never did it again. I think that some of you just don't understand the fact that kids aren't born with common sense. Those of us who are parents get it. I feel terrible for the parents of these children. Danger is around every corner when one raises a child.

 

[tlh]

I can't help but be a little offended...

Normally I am a very tolerant person, but this subject is so sensitive to me that I couldn't help but be offended by some of the comments of the children dying from this game, such as 'retarted' or my least favorite "imagine if these children had lived."
I was researching the pass out game, and came across these comments, and couldn't bring myself not to add my own, as I found many of these comments ignorant, insensitive, and brutal.
You see, my 12 year old beautiful brother was found hanging one morning in January, by my now very screwed up mother. Can you imagine finding someone you love like that, with no warning? I bet you can't. While two of the police officers automatically ruled suicide, the third, and the priest, said it definitly looked accidental. My little brothers feet were touching the ground, and he was found hanging by a strong necklace. Rumors of this pass out game, which we had never heard of, circulated. There was no note nor evidence of it being a suicide.
If you had been through such a traumatic event, you would change the way you viewed these 'stupid children' drastically.
I must say, and let me relate this to you in terms that you can understand....how many adults, yourself included, drive after having quite a few drinks, although you know its life threatening? Far to many. I guess you could most likely call yourself 'stupid, retarted' and if you died "I couldn't imagine what you would of turned out like had you lived." This is just one example of many.
For your information, children are not adults. They do not process information as we do, and are far less expierenced, educated, and alot more ignorant. Thats why there are parents, meant to teach, guide, and steer young children away from trouble. You must not be used to young children, otherwise you would not label these children as 'retarted'. My brother was exceptionally intelligent.
I do not really mean to respond in anger, as some of the comments were well informed, but many others very ignorant and insensitive. Please be more careful about the words you choose, they do hurt.
Since my little brother can no longer defend himself, I will do it for him.

 

[Doctor Q]

What happened to your brother is simply awful, tlh, and you have my sympathies. No doubt everyone in your family has been deeply affected, not just your mother. What a terrible shame.

Teens and pre-teens (and plenty of young adults) think they are invincible. I think it is normal human behavior while growing up to think of mortality as something that others worry about, because parents (if they are doing their job) protect you when you are very young, so you don't think of yourself as being vulnerable until you become more world aware and learn to separate from your parents. That's probably as it should be, since youngsters couldn't really deal with all the dangers in the world, nor cope with the responsibility. Unfortunately, tragedies like this can be the result.

It's easy to talk about other people's problems in a flippant way when you don't know them personally, and because forum members are not face to face. Thanks for giving us your first-person account. We needed to hear it. Perhaps you can do some good for others by relating your family's experience, and I hope it helps you deal with it too.

 

[kalisphoenix]

I'm sure my cousin who has severe epilepsy and is on heavy medication to supress his potentially-fatal seizures would love to trade places with you. Please try being a little more tasteful and appreciative of what you have when it comes to your health.

If he has problems that serious with his health, then I feel sorry for him, but it doesn't change the fact that if I had TLE (granted, we'll assume that it's not potentially fatal), I'd probably intentionally induce seizures -- I should also note that this is not an uncommon occurrence. Some TL epileptics refer to their condition as "temporal lobe ecstasy"....

 

[~Shard~]

If he has problems that serious with his health, then I feel sorry for him, but it doesn't change the fact that if I had TLE (granted, we'll assume that it's not potentially fatal), I'd probably intentionally induce seizures -- I should also note that this is not an uncommon occurrence. Some TL epileptics refer to their condition as "temporal lobe ecstasy"....

All I'm saying is try to be more respectful and sensitive towards those who do have epilepsy. I am sure that my cousin is not alone in that if he could choose, he would choose a normal, healthy life as opposed to having seizures. Many epileptics would gladly trade their lives with you if you were more than willing to have these seizures instead of them. And I realize you're not saying you WANT to have this condition, only that if you DID, then you would take these actions, but nonetheless, it is still a bit of a slap in the face to the people inflicted by these ailments to imply that these seizures are almost "desirable" and that you're almost envious of them. Be fortunate for what you have, many people do not have the choice.

With regards to this whole topic (not directed at you) I don't understand how some people can take their health for granted. Kids, sure, they don't know any better in some cases - that's where you need good parents. But as for adults themselves, they have no excuses. They have perfectly healthy minds and bodies, yet abuse them and destroy them in some cases. The mind is probably the most important asset a person has, yet some people take drugs and cause irreparable damage to their brain. I find it hard to respect people who don't even respect their own health and themselves.

 

[wdlove]

Yes, good health is something to honor. Sadly most don't realize how important good health is until its lost. Have seen a lot of misery in my career asa nurse. Many ponder on the fact that one should enjoy good health.

I just thought of another take on the passing out game. I attended nurse flight school in the Air Force Reserve. That taught us to recognize the loss of oxygen to the brain. This game and sniffing causes the same problem. They wanted us to know what it feels like so that we would recognize the problem and take corrective actions during a flight. We were in a sealed chamber as a group. Had us put on oxygen masks and they removed all the oxygen in the air. It was for us to observe others also. You could see the loss of oxygen and turning blue. It causes a feeling of euphoria. That was at the point that they wanted our mask on. Some of our members needed assistance to put the mask on again. Very scary to lack oxygen.

 

[WillMak]

Well pot can't kill you, or cause brain damage at all, so yes.

Pot can't cause brain damage? are you sure about that?

 

[~Shard~]

Pot can't cause brain damage? are you sure about that?

I chuckled when I read that comment as well. Yeah, and alcohol can't cause liver damage...

All drugs of this nature affect the brain in a negative capacity, regardless of any side effects which are incorrectly perceived as "beneficial". Anyone who believes otherwise is simply fooling themselves. But, we're somewhat straying off topic here, this is probably best left for another discussion in another thread....

 

[wdlove]

Pot can't cause brain damage? are you sure about that?

Here is a list of drugs and a detailed explanation of the effects on the brain.

It goes along with humans wanting to alter their reality rather depriving of oxygen or drugs.

http://www.nationalfamilies.org/brain/

 

[~Shard~]

Here is a list of drugs and a detailed explanation of the effects on the brain.

http://www.nationalfamilies.org/brain/

Thanks fore the link wdlove, I appreciate information like this especially from people in your profession. I believe in some respects you can speak to these issues better than others due to your knowledge, education and experience.

It goes along with humans wanting to alter their reality rather depriving of oxygen or drugs.

And what a truly sad thing that is. I embrace life, live it to its fullest, and take in as much as I can - as a result, I experience natural highs all the time, and have no desire to harm my brain to experience artificial highs. If those people had a true appreciation for life and what "reality" really is, they would have no need to alter it in the first place. I feel sorry for people who need to resort to drugs.

But here I am going against what I just said in my last post - topics for other conversations. I'll try to get back on the topic at hand, which deals with a child who unfortunately lacked a lot of guidance.

 

[AP_piano295]

It obvious whos to blame for this, violent videogames and movies
duhhhhhhhhh

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

Normally I am a very tolerant person, but this subject is so sensitive to me that I couldn't help but be offended by some of the comments of the children dying from this game, such as 'retarted' or my least favorite "imagine if these children had lived."
I was researching the pass out game, and came across these comments, and couldn't bring myself not to add my own, as I found many of these comments ignorant, insensitive, and brutal.
You see, my 12 year old beautiful brother was found hanging one morning in January, by my now very screwed up mother. Can you imagine finding someone you love like that, with no warning? I bet you can't. While two of the police officers automatically ruled suicide, the third, and the priest, said it definitly looked accidental. My little brothers feet were touching the ground, and he was found hanging by a strong necklace. Rumors of this pass out game, which we had never heard of, circulated. There was no note nor evidence of it being a suicide.
If you had been through such a traumatic event, you would change the way you viewed these 'stupid children' drastically.
I must say, and let me relate this to you in terms that you can understand....how many adults, yourself included, drive after having quite a few drinks, although you know its life threatening? Far to many. I guess you could most likely call yourself 'stupid, retarted' and if you died "I couldn't imagine what you would of turned out like had you lived." This is just one example of many.
For your information, children are not adults. They do not process information as we do, and are far less expierenced, educated, and alot more ignorant. Thats why there are parents, meant to teach, guide, and steer young children away from trouble. You must not be used to young children, otherwise you would not label these children as 'retarted'. My brother was exceptionally intelligent.
I do not really mean to respond in anger, as some of the comments were well informed, but many others very ignorant and insensitive. Please be more careful about the words you choose, they do hurt.
Since my little brother can no longer defend himself, I will do it for him.

My sincerest sympathies to you and your family over a young persons life being cut short by what ever means.

I will take it that your brother was lost to "huffing" and not "auto-erotica". In either case, the loved ones - and in most cases it is the loved ones - are victims by fact of the "discovery".

The comments about a wasted life IMO are meant more in a more positive way. Being Gay, I have lost friend to auto-erotica and AIDS. I morn their loss on a personal basis and in society basis.

The use of "retard" is based on the present point of view of the writer. As we grow older we start to realize just how short life is, that we will not live for ever.

To be fair though, "children" of today are much wiser or "worldly" than I was (I am 47) at the same age. And that leads to danger. Wish there were a simple answer in order to prevent what happened to your brother from happening to others. All it takes is the "seed" of knowledge for people to act on bad information.

There is only so much that parents can do to protect their children today. Take away their computer, or log every website they visit is one. Only allow them to visit friends at your own home is another. Demand that schools and libraries have no internet access is another.

To provide some perspective here. I lost a good friend to auto-erotica. The family insisted that it be labeled suicide. So I do know the pain you and your family feel.

I see where you are coming from though. If your brother or these other kids had died doing crack or other drugs, they would not wear the label of being "retarded"; though they took risks in order to get a "high".

Again with my "many" years of life experiences behind me (for the life of me, I can not understand anyone having unprotected sex today), I do offer my thoughts and prayers to you and everyone that your brother touched. Try to find comfort in that in your sharing, some one might learn from your loss.

 

[wPod]

It obvious whos to blame for this, violent videogames and movies
duhhhhhhhhh

well, i was going to take the argument that it was the parents' fault for not being there for the kids!!! but then kalisphoenix made a very interesting argument. . .

Some people are born wanting to get high.

which suddenly dawned on me as a somewhat legitimate explination. i doubt a kid, especially 12 or so thinks to themsleves "hey, i want to get high" but more along the lines of "wow if i <fill in the blank> then it feels good and i like it" some people like different things. i might fill in the blank with "ride my bike" while someone else might say "play the pass out game"

the true follow up question then becomes: what gives the predisposition to people? and no, dont turn around and say video games. because if you do then ill just ask what makes kids play video games?

 

[Chip NoVaMac]

All I'm saying is try to be more respectful and sensitive towards those who do have epilepsy. I am sure that my cousin is not alone in that if he could choose, he would choose a normal, healthy life as opposed to having seizures. Many epileptics would gladly trade their lives with you if you were more than willing to have these seizures instead of them. And I realize you're not saying you WANT to have this condition, only that if you DID, then you would take these actions, but nonetheless, it is still a bit of a slap in the face to the people inflicted by these ailments to imply that these seizures are almost "desirable" and that you're almost envious of them. Be fortunate for what you have, many people do not have the choice.

With regards to this whole topic (not directed at you) I don't understand how some people can take their health for granted. Kids, sure, they don't know any better in some cases - that's where you need good parents. But as for adults themselves, they have no excuses. They have perfectly healthy minds and bodies, yet abuse them and destroy them in some cases. The mind is probably the most important asset a person has, yet some people take drugs and cause irreparable damage to their brain. I find it hard to respect people who don't even respect their own health and themselves.

I think the issue is one of political correctness run amuck. For we are willing to forgive some, and not others.We fail to realize that the youths that are seeking a "high" with this "game" are lacking something in their own lives and from their families.

Keep in mind that we seem to feel that we can live forever. That something will correct the bad ways of our past lives. Look at liposuction and other cosmetic surgery.

Yes, good health is something to honor. Sadly most don't realize how important good health is until its lost. Have seen a lot of misery in my career asa nurse. Many ponder on the fact that one should enjoy good health.

I just thought of another take on the passing out game. I attended nurse flight school in the Air Force Reserve. That taught us to recognize the loss of oxygen to the brain. This game and sniffing causes the same problem. They wanted us to know what it feels like so that we would recognize the problem and take corrective actions during a flight. We were in a sealed chamber as a group. Had us put on oxygen masks and they removed all the oxygen in the air. It was for us to observe others also. You could see the loss of oxygen and turning blue. It causes a feeling of euphoria. That was at the point that they wanted our mask on. Some of our members needed assistance to put the mask on again. Very scary to lack oxygen.

That would be an interesting study - those that participated in such a training and down the road committed suicide by suffocation....

Here is a list of drugs and a detailed explanation of the effects on the brain.

It goes along with humans wanting to alter their reality rather depriving of oxygen or drugs.

http://www.nationalfamilies.org/brain/

Not to discount the information on this site, you have similar links from the AMA, NIH, or even the FDA? Not to say that I trust the government more, but there can be less bias from than links from "non-profits".

 

[kalisphoenix]

All I'm saying is try to be more respectful and sensitive towards those who do have epilepsy.

By lying?

All drugs of this nature affect the brain in a negative capacity, regardless of any side effects which are incorrectly perceived as "beneficial". Anyone who believes otherwise is simply fooling themselves. But, we're somewhat straying off topic here, this is probably best left for another discussion in another thread....

You wanna see some nasty **** that'll @#$% up your brain? Look at glutamate Absolutely annihilates your neurons. And that's in your brain!

Personally, I stay away from harmful chemicals. I don't smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, drink coffee/tea, eat cane sugar, drink cow milk, eat red meat, or any of that other poisonous crap. That stuff's horrible! Red meat is a leading cause of intestinal cancer.

It goes along with humans wanting to alter their reality rather depriving of oxygen or drugs.

http://www.nationalfamilies.org/brain/

Pot? Pot's @#$%ing harmless. All the NFIA's website could say is that heavy use messes you up. Well, no ****! Heavy use of anything messes you up. All it could say about LSD is that some users experience flashbacks, without mentioning that the incidence for unpleasant flashbacks in LSD users is lower than the occurence of unpleasant flashbacks in the population as a whole. And maybe it's my drug-addled mind and all these damn tracers affecting my vision, but I can't find any mention at all on that site of psilocybin mushrooms, one of the most popular illicit entheogens in our society.

Putting marijuana in the same category as cocaine or heroin or crystal meth is like putting milk in the same category as Everclear. Seriously -- just because they share some extremely superficial characteristics is no reason to assume that they are equal in effect or equally deserving of prohibition.

And what a truly sad thing that is. I embrace life, live it to its fullest, and take in as much as I can - as a result, I experience natural highs all the time, and have no desire to harm my brain to experience artificial highs. If those people had a true appreciation for life and what "reality" really is, they would have no need to alter it in the first place. I feel sorry for people who need to resort to drugs.

Neither you nor any other "straight-edger" have any comprehension whatsoever of "artificial highs." I find it amusing that, in the movies, I see people in Alcoholics Anonymous talking about "natural highs." But are you aware of the success rate of alcoholics attempting to reform by going to AA? About five percent. What is the success rate among those using LSD? About half. Kinda funny when God and support groups have one-tenth the effect of 100 micrograms of a synthesized alkaloid. Maybe there's more to the "artificial high" thing than you think, eh?
http://www.maps.org/media/nyt022204.html

"One of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous [Bill Wilson] described to me the transcendental experience he credits with giving him control over his compulsive drinking. Years later he took LSD five or six times. This, he said, reinstated his original ecstasy, and consequently he wishes that LSD were more available to alcoholics."
-Walter Houston Clark. Chemical Ecstasy: Psychedelic Drugs and Religion, page 101. Sheed & Ward, New York. 1969.

Gee... it's so horrible to think of all the lives ripped apart by a lack of LSD

 

[~Shard~]

By lying?

Um, no, no one ever asked you to lie. Just use a little thing called tact, that's all. It's all about being considerate.

You wanna see some nasty **** that'll @#$% up your brain? Look at glutamate Absolutely annihilates your neurons. And that's in your brain!

Yes, you are correct. Actually, oxygen is technically poisonous to humans as well, yet we need it to live.

Personally, I stay away from harmful chemicals. I don't smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, drink coffee/tea, eat cane sugar, drink cow milk, eat red meat, or any of that other poisonous crap. That stuff's horrible! Red meat is a leading cause of intestinal cancer.

Good for you, I wish more people were as health conscious as you are. I treat myself from time to time, as I believe everything in moderation (and as I eluded to above, essentially everything is poisonous for us anyway), but yes, I don't smoke, I have a glass of red wine maybe once a week (if that), I don't drink coffee, I have as little sugar as possible, and only eat fresh "real" meat from the butcher's shop, not anything processed or injected with steroids, growth hormones and who knows what else. As I said, everything in moderation, with some obvious exceptions - I will never eat fast food (there's another great MacRumors thread on that topic), or poison my brain with "street drugs" (or whatever you want to call them). Otherwise, I've been known to enjoy a nice bowl of ice cream from time to time.

Pot? Pot's @#$%ing harmless. All the NFIA's website could say is that heavy use messes you up. Well, no ****! Heavy use of anything messes you up.

<snip>

Putting marijuana in the same category as cocaine or heroin or crystal meth is like putting milk in the same category as Everclear. Seriously -- just because they share some extremely superficial characteristics is no reason to assume that they are equal in effect or equally deserving of prohibition.

I definitely wouldn't call pot harmless, but I agree that it shouldn't be classified in the same league as heroin or cocaine. But, as you say, many things are harmful to us, especially in excessive dosages - heck, water is harmful to human in excessive doses. Nonetheless, I just don't like the idea of adversely affecting my brain with something like pot or any other drug of that nature - I value my mental health far too much. To each his own though.

People saying that pot is harmless reminds me of people back in the 50's saying that smoking cigarettes were harmless before they knew any better. In fact, they even went so far as to say that cigarette smoking was healthy for you!

Neither you nor any other "straight-edger" have any comprehension whatsoever of "artificial highs."

Nope, nor do I have any desire to. Your point being?

Oh, and if a "straight-edger" is the same as a person who respects and cares about their mind, body, health and well-being then yes, I guess that would be an accurate label to use. But, as I say, everything in moderation - awareness and balance is the key.

As I said, if people feel the need to resort to drugs to experience these "artificial highs", that's really too bad - there's so much to experience in life that gives you natural highs which isn't detrimental to your health and well-being. But, as I said, to each his own.

Thanks for the discussion, I appreciate it.