Well it's a bit more complicated. If it's a blood choke, then what you suggest would be more true; the cells in the brain are not being supplied enough glucose to allow increased glycolysis or enough oxygen to receive the electrons from the ETC, and the TCA cycles are thereby deactivated in favor of a strictly glycolytic (anaerobic) ATP synthesis. This pathway only generates 2 ATP per cycle, whereas the combined amount for the TCA and ETC is 34, so the amount of usable energy in these cells drops much lower than necessary to power their functions. Anaerobic energy production is really only meant for short durations of time for this reason. Thus prolonged oxygen restriction will cause cells to stop functioning (death). This can also lead to bodily restriction of the aerobic ATP pathway, due to the brain's control centers shutting down and ceasing breathing function.
For a strictly trachea choke, it would be the same basic idea, except the entire body is being deprived of oxygen at the same time. However, blood will still be pumping glucose around the body, so the same damage is probably less likely in the same short amount of time. Plus the human body is capable of staying conscious while not breathing for minutes on end, which is impractical in a street fighting scenario. Granted, as you said, the adrenaline factor would probably come into play so holding one's breath while being choked is probably unlikely. But overall, I'd rather sink in a blood choke, put them to sleep in a matter of seconds (if properly applied), release the choke as soon as I know they're out----AVOIDING committing murder----and get away from the situation as fast as possible.
For a strictly trachea choke, it would be the same basic idea, except the entire body is being deprived of oxygen at the same time. However, blood will still be pumping glucose around the body, so the same damage is probably less likely in the same short amount of time. Plus the human body is capable of staying conscious while not breathing for minutes on end, which is impractical in a street fighting scenario. Granted, as you said, the adrenaline factor would probably come into play so holding one's breath while being choked is probably unlikely. But overall, I'd rather sink in a blood choke, put them to sleep in a matter of seconds (if properly applied), release the choke as soon as I know they're out----AVOIDING committing murder----and get away from the situation as fast as possible.
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