Jesse James West decided to spend seven days testing every stimulant available on Temu, the controversial discount shopping platform.
His goal? See if he could still pass a doping test after consuming everything from nicotine patches to suspicious male enhancement pills.
What followed was equal parts entertaining and concerning, as West discovered firsthand why buying performance supplements from ultra-discount retailers might not be the smartest idea.
Spoiler alert: he did pass the test, but the journey there was anything but smooth.
The Jay Cutler Pre-Workout Disaster
West’s experiment began with pre-workout powder and liquid L-carnitine supposedly from bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler.
The savings seemed promising—about $13 on carnitine and $9 on pre-workout compared to legitimate retailers. But the products raised immediate red flags.
This has to be old. That does not look promising. That is clumpy and old. It looks like dipping dots.
To get expert perspective throughout his experiment, West consulted Dr. Mike Israetel, a sports scientist and former professor of exercise and sport science.
When West showed him the suspicious black particles floating in the liquid carnitine, Dr. Israetel’s advice was clear.
I would just completely rule out taking any supplements ever that have visible mold.
Despite the warning, West proceeded with his leg day workout. Initially, he felt surprisingly strong with reduced muscle burn during his sets.
His heart rate climbed to a concerning 167 BPM at its peak, a level that can be dangerous during intense exercise.
