The Brett Cooper Show
Episode 107: Meet the Men Who Use Crystal Meth to Lean-Maxx
Release Date: December 11, 2025
Host: Brett Cooper
Episode Overview
In this episode, Brett Cooper dives into the extreme world of "looks maxxing"—a growing online movement where mostly young men take drastic, and often dangerous, measures to try and improve their attractiveness. The episode centers on Braden Peters, known online as Clavicular, whose content pushes the boundaries of self-improvement into practices that include drugs like methamphetamine and physical self-harm. Brett explores the implications of this culture on individual health, self-worth, and the mental health of a young, impressionable generation.
Key Topics & Discussion Points
1. Introduction: What is Looks Maxxing?
- [00:31] Brett introduces the concept of looks maxxing: men aiming to maximize their physical attractiveness through sometimes extreme means.
- [03:28] Brett draws a line between typical self-improvement ("soft maxxing") and the more dangerous "hard maxxing" that includes steroids, plastic surgery, and other risky methods.
“Looks maxing is basically like the most intensive version of self improvement. Like it's really like doing a lot of shit to improve your looks. Whether that be steroids, whether that be peptides, plastic surgery.” — Clavicular/Braden Peters [03:28]
2. The Black Pill Mindset & Community Influence
- [01:51–03:20] Brett distinguishes between looks maxxing and the 'black pill' movement—a fatalistic attitude that says your social and romantic worth is set by your looks and largely unchangeable.
- She observes how a superficially positive message (self-improvement) quickly evolves into dangerous territory as online influence escalates.
“...it's not just getting a gua sha or ice rolling in the morning... it's actually something a lot more sinister.” — Brett [03:20]
3. Extreme Practices — Bone Smashing
- [06:58–07:32] Discussion pivots to “bone smashing”—hitting one’s facial bones with hammers or fists to supposedly trigger new bone growth under the pseudoscientific idea called Wolf's Law. Clavicular candidly admits doing this and tries explaining it.
“So I don't know if you've ever heard of Wolf's Law... if you create microfractures to a bone, it's actually going to grow back stronger. So you're inducing this by bone smashing... to get a more masculine, chiseled face.” — Clavicular/Braden Peters [07:01]
- Brett responds with disbelief and humor, highlighting the physical and psychological dangers.
“You do not need to take a hammer to your face for that to happen... If you are considering taking a hammer to your face, let me know. I will Amazon [a jaw exerciser] to your house before you start breaking your jaw.” — Brett [07:32]
4. Drug Use for “Lean Maxxing” (Methamphetamine & Adderall)
- [09:03–10:31] Clavicular claims to use Adderall and methamphetamine to suppress appetite, sharing a story about staying up three days to lose five pounds. He downplays the risk and claims to have treatments for neurotoxicity.
“For three days I spammed a combination of Adderall and methamphetamine for appetite suppression and I didn't... I literally went on a three day fast and stayed awake the entire time and I lost five pounds.” — Clavicular/Braden Peters [09:03]
“That was kind of the craziest thing I've done. It was pretty neurotoxic... but thankfully we have something called cerebralysin to recover from the neurotoxicity.” — Clavicular/Braden Peters [09:26]
- Brett is incredulous, questioning the value and influence on young audiences.
“You did all of that to lose five pounds?... For him to be up for three days off of it sounds like he was doing a little more than a microdose. Casually playing with one of the most addictive drugs. This man dancing with the devil.” — Brett [09:21, 14:27]
5. Merchandising the Madness: Paid Communities & Influence
- [14:30] Clavicular runs a $50/month Discord and offers direct coaching, effectively monetizing and institutionalizing these dangerous practices.
“He has a paid Discord-like community for his fellow looks maxers... If being part of that private community isn't enough, you can apply to be part of a one-on-one service through his paid course where he will help you ascend...” — Brett [14:30]
- Brett lampoons the commercial pitch with biting sarcasm, highlighting the absurdity and risks.
“Such simple actions. Just do meth and smash your face in and you can look like me. This is... certifiably insane.” — Brett [15:04]
6. Other “Life Hacks”: Fake Delts and Body Modification
- [16:23–17:17] Clavicular demonstrates using “sticky boobs” (silicone pads, typically used by women) on his arms to appear more muscular for social media, admitting not to work out because he’s “partying all the time.”
“Now we're all padded up, ready to go. Delts are looking crisp.” — Clavicular/Braden Peters [16:34]
- Brett skewers the irony and duplicity, especially given the usual criticisms from these communities toward women for “faking” appearances.
“If you're too busy to go to the gym like me... Just stick some women's sticky boobs, some frickin sticky chicken cutlets on your delts to make yourself look muscular. This is so gay. Like, I'm sorry, but that actually is gay.” — Brett [16:38]
7. Real-World Harm: Influencing Minors and Others
- [18:15] Accusations arise over Clavicular injecting substances into his 17-year-old girlfriend (and possibly younger minors), with Brett noting that this goes beyond just “sharing personal experience”—it’s direct, dangerous influence.
“He's literally injecting a 17 year old. How is that just giving an opinion?... This is not self improvement. This is a downward spiral fueled by deep rooted insecurities and a desperate need for online attention.” — Brett [18:15–18:26]
- A list is shared of dubious and unethical recommendations from Clavicular, including: limb lengthening, aromatase inhibitors for minors, distributing drug and hormone protocols, and further reckless “hacks.”
8. Cultural Commentary: Comparisons & Mental Health Concerns
- Brett draws parallels between looks maxxing and early gender transition in young people, noting the similarities in irreversible bodily harm, insecurity, and online peer pressure.
- Commentary from teachers and anonymous users highlights the extent to which these ideas penetrate youth culture.
“Somebody else commented on YouTube and said, and people wonder why the mental health of young people is in decline. When I was 19, my biggest concern was figuring out how much gas money I was gonna need to get to the amusement park with my friends.” — [Approx 20:30]
- Brett calls for more positive, holistic role models (mentioning Derek from More Plates More Dates, Huberman, Chris Williamson) and encourages parents to be vigilant about their children's online consumption.
Quotes & Memorable Moments
On the Absurdity:
“If you can't get through a three day fast without drugs, maybe just don't fast.” — Brett [10:00]
“Can you imagine going on a date with a man?... and he's like, oh, sorry, babe, let me remove my delts. No, no, no, no, no.” — Brett [16:38]
On Moralizing Self-Improvement:
“There are ways to improve... They do not include doing meth or bashing your face in with a freaking hammer. And I cannot believe that I literally just had to say that on YouTube.” — Brett [22:30]
On Broader Implications:
“[Clavicular] is selling all of this to his generation, to a generation of impressionable young men. And I mean literally selling.” — Brett [14:30]
“This is a catastrophe. What did happen? Not to mention smashing your face in with a freaking hammer.” — Brett [18:40]
Important Timestamps
- [00:31] — Introduction and explanation of looks maxxing and why Brett is covering the topic
- [03:28] — Clavicular explains "hard maxxing" (self-improvement through extreme measures)
- [06:58–07:32] — Detailed description and discussion of bone smashing
- [09:03–10:31] — Confessions of drug use for appetite suppression and "lean maxxing"
- [14:30] — Paid communities and the commercialization of harmful practices
- [16:23–17:17] — Using "sticky boobs" to fake muscle definition
- [18:15] — Concerns over Clavicular’s influence on minors and injections
- [20:30+] — Commentary on mental health, social pressures, and the impact on youth
Tone & Takeaways
True to her voice, Brett combines sarcasm, concern, and directness in critiquing the absurdity and danger of these practices. She repeatedly returns to the point that seeking self-improvement is not the problem—it’s the commercialization and normalization of dangerous behaviors, especially aimed at young, vulnerable audiences.
She closes with a call to seek better role models, self-care, and genuine health—not quick, extreme, and hazardous fixes.
Bottom Line:
This episode is a cautionary deep-dive into a dark corner of internet self-improvement culture, shining a light on how online trends can steer young people toward physical and psychological harm in the pursuit of acceptance, status, and “ascension.”