He Took a Banned Stimulant Every Day for a Week — Nearly Landed in the Hospital (Including a Popular Energy Drink Banned in Europe, But Not Here)

Disclaimer: This content is for entertainment and informational purposes only. We do not endorse, recommend, or encourage the use of any banned or unregulated substances. The experiment was conducted by a trained individual under controlled conditions — do not try this yourself.

In an experimental deep dive into the world of banned stimulants, fitness influencer Jesse James West did what most wouldn’t dare — he tested a different prohibited substance every day for seven straight days.

His mission: experience firsthand the physical and mental effects that earned each stimulant its ban.

From mild nootropics to potent pre-workouts, the results were startling, sometimes terrifying, and in a few cases, surprisingly pleasant.

Theobromine: Banned for Racing Animals, Not Humans — Yet

Day one kicked off with theobromine, a primary compound in cocoa that’s banned in animal racing sports like horse and greyhound racing. Jesse ingested a staggering dose equivalent to 520 milligrams of caffeine via straight cocoa powder. Predictably, it tasted awful.

“I’m not gonna lie — I kind of had to stop my set short. My heart rate was getting so high,” Jesse said, gasping for breath mid-workout. His heart rate peaked at 171 BPM, with visible anxiety and dehydration symptoms, including muscle cramps and dry mouth.

Despite providing an impressive muscle pump, theobromine left him physically distressed and emotionally on edge.

Verdict: Should remain banned.

Caffeine: The NCAA’s Surprising Stimulant Ban

Next up was caffeine — yes, your daily brew can get athletes benched. According to NCAA regulations, consuming over 500 mg can cause athletes to fail a drug test.

Jesse developed a high-caffeine Starbucks concoction just over the limit. Unlike with theobromine, his energy was “steady, smooth… no anxiety.” He pushed harder during leg day, achieved more reps, and felt emotionally balanced. “One of the best workouts I’ve had in a while,” he said.

Verdict: Should not be banned.

Nicotine Pouches: A Clouded Mind, No Pump

Day three introduced nicotine. Banned in multiple countries including Canada and Norway, Jesse and his friend reported feeling dizzy, disoriented, and unmotivated. Though users often seek mental stimulation from nicotine, for Jesse, it was the opposite.

“I feel like I’m fighting for my life… can’t concentrate… I just want to leave,” he murmured halfway through his set.

Physiologically, nicotine’s vasoconstrictive qualities restricted blood flow, preventing any meaningful muscle pump — a major downside for gym performance.

Verdict: Should remain banned.

Dynamine: Banned in Australia, Maybe Without Reason

Discovered in exotic tea leaves, dynamine is considered a substitute for illegal pre-workout compounds like DMAA. It’s banned in Australia but widely used elsewhere.

After starting with one capsule, Jesse hardly felt anything. A second dose reportedly brought slight increases in cognition and stamina, but without the explosive edge of earlier doses.

Verdict: Should not be banned.

Spike Energy: Kinetic Energy Without the Crash

With 350 mg of caffeine and 800 mg of beta-alanine, Spike is banned in much of Europe and several Middle Eastern countries. Jesse loved it.

He reported more effective muscle contractions, high dopamine, and a smooth energy curve without palpitations or an energy crash.

“This brought out Jesse James Zest,” he joked, clearly energized yet composed. His heart rate topped out at 168 BPM — significant, but expected given his leg day workout.

Verdict: Should not be banned.

Eria Jarensis Derivative: DMAA’s Legal Cousin?

Labeled as enphenithol dimethylamine citrate, this pre-workout compound is controversial due to its potential classification as a designer stimulant. Banned in competitions, it stirred intense euphoria and surreal mental focus in Jesse.

“This is a game changer,” he announced during an outdoor workout. Unlike other compounds, this didn’t spike his anxiety or heart rate dramatically — peaking at 161 BPM. His average was 132 BPM, and he burned nearly 330 calories in 40 minutes without feeling overstimulated.

Verdict: Should not be banned.

DMAA: Powerful, Pumped, and Risky

Once a popular pre-workout stimulant, DMAA is now banned globally for its severe side effects. Despite starting with a tiny dose, Jesse’s performance skyrocketed. He pushed through higher rep ranges effortlessly and described the pump as “so strong it almost hurts.”

However, the dry mouth and potential overdose risk made it clear: while effective, it’s too easy to miscalculate with DMAA.

Verdict: Should remain banned.

Black Widow Energizer: Ephedra, Euphoria, and Emotional Disassociation

The final level: Black Widow Extreme fat burner, containing ephedra — a substance banned by the FDA since 2004 due to cardiovascular risks.

Jesse initially appeared superhuman, blowing past personal benchmarks with 15 pull-ups and 100-lb dumbbell presses. But his experience quickly darkened.

“Everything’s cloudy. I’m not present. I feel dissociated,” he confessed toward the end, closing the week on a disturbing note.

Verdict: Should remain banned.

The Final Word: What Should Be Banned — and What Shouldn’t

• Banned for good reason: Theobromine, nicotine, DMAA, Black Widow/Ephedra
• Ban maybe misguided: Dynamine, caffeine, Spike energy, Eria jarensis/DMHA analogs

Jesse’s unorthodox experiment offered a raw, real-time glimpse into how different substances impact the human body and mind. While many remain banned for safety reasons, others arguably shouldn’t be — at least based on performance and health outcomes in individuals without underlying conditions.

But as Jesse wisely concluded, “Don’t try this at home… Some things are perfect just the way they are.”