The choking thing seems like pretty strong evidence to me! I don't want to sound like a prude, but it is in fact risky to choke people, and it doesn't seem like there's a good alternative explanation for how this kink has become so common.
It's usually not actual choking (also called breath play). Usually just a firm grab by the throat. It's pleasurable for me too and most people don't go further than that. Real choking leaves serious bruising. I only know it being practiced by serious BDSM people and only a small subset at that. And always with full consent and safety.
But my point is, what most people call 'choking' isn't choking but just some mild consensual degradation. Which is very pleasurable to people with submissive tendencies, of which there are a lot more than people realise.
