The Fainting Game, also known as the Choking Game, is making a comeback at campuses across the country, according to Tomball Police. The game consists on taking turns suffocating each other, releasing pressure only when the goal -fainting – is achieved.

“Risks include not waking up, long-term health risks and school consequences,” said Officer Thomas, the campus police officer at Tomball Junior High. “The game is dangerous.”

When oxygen supply is restored to the brain, a person experiences a brief euphoric high. Even though students say it’s a good alternative to drug use and even describe it as “fun”, they don’t realize that the prolonged restriction of oxygen to the brain can be just as addictive, and cause the premature death of brain cells.

Addicts repeatedly place themselves in a life-threatening situation, regularly playing for hours, making themselves faint with anything from belts to bicycle chains. It has led to numerous deaths across the country.

The Washington Post reported recently that the game could have led to more than 1,000 deaths over the past 80 years and be gaining in popularity because of social media.