Pippa Corbett answered
If you've ever wondered what it feels like to hang yourself, I can assure you it's one of the more unpleasant ways of dying - it is neither quick, nor pleasant.
What happens when you hang yourself? Death by hanging is actually caused by asphyxia- preventing oxygen from reaching the brain.
Both the carotid arteries and the airways are compressed tightly when someone is hung, and this deprives the brain of oxygen.
Loss of consciousness happens fairly quickly, and is attributed to the constricting of the carotid arteries.
Although you often hear of stories where people's necks or vertebrae break, this is very uncommon unless the person is dropped from a considerable height.
The weight of the person, or the density of muscles in their neck will also affect whether or not the person suffers a neck fracture.
Bruising and other marks are likely, although if the noose used is soft (like a bed sheet) then there might not be any visible damage to the skin.
Finally, pressure on the spinal cord and cerebellum often result in the body suffering involuntary reactions. In fact, 33% of men that are hanged from the neck show signs of partial or full penile erection!
What happens when you hang yourself? Death by hanging is actually caused by asphyxia- preventing oxygen from reaching the brain.
Both the carotid arteries and the airways are compressed tightly when someone is hung, and this deprives the brain of oxygen.
Loss of consciousness happens fairly quickly, and is attributed to the constricting of the carotid arteries.
Although you often hear of stories where people's necks or vertebrae break, this is very uncommon unless the person is dropped from a considerable height.
The weight of the person, or the density of muscles in their neck will also affect whether or not the person suffers a neck fracture.
Bruising and other marks are likely, although if the noose used is soft (like a bed sheet) then there might not be any visible damage to the skin.
Finally, pressure on the spinal cord and cerebellum often result in the body suffering involuntary reactions. In fact, 33% of men that are hanged from the neck show signs of partial or full penile erection!
