Controversial online personality Clavicular, whose real name is Braden Peters, has shared a penis-enhancement technique that involves hanging a weighted bag from the penis shaft, a method that doctors warn could cause significant harm.
During an appearance on the podcast "Howie Mandel Does Stuff," Clavicular, who is known for promoting "looksmaxxing"—a movement focused on optimizing physical appearance—explained his "shopping bag hang" method. He claimed that by filling a bag with weights and attaching it to his penis, he could stretch the suspensory ligament, which anchors the penis to the pubic bone, potentially leading to an increase in length.
Clavicular stated that this practice could lead to a gain of about an inch in length and mentioned he used to perform the technique while driving. However, medical experts are raising serious concerns about the safety and efficacy of this method.
Dr. Rajesh Patel, president and former Chief Medical Officer of Associated Urological Specialists, noted that while medically supervised penile traction devices can result in modest length increases, the risks associated with DIY methods like Clavicular's are substantial. These devices apply controlled tension, which is fundamentally different from the unpredictable force generated by hanging weights.
"You have no idea how much force you’re applying or how much the tissue can safely tolerate," Patel told The Post. He expressed concern that the idea of simply stretching the suspensory ligament for safe gains is misleading.
According to Patel, hanging weights from the penis can strain delicate blood vessels, nerves, and erectile tissue, potentially leading to bruising, swelling, skin injury, and significant pain. In more severe cases, repeated trauma could damage nerves and blood vessels, resulting in loss of sensation, scar tissue formation, and even erectile dysfunction.
Furthermore, consistent weighted stretching might cause penile curvature, similar to Peyronie's disease, a condition where plaque buildup leads to bending or shortening of the penis during erection. Patel warned that overstretching the suspensory ligament could compromise the penis's stability and angle during erection.
Clavicular previously discussed his "shopping bag" technique on the podcast "Impaulsive" with Logan Paul, noting that while he perceived some improvement, he also observed a slight lowering of his erection angle. Patel emphasized that the trend promoted by influencers like Clavicular can exacerbate anxieties about penis size, potentially turning cosmetic concerns into serious medical issues with permanent consequences.
"Once someone starts experimenting with weights or aggressive stretching techniques, they can turn a cosmetic concern into a real medical problem—and some of that damage can be permanent," Patel stated. He advises individuals concerned about penis size to consult a urologist for accurate information and safe guidance.