In order to maximize their workout, before hitting the gym, some people choose to take a pre-workout powder. These powders are intended to be mixed with a liquid, such as water. Then you are supposed to drink the liquid.

There’s a TikTok trend where some people have been taking the pre-workout powder without mixing it with a liquid. Instead, they are simply pouring a scoop of the powder directly into their mouth and swallowing it. This is called “dry scooping.”

Be warned. Dry scooping can be very dangerous. One young lady even had a heart attack after dry scooping. Many others have had trouble breathing after ingesting the powder dry. Watch the video below to hear more about the dangers of this dry scooping challenge.

And here’s an example of a woman who stopped breathing after trying the dry scooping challenge.

@bagels4everr♬ original sound – Bagels4lyfe

Caffeine isn’t the only potential problem with ingesting these pre-workout powders dry. Briatney Portillo told BuzzFeed News how dry scooping gave her a heart attack at just 20 years old. She explained, “After I took the pre-workout, I started to feel tingly and itchy all over my body, which wasn’t a good feeling, but I googled it and it said that was a normal side effect. … So I began to do my workout. I started to feel a heavy feeling in my chest and slight pain, but it wasn’t too bad. I thought it was maybe anxiety or a bad panic attack, so I decided to just ignore it and push through my workout.”

Portillo’s chest pain turned into nausea and a feeling of light-headedness. She went home and took a shower, but later, she started sweating so much that she was sweating through her clothes. She added, “Then my chest pain came back and this time it was more intense. The pain went to my back and to my left arm and my left arm went slightly limp, so I knew those were symptoms of a heart attack. I called 911 and the ambulance came.”

Pre-workout powders aren’t regulated by the FDA, so it’s hard to know exactly what you’re taking. According to Dr. Jason Nagata, an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco, pre-workout powders “can be laced with banned substances like stimulants, steroids and other toxic ingredients. Many of these substances can increase risk for heart attacks, liver disease and other serious medical complications.”

Portillo warns others, “Being 20, I would’ve never assumed I’d get a heart attack from pre-workout. I just want people to be careful with what they’re consuming. Just because you see it online, even if it’s ‘fitness influencers’ doing it, doesn’t mean it’s safe. Being young doesn’t mean we’re invincible.”

Have you ever taken pre-workout powder?