Doctors Advise Against Viral Bicep Vein Trick

Doctors have warned that a viral TikTok trick to make your arm veins pop out may be 'highly dangerous'. Basically, it's best that you absolutely don't try this one at home:

The technique was shared on TikTok by someone called Cai (@coldkingcai), who wrote: "Y'all want to see something cool?"

"This isn't even something I realised was possible, but if you squeeze the vein above your bicep, and flick your arm downwards, you can pump your veins full of blood."

In a later comment, he advised: "Don't overdo it tryna practice though or you risk injury."

His video has since racked up 1.6 million likes and a whopping nine million views, prompting many others to give it a go for themselves.

However, some were less impressed and more grossed-out by the technique, with one saying queasily: "I got light headed just watching this."

Another added: "So why is this important to y'all? Why not just work on yourself?"

Experts have warned others about following suit, saying it can be 'highly dangerous'.

Dr. Emeka - who is on TikTok and Instagram - told LADbible: "We need to be very careful about these TikTok trends involving our body parts.

"As harmless as it may seem, clenching, your arm like this could be highly dangerous to your vessels and nerves.

"It can result in muscle loss and damage and also loss of blood flow, which can lead to further medical complications down the line."

According to Australian Men's Health, there are also several other safer ways you can get the 'veins to show on your arms', including having a lower body fat percentage, reducing your sodium intake, increasing your muscle size and - my favourite one of all - simply drinking more water.

Writer Alex Pierotti explains: "While sodium increases water retention, drinking more water actually does the opposite.

"If you get through enough to H20 to help you visit the bathroom regularly, you'll flush out any excess water while retaining important minerals to help with muscle functionality.

"Restricting your water intake to reduce the amount under your skin works but is extremely dangerous. Think Hugh Jackman in Les Misérables."

Featured Image Credit: TikTok/@coldkingcai

Topics: Viral, World News, News, TikTok

Jess Hardiman

Jess is a journalist at LADbible who graduated from Manchester University with a degree in Film Studies, English Language and Linguistics - indecisiveness at its finest, right there. She also works for FOODbible and its sister page Seitanists, which are both a safe haven for her to channel a love for homemade pasta, fennel and everything else in between. You can contact Jess at [email protected].

@Jess_Hardiman