I agree the berry flavor is horrible tasting. The lemon is a little better, but the best tasting is the orange flavor. I tried drinking berry straight from the bottle and couldn't. I had to mix it with my Gatorade and it was fine. The lemon is a little harsh but I can drink in from the bottle but the orange is really smooth and goes down fine. Also I was reading a review on here that said 5 hour has Aspartane in it? I used to drink sugar free Red Bulls until I found out it has Aspartane in it. It also gave me headaches. But as far as I know by reading the ingredents lable 5 hour doen't have Aspartane in it, that's why I switched. I would recomend 5 hour, it works great for me. Also if you say 5 hour doen't do anything for you, try the extra strength one. I had to mix it with my sport drink because it only come in berry flavor, but it works really good. To jittery for me though.

I used to work telemarketing and caffeine was constantly flowing through my veins between Starbucks and Red Bull. When I heard this was caffeine-free, I went ot and bought a couple.
This doesn't work for me. I hardly felt a buzz at all.

I'm a server @ the Baltimore Inner Harbor and I picked this product up at 711. To my surprise I not only had a lot more energy that not only didn't make me jittery, but also made me so focused that I didn't really have to write down most of my tables orders, which I almost always have to do. I'd suggest you try it, all my friends swear by it.

I have to say that this is a well-though out energy supplement.
I researched the active ingredients thru wikipedia, and they all have good effects. It had loads of beneficial amino acids as well as 83 days worth of B vitamins as opposed to a mere 2 days worth found in an average energy drink.
I have about 20 of them, they were on sale for 1 dollar each, and I took them every morning for my schools exam week. I wake up in intervals, so I woke up at 5 in morning (I normally get up at 7) and I drank the entire bottle. (It was the Extra Strength type, meaning it has more of the energy blend).
I drifted back into sleep, then felt energetic in my half-asleep state, showing that this is definitely NOT a placebo effect!
I woke up studied, did my exams, and even made it through sports practice with no crash, despite that fact I missed 2 hours of sleep.

I did this for 4 more days, and on the last day I didn't take a shot in the morning. I had a headache at about 12 in the morning, and then sat down and took a nap. (The nap was about 40 minutes). I think that was the crash, the type you get when you have coffee for a few weeks and then stop. I felt fine next day, but I felt lousy coming down from my energetic state.

Problems I have with this product:
No herbal ingredients- Milk Thistle and Ginseng would be nice to have in it.
Fake Sugars- Sure, it's only 2 ounces, but I'd rather have real sugar than splenda
Artificial Flavors- They should use pomegranate extract, it has beneficial effects and a good flavor
Preservatives- Once again, just 2 ounces, but they shouldn't add nitrate perservatives.
It COULD have a more diverse range of vitamins. Not A big deal, but I wish it did.
They stopped using enzymes- I think the enzymes would help in absorption
Expensive!- 3 dollars? You should make the improvements I listed, then I would pay 3 dollars for this.

I compared the energy supplements at a convenience store counter, and THIS one is the best for your money. No Hi Fructose Corn Syrup, also a huge plus.

Try it, and maybe use it. It improved my mile time by 10 seconds, I forgot to mention.

i fell asleep, out like a blown light bulb. for hours, not just a little nap. the one that works for me is nitro 2 go, it has a SLIGHTLY better taste and actually gave me energy. i work from 10pm-6am and like an moron on my days off i try to spend time with my family, so i will try things like this every once in a while. another problem for me is 5 hour has aspartame and that stuff gives me major migraines, so far i do not have a problem with splenda, which is the sugar sub in nitro. if i could have given 0 stars or even negative i would have.

I'm a senior in high school and i have been tired miserably for the past few months with so much work and stress. I've barely been getting enough sleep. I always saw 5 Hour Energy commercials on TV and I came across it in Walmart. It's kind of expensive in my opinion but I took it before school the next morning and shazam! The entire day I participated more in class and I payed attention a lot more. Actually I felt happier and not so stressed out anymore.

I usually eat breakfast every morning and I still feel sluggish in school. 5 Hour Energy definitely gave me the energy and focus I needed. In addition, I was able to fall asleep that night easier. I only took it once so I can't say I'm always going to have that result but it's worth taking instead of being tired and stressed out.

As far as the taste, it tasted like something extra sour but there wasn't much after taste to it. I don't think the taste is as bad as other people say considering it's packed contents. Also, the shot is so quick it's barely a burden.

I usually don't go for medications or unnatural supplements to help me. I watch what i put into my body and with B vitamins and caffeine the amount of a mere cup of coffee, I don't need to think twice about taking 5 Hour Energy if I have that same crappy feeling. Although I can't say it's for everyone, I reccomend it 100% for those who can relate to me.

First of all, this product is not for everyone. It will affect everyone differently. The first time I took this product, it gave me the hot nyacin flush and I felt somewhat jittery. However, the next time I took the product it gave me the energy that I needed to get through the day with no side effects. I've since taken it many times and have had no problems. It doesn't always do what I would like but nothing replaces sleep however days like today when I only had 3 hours of sleep last night and I work for 7 hours today, I drank an extra strength bottle right away this morning and have been fine so far. It really does help but it's not for everyone. You need to see what works best for you. The best thing about it is I can't find anything bad in it. All the other ones that I've found have lots of stuff I don't want. Couldn't find that in this one and the is why I chose 5 hour energy!

This is the most disgusting "energy" shot I have ever had. I took one of these at night before one of my night classes, I have to drive home at 11pm so I figured I'd try it seeing as I needed the energy. So I found a spot on the campus parking lot to eat my dinner. The first shot I took I almost gagged on! The second I couldn't even swallow! Well some help that was in class. I was shaking all night and I could not focus. Right before class started I felt so sick to my stomach I kept going back and forth to the bathroom I thought I was going to throw up! It also made the blood rush to my skin so I was turning red and I felt very flushed and feverish. I wouldn't take another shot of this if my life depended on it! It also did nothing to pick up my energy. So all in all it tastes terrible, makes you feel very sick, makes it so you can't concentrate, and does absolutely nothing to make you have higher energy. Drink BAWLS or a Redbull instead! If you're going to try this, make sure you're not doing anything important for the next couple of hours.

I tried this for the first time yesterday. I am in my young forties and really bog or get tired right after lunch every day. This is not good for my business so I finally tried this product at 11:30 am right before I had my meal. As far as the taste is concerned, if you are trully looking for a way to be more allert you will not even notice it.

So after lunch when I usually get really sleepy I was talking like crazy to my business partner and we were in the truck and the sun was pooring in the windows and it was warm. Normally this would put me into a sleepy state???? So I powered through this normally sleepy time and was very energetic all afternoon and into the evening.

My concerns at this point. What is giving me the energy? I drink coffee every day so I know the effects of caffine and it's not that. I did get a headache in the middle of the afternoon (advil knocked it out). So I am out here looking for the answer.

This really does something! I actually had difficulty falling asleep last night (never a problem normally). So now I want to know why this works???? Is it B vitamins, that can't be what I have been missing all these years?

I will use this again but only when I know I need to power through after lunch coma.

This may sound kind of odd, but if you are bipolar (manic depressive) give it a try! I am one of 5 people in my family members who is bipolar and for 2 of us (myself and my brother) it has had an amazing effect on our tendency towards depression and lack of energy. And it has not thrown us into mania at all. The others either didn't feel much of a difference or had a racing heart, so it's not for everyone.
But if your body chemistry is right for the drink then it's right for you! Honestly, I feel wonderful and my brother who is Never happy can't help but smile the majority of the day. And he can concentrate for 4 hours at a time on his homework when he used to barely be able to concentrate for 1/2 hour. Just give it a try- you never know, it might do wonders for your illness.

I rated it at 3 stars because I haven't decided for sure how helpful the energy levels are. I do think it's helping, but more important to me are the side effects, since if they're bad the energy levels won't matter at all!

A little background on ME first, since that will effect the results of my "test."

I suffer from a sleep disorder which makes me sleep a lot (about 12 hours a day) and get tired in the middle of the day. I take Dextroamphetamine (15 mg) when necessary to make it through the day. I also have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, so any stomach upset should be taken with a grain of salt unless you also have IBS. I take Paxil-CR for the IBS, so it's mostly under control. I did NOT take any Dextroamphetamine for almost 24 hours before taking this energy drink. Mixing stimulants is stupid and can result in serious medical problems. It doesn't matter if the stimulants are natural or chemical in nature. In fact, you're not even supposed to drink fruit juices on Dextroamphetamine, because it can increase the stimulant effects!

I drank at least 8 oz of water before opening the bottle, as other users noted that you need to be hydrated in order to expel any excess B vitamins that your body cannot handle. Also, please note that I woke up from a long "nights" sleep at 11 pm, so 2:52 am would equal a normal person's 10 am.

2:52 am (First sip): dude, am I drinking gasoline? Is this carbonated? After swallowing, the flavor isn't too bad. The aftertaste is pure berry, so the "gasoline" is short lived, as long as you can get it down to begin with. I've only drunk about 1/4 of the bottle to start with.

2:59 am (Second sip): held my nose this time. It helps, but you're still swallowing gasoline. Have now had 1/2 bottle, which is where I'm going to stop for now. I never drink caffeine, so I think it's important to start off small with this first trial run. I can always drink more later!

3:03 am: drank another 8 oz of water (estimated)

3:07 am: very very very mild headache, but that could simply be the type of headache I get from getting tired a few hours after I wake up. Yay, sleep disorder! Absolutely nothing I'd pay attention to if I wasn't writing this down.

3:14 am: wow, my skin is vibrating. Dude. Also, I totally have to pee. Of course, I just downed over 16 oz of water!

3:23 am: had a somewhat uncomfortable BM, but I think it's important to mention a couple of points. 1) I have IBS; no matter how well controlled, odd things are more likely to effect me harsher than the norm when it comes to my digestion. 2) I'm in the middle of a menstrual cycle. My digestion tends to get a bit wacky during this time of the month anyway.

My hands are trembling a little bit. I'm used to muscle twitches from my anti-depressants, and my hands aren't the most stable thing on a normal day, but it's actually becoming just a touch fun trying to hit the right key on the keyboard! It's not horrible, but it is noticeable (to me).

4:06 am: The hand trembling seems to have worn off already, which is awesome. No more headache. Am I awake? Yup. Is it more than I would be without 5HE? I think so. I've been awake for five hours, and normally I'd be feeling a little dozy about now, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! So far no heart palpitations or jittery side effects other than the brief period of shaky hands.

4:41 am: It's only been about two hours, but I'm going to go ahead and post this, since I think if I was going to have any further side effects, they would have happened by now. I will post more later about how long I managed to stay "energized" and any further thoughts.


***A Breakdown of the Ingredients***
Vitamin B6 as Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (40 mg)
An overdose of pyridoxine can cause a temporary deadening of certain nerves such as the proprioceptory nerves; causing a feeling of disembodiment common with the loss of proprioception. This condition is reversible when supplementation is stopped. None of the studies, in which an objective neurological examination was performed, found evidence of sensory nerve damage at intakes of pyridoxine below 200 mg/day.
-- Since 2 bottles of 5HE = 80 mg, there should be no risk of B6 Toxicity. The benefits of B6 are many and varied.

Vitamin B12 as Cyanocobalamin (500 mcg)
Vitamin B-12 supplements in theory should be avoided in people sensitive or allergic to cobalamin, cobalt, or any other product ingredients. However, direct allergy to a vitamin or nutrient is extremely rare, and if reported, other causes should be sought.
-- There can be side effects, of course, but generally B12 is a very helpful vitamin.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) as Niacinamide (30 mg)
Niacinamide does not reduce cholesterol or cause flushing, although nicotinamide may be toxic to the liver at doses exceeding 3 g/day for adults.
May reduce inflammatory acne and act as an anti-anxiety agent.

Folic Acid (Vitamin B9) (400 mcg)
Folic Acid = YAY!!! This stuff is like the cure all of the natural world. Tolerable levels are about 1 mg for adults, but the risks of toxicity are low.

Citicoline
May improve learning ability and memorization. Side effects are low (about 5%), but may include stomach upset or vascular symptoms.

Tyrosine
Tyrosine does not seem to have any significant effect on mood, cognitive or physical performance in normal circumstances. However, a number of studies have found tyrosine to be useful during conditions of stress, cold, fatigue, prolonged work and sleep deprivation, with reductions in stress hormone levels, reductions in stress-induced weight loss seen in animal trials, improvements in cognitive and physical performance seen in human trials.

Phenylalanine
Found naturally in the breast milk of mammals and manufactured for food and drink products and are also sold as nutritional supplements for their reputed analgesic and antidepressant effects.

Taurine
Taurine is an antioxidant and can help with oxidative stress induced by exercise. It has also been proven to remove fatty liver deposits in humans, and may help reduce blood pressure. It's naturally found in bile (ewwww)

Malic Acid
This is the reason 5HE feels like you're swallowing carbonated gasoline. Maybe battery acid would be a better descriptor! This is what is used in sour candies in place of citric acid. Ever eaten a bag of sour candies and your tongue feels like it's been shredded by acid? Yeah, you just drank it in a little bottle. My guess is this may cause acid reflux issues in those already inclined to the problem.

Glucuronolactone
Glucuronolactone is present in many energy drinks. Most of these drinks also contain caffeine, and glucuronolactone is included because it is purported to fight fatigue and provide a sense of well-being. According to "The Merck Index" (14th edition) it is also used as detoxicant.

Caffeine
It's hard to say how much caffeine is present. The bottle says as much as a cup of "premium" coffee, but even that varies greatly. The following levels are in milligrams:

Coffee, Drip: 115-175
Coffee, Brewed: 80-135
Coffee, Espresso (2 oz): 100
Coffee, Instant: 65-100

(8.2 oz of Red Bull has 80 mg, Jolt has 71.2 mg)

I took two doses of this drink: one at 8 am, and one at 12 pm. I found that the effects are more psychological than anything. Yes, it gives you extra energy but it's more the feeling that "I drank some of this and I'm SUPPOSED to feel more energy." If someone were to put this in your morning coffee without your knowledge, you would not feel any major difference throughout the day. No way in hell does it biologically/physically "increase" focus and all that BS. I personally did not feel any obvious effects and I drank 1 full ounce throughout the day (I hear 2 oz is absurd.) In fact, after I took this the second time (around 12 pm) I was still yawning in class just like everyday hah. If you are a psychological person (like me) and you act depending on what you THINK something is supposed to do, then this is great for you (in small doses.) However, if you are looking for something that will help you maintain focus and be the big shot at work, then you are climbing the wrong branch of the tree, granted it probably works differently on everyone. I will continue to take it on important days (i.e: tests, presentations, etc) and I would recommend it to those who are looking for a psychological enhancement in their lives.

By the way, I don't know what these people are talking about saying the taste is bad. It tastes sweet/sour just like Sour Patch candies and it is easy to quickly take a "shot" of the stuff.

This product is awful all around. The taste alone makes me gag.

I drank one of these about 3 months ago. There was absolutely no difference in my energy level. Besides that, it made me very jittery and gave me an upset stomach.

Yesterday, I figured I would give it another shot thinking that maybe my last experience was because I had coffee in the morning and the taste was what made my stomach turn. WRONG! I drank one of these yesterday and almost immediately got jittery. My energy level was no different and I could not focus at all. On top of that, about 20 minutes after drinking it, I got the worst migraine of my life. 6 hours after drinking it, I still felt the same way.

I will never touch one of these again.

The only reason I give this product one star is that my wife likes it. I'm scared of it, and as another reviewer has stated, I'm missing work today because of it. I've tried it twice. The first time, I had a neglible amount of focus and energy for a short time before getting chills and falling asleep so hard it was more like passing out. This all took place within one hour of taking it. It was like having the flu. This lasted for about the time that it was supposed to keep you alert. My wife drank one and a bee should be so busy. Last night I gave it another chance (stupid) and I took it for the second and last time. The chills came, I fell sound asleep, woke up and stayed up all night because my mind wouldn't slow down. I got up this morning and immediately got light-headed. Every time I stood up I felt faint and had to lay down again. Called in sick and told my boss I had a cold rather than admit that an energy drink brought me this low. My wife still likes it, she has no symptoms like mine, and trumpets its virtues to all of her friends. I'm willing to bet that won't last. For something that's just vitamins and one coffee worth of caffeine, there's something wrong here. I'll never use it again. I wish my wife wouldn't. Oh yeah, she actually likes the taste.

This product is absolutely excellent. Before I would almost never drink energy drinks or coffee when tired (only during finals and such would I drink energy drinks like Rockstars or Monsters) but during my internship during the summer where I needed to wake up at 5 am and didn't come home till 6 pm, I needed something to give me a boost. I always saw those 5 hr energy shot commercials and decided to try one and WOW, these things sure do wake you up. I was NOT jittery at all and I was focused on anything and everything that I needed to get done.

The flavor is not bad at all especially considering it is only a 2 oz shot. I've tried all 3 of the flavors and the best by far is the Berry flavor. It actually tastes good. The price is a little steep but since I made myself quite a follower of the product, I just run over to the local costco and pick up a 24 pack (2 boxes) for 35 bucks (~ less then 1.50 a bottle SOOO CHEAP).

I've never taken two of these shots in a day just usually cause I seem to have enough energy from exercising often and eating a well balanced diet.

And to all those kids who take 3, 4, or even 5 in a day... its called survival of the fittest (or in this case the survival of common sense)... deserve to have a heart attack for being such morons.

Quick Summary : Buy these shots if you want energy + focus + no jitters. Buy them at Costco/Sams Club if you don't want to pay out the butt for them.

well i play basketball on the high school team and 3 other teammates and myself all split one bottle of this becuase we knew it was strong. and we were fine. i don't believe one bottle can give you a heart attack. idiots who drink more than the reccommended , sure, are at risk for that. this drink is FDA approved. which means its a dietary supplement and its ingredients are considered SAFE. tthe only complaint i have about it is the after taste. if you are going to take this, make sure you eat something before taking it in. also, if you have a weak stomach or its your first time trying an energy drink iw ould only take 1/4 the bottle. you still get energized for an hour or two.

-I literally just put this shit down my throat, and dear god. There -aren't words to describe how god awful the stench and taste were, if -I could give it negative stars I would. I just drank 2 water bottles -to down it and I can still taste it. I don't even need to see what -the effects are like, I will never ever ever ever use this product -again. Coffee, redbull, and monster here I come.

-And from one average person to another
-don't even give it a second thought.

To comment on this. Yes, there are words. Raw arse-stink mixed with essential oil of plain soap. Absolutely the most disgusting chemical taste of any liquid I've ever downed for energy. And though they sort of work, they make my head dizzy every time (I've done it about 10 times now because of my overnight job), and today I noticed strange pains in my sack and slight shrinkage as well. As if I took steroids for crying out loud. Never again.

I have not used this, but I work with someone who does and it's like dealing with someone on crack. He lacks focus, talks a million miles a minute and is incomprehensible while talking. He is not normally like that but he thinks he can get more done if he has that much energy. Just annoying to us mere humans.

I took one of these a few days ago.  I tried the decaf so as not to get jittery.  It has a lot of B vitamins and amino acids and is supposed to increase alertness and focus.  It tasted ok, but I notice zero difference in energy.

I literally just put this shit down my throat, and dear god. There aren't words to describe how god awful the stench and taste were, if I could give it negative stars I would. I just drank 2 water bottles to down it and I can still taste it. I don't even need to see what the effects are like, I will never ever ever ever use this product again. Coffee, redbull, and monster here I come.

And from one average person to another
don't even give it a second thought.

You drank FOUR of these in six hours? And then you complain that you almost had a heart attack?

People this stupid DESERVE a heart attack.

drank one at 6 am lasted for about 2 hours then drank another. same result. repeated two more times. by noon my left arm goes numb, my chest hurts, and i can barely breathe. pretty much gave me a half a heart attack. i am never going to drink this shit again.

If I could I'd give no stars for this.  Dreadful taste and gave me jitters and sweats even though I took it in two doses about two hours apart. I don't think the levels of niacin in this are going to be safe for everyone.  I went looking for another low-calorie boost and found the Spot-On Energy Patch; I'd recommend that over this any day.

This crap is awful. I've never had energy drinks before (although I drink a lot of coffee) but I had a bottle of this stuff a few nights ago. The taste wasn't too bad and I got an immediate buzz from the caffeine but I ended up feeling nauseous and my body got tired after an hour. It got worse as I drank fluids. I was ready to faint. I had to call in sick the next day (I never call in sick and I've gone to work with the flu! this is how bad I felt) and I was BED-RIDDEN for the next 2 days! I drank tons and my mouth was still extremely dry. I had a headache, heavy breathing for 24 hours, got the chills and I couldn't stand up without falling over. I'm still trying to recover! I've never had a reaction like this to anything else before.

This is the worst thing ever. I took it four hours ago and it just hit me. I feel like I am in drugs and my head is burning. I just want it to end. I really hope it only lasts five hours. Not recommended unless you want a splitting headache and a panic attack

Works, not overly sweet, low on calories and sugar. It works but doesn't give you that hyper rush / buzz that the other energy drinks due. But the effects last longer. I also think it tastes better than the other energy drinks as well.

I have used 5 Hour for a few months now. I went through a few weekly cycle sof different things in the morning to prepare me for my day. Coffee is just something to stay away from. Energy drinks make you feel horrible when consuming because you know what's coming later in the day. With 5 Hour, I am not off the wall or talking a mile a minute, but merely focused and alert. By doing so, I seem to be in better moods allowing me to deal with my co workers better haha. I tried 2 or 3 of the knock offs when the store I was in didn't carry 5 Hour and I didn't like them nearly as much. I buy these in bulk at Sam's Club averaging $1.50 a bottle when they are $3 at the stores.

Personally, this product is great. I use it before work and im on my feet when im at work. I only use it 2 times a week and I prefer the extra strength one. People tend to think a lot of bad things about this stuff, so let me disprove any doubts.

1. Yes this stuff will increase your heart rate...thats the point, dont drink 5 of them and you'll be fine. Dumbass teens that drink them in succession because they want to play video games until the next day drink this like water, and suffer for it.

2. The B6 and B12 counts are very high, but B vitamin is WATER SOLUABLE!! your body will only take what it can and the rest will come out when you go to the bathroom. For those that dont draw the conclusion, make sure you are hydrated before taking this.

3. Jitters is caused by an overwhelming amount of energy supplement. So, if you dont ever take anything to give you energy, then dont chug one of any of the shots. You will be jittery! If you drink coffee or monster or something that gives you a kick, then this should not be so bad. Besides, this stuff taste better and is especially just vitamins and caffeine.

4. For the guy who commented on the caffeine amount, its not the equivalent of 12 ounces of espresso...dumb ass! it says 12 ounces of premium coffee. Espresso taken in that amount would allow you to see into the future...so its basically 2 good cups of strong coffee.

5. DON'T take in large doses and try not to mix with other energy giving things. NO REDBULL MIXES!!! You will get messed up!

So in the end, this is a great product that does what it says and will work every time. As long as the directions are followed and common sense is applied, then everything will be just fine.

5 Hour Energy is good if you don't drink it very often. I personally prefer to drink it cold, though. But it depends on the weather. All Star Health has it for $19.

I used to take dexadrine (stronger than ritalin) for my ADD not too long ago, and ever since I've been off it I have no energy and a HUGE appetite. Energy drinks or coffee ave NEVER worked for me, not only do they taste horrible but they just never give me that long lasting boost.

I tried the 5 hour energy and i felt like it was more powerfull than dexadrine. Although I had the jitters, it woke me up and suppressed my appetite, just like old times! But I def think I am going to take a half of a shot next time, full bottle makes me too jittery

Up to this point I have used 5 Hour Energy about three (3) times. I was looking for somethting to help me stay up and focused after lunch. My job is very teedious and requires a lot of attention to details. After eating around 12noon to 2pm I am all zzzzz's after an hour. I tried taking 5 hour energy to combat the drousiness. I worked great. I didn't feel nervous or anything. I did urinate a lot, but I always urinate a lot because I am always drinking water. I won't do it everyday. Only on the days when it's really bad. I have tried Red Bull and this product is 10 times better.

i tried it today it was weird i had no energy but i had stamina i lift weights so it was awesome for me i didn't fell my muscles stressed there were some problems tho after i toke it i felt dizzy like i hade a bad headache it lasted a for some time o well if it makes me lift more it works for me

crappy drink.. i had no energy watso over..within an hour i was sleepy..i also got an allergic reaction to it which has never happened to me ever before in my life..my leg started to itch so bad and i had red rashes all over! wouldnt reccomend this to anyone!

I think the 5 hour energy drink is great when used occasionally. I wake up early at 6:00 AM work 9 hours, and then go to the gym and then cook dinner. Everyone in the world is normally tired in the morning. I dont suggest drinking the energy shot in the morning because after the 5 hours you mentally think you will be tired.
But honestly it works! After lunch time around 1 or 1:30 I get tired. And if I am real tired I drink a shot and I am good to go.
There are definitely side effects... The first you urinate alot. And secondly it has caused me to have mild stomach pains. My opinion is that the shot curbs your appetite and you have stomach pains after the 5 hours cause your body wants food. After the 5 hours is up I never ever feel tired and I sleep fine when I decide to go to bed.
Definitely the best energy drink I have ever had. Also much better then coffee. Although I think it is alot more then one cup of coffee!
:)

I'm a personal trainer as well as a student at GA Tech research institute. I've looked into all the active and inactive ingredients in this product, and did some research after taking Extra Strength 5-Hour Energy for the first time about an hour ago. I'm pretty wired; I would compare the effects to drinking an espresso coffee drink.

*** Pros ***
Won't make you fat. Seems cheap, easy, and a potent, magical elixir to give you that "extra boost" whenever you need it. Great in moderation... Seemingly no "crash." Gives you near-instantaneous boost of energy comparable to doing cocaine - a powerful stimulant - for an extended period of time. However, this is definitely a con as well (very strenuous exertion on your heart, just like the effects of doing any other stimulant have on the body)!

*** Cons ***
All the preservatives in 5-Hour Energy are extremely potent carcinogens, meaning they cause cancer if consumed in large amounts. This product also elevates your blood pressure to an almost dangerous degree, meaning it should not be consumed by people with any history of heart problems. I also think that you WILL develop heart problems if you take too much of this product. The caffeine levels are comparable to drinking 12 ounces of espresso coffee (it even says so on the back of the bottle), again, very, very unhealthy. The dangerous levels of B12 and B6 (over 8300% daily intake and 2000% daily intake, respectively), are DANGEROUS and TOXIC (symptoms of excess consumption of B6 include pain and numbness of the extremities, and in severe cases difficulty walking; symptoms of excess consumption of B12 include diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems) unless you drink a LOT of water (since vitamin B is water soluble) to flush out your system.

*** Conclusion ***
I would not recommend this product to any of my clients. I'd do it only when I necessarily have to, and then, only in small amounts. It is essentially the same as drinking an espresso coffee drink from Starbucks without the after-effects. Half the bottle should be sufficient to give a huge boost of energy to anyone... doing the whole bottle will F you up (try it for yourself, it's a crazy little drink). Don't do too much, I guarantee it will F your body up, and fast. Balance is the key to life, so do everything in moderation and you should be fine. Make your own call.

Sources: Me (Michael McCarty), 21 year-old GA Tech student, ACE certified personal trainer. Add me on Facebook if this article was helpful to you =)! I love meeting new people!

anyone try this b4 a football game?

THIS THING IS BULLSHIT! I GOT SO NERVOUS FOR LYK 3 HRS OR SO AFTER DRINKING THIS SHIT FEELS LIKE U SNIFF COKE MAN, ITS WAS WIRED B/C B4 I SAY SOMETHING TO SOMEONE ITS LYK I HAVE TO THINK IT AND SAY IT TO MY MIND B4 I SAY IT :S ALL I CAN SAY IS FUCK THIS! FOR OTHER PEOPLE THAT WORKS GREAT ON YOU WELL GOOD FOR YOU BUT I'D RATHER STICK W/ REDBULL OR ROCKSTAR

I like the drink, but the last 3 purchases I have gotten, have dirty rings under the cover. I have gotten the drinks at two different stores elimiating the possiblity of a bad batch. If I buy another one and it has the same issue then I will find another, as there are so many out there.

does not work for me. i have not once tried anything that has been able to keep me awaken when i was tired. does anyone else have this problem? i hate how nothing effects my body

I have used several drinks to keep me energized. 5 hour was the best. It causes frequent urination due to increase blood flow but if you can deal with using the rest room a few more times than usual,it's worth it.The best thing is no crashing or gitters.

I love 5 hour energy, plain and simple. I have class 5 mornings a week and work 5 serving shifts at a local restaurant with only one day off. I don't use it every day, just on the days where I really need the extra boost (my restaurant is right next to a walgreens so it's soooo convienient).

I'd like to cover the main issues I see people discussing here (keep in mind this is about its affects on ME - this SO doesn't apply to anyone else!!!.

Boost - I use the low caffine ones because I don't need another addiction in my life. Within 5 minutes I feel myself starting to wake up and be more alert. No jitters, no bouncing off the wall - the best way I can describe it is "drinking sleep." Also the B vitamins act as a mood elevator, so work sucks way less and people are waaaaay easier to deal with (servers know what I'm talking about). The effects last at least 5 hours for me (I'm not an energy drink or caffine junkie though), more than enough to get you through a standard night shift. On Friday I take two because Friday night shifts are brutal.

Crash - What crash? After a 9 hour shift, I was still up for 3 more hours when I came home. The next day I was tired, sure...but I'd just wrapped up a 9 hour Friday night serving shift (3rd shift in a row, by the way) and a weeks worth of school! Also I think one should expect the body to be a little worn after you crank up your energy output...

Cost- $5.45 with tax for a two pack. Might seem pricy but consider this. Without a five hour energy I want to go home as soon as I can which means I make about 40 dollars and am on my way at 8PM. But with a 5 hour energy I have much more of a desire to stay. Last night (friday) I had my 5 hours and I stayed untill midnight, racking up 140 bucks in the process. So for me, spending 5 bucks to make an extra 100 is totally worth it.

Taste- Totally doesn't suck. A little mediciney but it's a tiny little bottle, go get a drink of water and you'll forget all about it.

Conclusion - reading this page shows that 5 hour energy CLEARLY isn't for everyone. My suggestion is just to go out and try it, you'll only be out 5 bucks.

Also, anyone that has a link to any long-term detrimental afffects of the drink - that would be most appreciated as I'm trying to figure out if I'm shaving a week off of my life every time I drink one.

5 Hour Energy works for me. I do agree with hanselzaragoza.....it causes frequent urination.

5 hour energy sucks it made me pee 4 times and I did not fell the energy fast.(<">)

I have used this product approximately 15 times over the last year. I have never had any kind of adverse reaction. I have used it when taking long road trips b/c at times I have trouble staying awake when driving for long periods. I really don't like to drink caffinated beverages to stay awake b/c when I get to my destination then I can't sleep. It worked really well for me, I stayed alert while driving and was able to quickly go to sleep when I arrived at my destination. I have tried the decaf as well; could not really tell any difference.

Lol..I've been reading and i agree with all the 1stars..lol..it's funny though b/c i really think it's all in your head along with everything else...I tried both of them and i get up at 6:30 mind you i can get myself up pretty easy and stay uppity all day but that's a front i'm really tired inside.lol..but both time i took it i had to boo boo. ;-) i know but my stomach really hurt and i was still as tired as i always am. the next day i tried it same results i don't mind the hot flashes though b/c i'm in class and it's always freezing! i tried it b/c my friend said she came home one day and her boyfriend drank some and he was cleaning lol...but IT DOESN'T WORK...JUST THOUGHT I'D TRY IT AND IT FAILED MISERABLY! I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED...

So..i bought this stuff for a field hockey practice and it worked great i could run the whole practice and i felt happy and full of energy. Just the other day i ate a something sugarey for breakfast (not thinking that i had a field hockey game later) so i was afraid that i would be very slow durring the game and so i stopped by a gas station and picked this up before my game..well during the game..i had no energy i lost it all, i was about to faint, i couldnt breathe my mouth was so dry, i was having heat flashes, and i a magor suger rush. BUT the donut had settled and already digested so im pretty sure it was this stuff. dont drink this stuff if your about to play in a game. just my advice..i got extremely light headed and hot and sluggish.

I purchased the 2 oz bottle at a dollar general checking out, and hey for 50cents, I thought 'why not'. Scared to take the whole two ounces for fear of the jitters, i drank half, and was pleasantly suprised. There are no obvious 'feelings' of being up, but I have to agree with another review I read, that it DID turn my usual depressed outlook to a positive and more productive mood. I was very alert and not groggy or mopping around. Actually forgetting I had taken it, wondered where this new found mood was coming from! I recommend it if you are bogged down with to do lists, kids!! , depression or all the above! Im going back tomorrow and stocking up on this stuff!

I purchased this at a local CVS because I have a very hard time getting up early in the morning and do not drink ANY coffee or caffeinated drinks. I figured I would give this a chance. I never drink 'energy' drinks either. So yesterday when my alarm went of at 6:45AM, as usual I felt like a zombie and could bearly wake up. I took this at 7:00AM - all 2oz - and by 7:15AM I was wide awake and alert. I noticed while riding my motorcycle to work that I was much more attentive than usual and even when I arrived at work my mood was elevated. I do not ever get excited about work and normally am not fully awake until like 10:30AM. The energy started to wear off around 4:30PM but then came back by 9:00PM...I had more energy than normal and it even inspired me to go to my gym and workout. (Not a common occurrence) I finally got to sleep about 11:30PM...pretty late for me and woke up this morning by 6:30AM before my alarm went off. I was still somewhat tired this morning despite getting a good nights rest so I went ahead and took another 2oz this morning. I feel great and its 11:30AM now...still going strong. I would also like to note: THIS CONTAINS VITAMIN B16, commonly prescribed by doctors as an anti-depressant. I can honestly say, I am normally pretty depressed about going to work, but for the past two days, I have been energetic, happy, and extra analytical. We will see what the long term side affects of this are...I do not think I am going to take the 2oz shot tomorrow morning just to see how my day goes.

Again, my experience is going to vary from others because I never drink soda or coffee.

Overall- so far I think this is a great product and I will definitely continue to use as a daily/weekly motivator/energy booster.

I took this while sitting at my computer just playing games, it was early in the morning and I was very tired and I happened to remember that I had thrown this stuff in my shopping cart the other day so I ran to my fridge and grabbed it out and drank it right up, after about 20 mins or so I started sweating like I was having a hot flash, I'm 26 years old, the only time I ever had a hot flash before was durring pregnancy. I had to turn on my AC and the hot flash went away after a few mins, then I had the feeling you get right after you take a shower, all refereshed and energized and it lasted awhile. So it works...mind the hot flashes...I'll do it again.

I took this at 1:30 Because my energy seems to die down towards the afternoon. I noticed the effect about an 1hr later. I felt more energy and mentally focussed. I was not easily distracted and could do my work, after work I studied for the GMAT and was focussed. I felt the effects start to wind down around 9pm (7.5 hrs later). I am not a coffee drinker, but I drink grean tea twice a day which has small amounts of caffeine, so my body is probably not acustomed to that intake of caffiene. The next day, I did feel a energy crash and had difficulty getting out of bed an feel more slugish from the day before. It worked for me, but I don't recomemnd it as a long term solution, only when it is needed for a special event or ocassaion; cramming for a test, late night activity, or for a low energy day when you need to have peak performance.