Several people have already been burned or even killed after attempting it

A controversial new sex practice has already proven fatal in some cases, prompting medical experts to speak out with warnings about the dangers it poses.

There are countless ways people explore intimacy in the bedroom, but not every method is safe. Some practices can easily cross a line into life-threatening territory.

From choking to jumping into bondage without proper knowledge of safety rules, these kinds of risky behaviors highlight why it is so important to think carefully about whether an activity is safe for everyone involved before trying it out.

One of the more extreme examples of this is Erotic Electrostimulation, better known as electrosex.

This practice involves using specialized machines that send electrical currents to sensitive areas of the body, most often the genitals, to heighten sensation. While marketed as a thrill, it carries significant risks when misused.

Also commonly referred to as “e-stim,” the activity has been linked to injuries and in rare but real cases, death, particularly when people use unsafe methods or unapproved devices.

'Electrosex' is an increasingly popular sex trendPaul Taylor/ /Getty

Dr. Sherry A. Ross, an OBGYN, has been vocal about urging caution. She explained that devices powered by electricity can generate heat that may cause burns, interfere with heart rhythms, or in the worst-case scenario, lead to death.

She emphasized that if anyone is considering it, they should only do so after making sure their partner is in good health, not pregnant, and that the act is carried out in the correct and safest way possible.

Brooke Faught, a nurse practitioner and Clinical Director at the Women’s Institute for Sexual Health, pointed out that the biggest problems usually come when people use makeshift devices not intended for sex.

She explained: "When used in a safe and appropriate manner, these devices are quite safe with minimal potential for harm. The concern lies in the potential for someone to use a device that is not designed for human use. If a person were to receive excessive stimulation, they might experience pain, cramping, and other potential musculoskeletal or neurological consequences."

Although fatalities are not an everyday occurrence, she confirmed that there have been documented cases where electrosex has directly led to deaths, proving the risks are far from hypothetical.

When done incorrectly, electrostimulation can indeed be deadly. One tragic case involved an American man who died in 2008 after electrocuting himself during masturbation.

His wife, Amanda Martin, later found him unresponsive and naked from the waist down with wires still attached to his body.

As stated in the affidavit, she recalled: "I tried to move Paul, but got an electrical shock."

Couples should be wary of trying it without safety measuresOR Images / Getty

That same year, another case in Pennsylvania made headlines when a man faced charges of involuntary manslaughter after his wife died from a homemade electrosex device he rigged up using a hairdryer.

The dangerous contraption caused his 29-year-old wife to suffer a fatal heart attack during use.

The man, 37-year-old Toby Taylor, was taken into custody and held on $100,000 bail while facing charges of involuntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment.

Initially, Taylor claimed his wife had been shocked accidentally by the hairdryer. However, after investigators discovered burns, he admitted that he had clipped wires to her body and plugged the setup into a power strip several times.

York County Coroner Barry Bloss questioned why such a dangerous experiment was attempted at all, saying, as reported by ABC Action News: "Even if you did it before, you have to know you could kill someone."

Experts stress that if people are going to engage in electrostimulation, they should only use equipment specifically manufactured for that purpose. Heidi, CEO of the company Current Pleasures, explained that devices can vary: lower-frequency therapy units often create a stinging sensation, while higher-frequency machines produce muscle contractions.

When carried out correctly, it should not result in visible burns. Using an electro-conductive gel can further reduce risks and make the practice safer.

But above all, professionals are united in stressing one crucial point: never attempt to build your own homemade e-stim device. The risks of serious injury or death are simply too high.