Dark Energy Pre-Workout Review: Is It Banned Or Not!

What Is Dark Energy Pre-Workout?

To put it simply, Dark Energy is, or better yet was, a pre-workout supplement that promised to increase your energy levels, improve your focus, and help you push through even the most grueling workouts. And, well, it did deliver on that promise.

Later on, this Dark Energy product was rebranded as "not a dietary supplement," but a "research product not meant for human consumption," which is how it got back on the shelves.

However, shortly after the rebrand, the product was discontinued.

What made Dark Energy Pre-Workouts temporarily banned and ultra-potent was the abundance of very powerful stimulants, including the amphetamine derivative known as DMAA - a substance banned by the FDA and often linked with adverse health effects.

But, to the Magnitude Life Sciences' (the company that produced Dark Energy) credit, if you wanted to get your blood pumping, skin tingling, and experience a drive to bend barbells and devour heavy weights - these pre-workouts did the trick.

But then again, there are other white powders that could do the same but are also not worth taking.

Is Taking Dark Energy Pre-Workout Safe? (My Experience)

I consider myself very tolerant of stimulants, and I've tried most of the hardcore pre-workouts on the market - just for the sake of it. But, it goes without saying Dark Energy had me buzzing!

I have never, and I would never, never recommend this product to anyone. If there's anything to take away from this Dark Energy Pre-Workout review, it's that.

Not only was Dark Energy formula potent as all hell, but also because it was quite possibly one of the most dangerous pre-workout supplements on the market.[1]

And, if I'm being completely honest, I was never a fan of DMAA pre-workouts, but I wanted to see what the fuss was about. Thankfully, curiosity didn't off the cat this time.

1. Flavor

Dark Energy Pre-Workout came in six different flavors:

I've only tried the Blast, and to be fair - I wasn't blown away. It mixed well, it wasn't unpalatable, and it tasted fine. But then again - who cares?

No one was buying this hardcore pre-workout for the flavor.

2. Performance Increase

The performance increase is noticeable rather quickly. Within about 20-30 minutes of taking it, you'll start to feel more alert and focused.

Your heart rate will increase, and you'll definitely feel the energy boost coming.

This is where things can get a bit dicey. The energy is euphoric and overwhelming. You'll feel like you can do anything.

Some folks love this god-like mood elevation feeling - I don't. That's how you get injured.

But then again, I can't fault the product for doing what it's supposed to do.

I did do better compared to some other pre-workout supplements.

As a result, I was able to get in a great workout, my stamina levels were up, I piled on a few extra pounds, and I did not absolutely dread the cardio in the end.

3. Pump

Six grams of Citrulline malate will get you some pump, but don't expect to grow like a pufferfish. It's a nice addition but not a dealbreaker by any means.

But, if I'm being perfectly candid - the pump doesn't matter. It's short-lived, and unless you're snapping photos for the Gram, it means nothing.

4. Focus

I'd describe the focus as Adderall-like - if that makes sense. With all these stimulants, you just end up in a zone where you gain laser focus and tunnel vision.

However, it could go the other way.

If you're overly sensitive to stimulants, it's easy to get overwhelmed and end up anxious and scatterbrained by the Dark Energy ingredients and mood-enhancing effects.

5. Energy

To say that my energy levels were through the moon is an understatement.

I was bouncing off the walls, felt like I could run a marathon, and just had this unending well of energy.

Still, here's the thing - it wasn't sustainable...

6. Side Effects

The side effects weren't too present for me. I didn't get heart palpitations. The tingling was there, but it wasn't overwhelming, and the same goes for caffeine jitters.

Again, I'm very tolerant of stimulants, and if you do a little bit of reading, you'll soon find out this wasn't the case for everyone.

Learn More - What Are Pre-Workout's Side Effects?

7. Post-Workout

The worst part came when the effects of Dark Energy high-stimulant pre-Workout began to wear off.

I was left feeling exhausted, run-down, and just all-around terrible. The crash was more than noticeable.

Thankfully, the Dark Energy Pre-Workout didn't affect my sleep, but then again, I work out bright and early. I'm sure it would mess with your sleep if you were to take it late in the evening.

Learn More - What Is Pre-Workout's Crash?

8. Cost & Availability

The jug of this thing was priced at about $50, which was not a good deal if you compare prices with competitors.

It wasn't too expensive, but still - too much money for a pre-workout as far as I'm concerned.

Now the product is off shelves, and you can no longer purchase it, so this is not something you should worry about.

Dark Energy Pre-Workout Ingredients (What’s On The Label!)

Let's quickly dissect this "not for human consumption" nutrition label and see why this "research product" is no longer produced by Magnitude Life Sciences or available at Muscle Factory SC.

DMAA (60 Mg)

Learn More - What Is DMAA Pre-Workout?

DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) is an amphetamine derivative, and an FDA-banned substance often used to aid sports performance.

In my opinion, it is one of the most hardcore stimulants that you should avoid.[2]

Unfortunately, it is a popular pre-workout ingredient often found in other pre-workouts, fat burners, and dietary supplements.

Sure, it will get you pumped for lifting and give you insane energy, but the cons far outweigh the pros, so I'd certainly advise against it - especially at 60 mg.

DMHA (200 mg)

Just like DMAA, DMHA is another powerful stimulant added to the Dark Energy "supplement" to aid muscle growth and increase endurance and energy.

Even its chemical structure is similar to DMAA.

DMHA is often marketed as a "safe" alternative to ephedrine, but as you'd expect - there is no scientific evidence to back that claim up.

Also, at 200 mg per scoop - this is a high dose. While there is no actual dosing guidance, most people recommend 100-150 mg per day.

GABA (50 mg)

GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) is marketed as one of those "feel-good productivity booster" ingredients.

Truth be told, GABA is a chemical naturally produced in our brains, and it does bring some anti-anxiety benefits.

However, when taken orally, it does not cross the blood-brain barrier, which means that, in this case, it is virtually useless.[3]

DMAE (750 mg)

Here we have another common ingredient whose effects or benefits haven't been scientifically proven, documented, or even extensively tested.

It is believed to help improve cognitive performance and mental focus, but the research is still extremely sparse or inconclusive—another miss.

Caffeine Anhydrous (400 mg)

Finally, an ingredient in this pre-workout formula that has some science to back it up.

Caffeine anhydrous is one of the most potent stimulants and one of the most popular ingredients in many pre-workout supplements.

At 400 mg, it will certainly increase energy levels, alertness, and focus while also providing a small boost to thermogenesis - which could theoretically help you burn more calories.[4]

However, a caffeine content this high could also cause jitters, anxiety, upset stomach, or trouble sleeping, so keep that in mind.

L-Citrulline Malate (6 g)

With 6 g at a 2:1 ratio, you were getting a pretty substantial dose of this popular amino acid.

L-Citrulline malate is a precursor to L-Arginine, which is a precursor to nitric oxide (NO) - a gas that helps dilate blood vessels and improve blood flow, resulting in a greater pump.

It is proven that L-Citrulline malate can enhance athletic performance and aid with post-workout recovery, so this one's a sound, well-dosed ingredient.[5]

Beta Alanine (3.2 g)

There is a lot of debate in the fitness world when it comes to beta-alanine, but the facts speak for themselves.

The only immediate effect is the tingles. That's it.

If you want to listen to actual science as opposed to bro science, here's the harsh truth - beta-alanine doesn't belong in a pre-workout.

Its effects are minor[6], dosages are often criminally undercut, and the only performance benefits appear when exercises last one to four minutes, which is a very uncommon scenario in the gym.

Learn More - What Causes Pre-Workout Tingle?

Taurine (2 g)

First up, if you see Taurine labeled as L-Taurine (as it was on this label), that should be a red flag. Without getting too technical, that is just not the correct term.

Other than that, Taurine is a relaxant amino acid that should help with muscular fatigue and aid with muscle recovery.[7]

It doesn't really belong in a pre-workout (rather a post-workout), but still, it was properly dosed, and it does yield some benefits.

Who Should Take Dark Energy Pre-Workout?

If I'm being completely honest, no one should take this pre-workout. I did so you don't have to.

It is far too potent for the vast majority of people, it's potentially life-threatening, and its ingredient list is nothing more than an overpriced stimulant bomb.

Who Should Avoid Dark Energy Pre-Workout?

Thankfully, none of you will be able to get your hands on this DMAA pre-workout, as it has been discontinued. And even if you did find a way to purchase and use it, you shouldn't.

Especially if you're suffering from any of the following conditions:

And many others...

How Does Dark Energy Stack Up Against Alternatives?

Let’s take a look at some Dark Energy alternatives.

Dark Energy Vs Dark Labs Crack Pre-Workout

If you thought it couldn't get worse than Dark Energy - you were mistaken. Dark Labs Crack Pre-Workout is one of the most popular DMAA pre-workout supplements, and it is basically worthless.

Not only does it literally force you to double scoop since every ingredient (other than caffeine and DMAA) is underdosed, but it's also filled with cheap, worthless ingredients.

Sure, it increases energy, but it’s one of the worst Dark Energy Pre-Workout alternatives you can find.

Dark Energy Vs Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout

If you're not about wasting money, I'd suggest going with simple yet effective pre-workouts with safe and natural stimulants like Transparent Labs Bulk Pre-Workout.

You'll get just enough caffeine to feel the energy boost and even mood elevation; you'll get properly dosed Citrulline malate, and you'll even get enough beta-alanine if tingles are what gets your workout intensity up.

On the plus side, you also won't have to worry about availability because this one won't be banned. Yes, it's DMAA-free - as all formulas should be.

See Our Full Review - Transparent Labs BULK Pre-Workout Review (Updated For 2022)

Frequently Asked Dark Energy Pre-Workout Questions

Is Dark Energy pre-workout illegal?

While it isn't technically illegal, DMAA, an ingredient found in this product, is banned by the FDA.

What is wrong with Dark Energy pre-workout?

Dark Energy Pre-Workout contains powerful, banned stimulant DMAA, which makes Dark Energy dangerous for human use.

Was Dark Energy reformulated?

No. It was the same formula, just rebranded as a "research product" instead of a "pre-workout."

Final Verdict

So, should you take Dark Energy pre-workout? No, you shouldn't.

Can you take it? No, it's no longer available.

Thankfully, if you're looking for a safe and effective pre-workouts, there are so many. I'd recommend staying off products spiked with DMAA, as the risks far outweigh the rewards.

Just go for simple formulas with properly dosed ingredients and find what works best for you because, as you can see from the Dark Energy Pre-Workout review - this product certainly isn't it.

References: 

1. https://academic.oup.com/milmed/article/177/12/1455/4336776
2. https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplement-products-ingredients/dmaa-products-marketed-dietary-supplements
3. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-464/gaba-gamma-aminobutyric-acid
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2333832/
5. https://journals.lww.com/nsca-jscr/fulltext/2015/03000/effects_of_supplemental_citrulline_malate.29.aspx
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3374095/
7. https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3921/6/4/79/htm