Energy Drink Added 2005-10-14 17:54:20

5-Hour Energy Review

Price: $2.99
Available at: GNC Charlotte, NC
Nutrition Information:
Size: 2.0oz. · Serving Size: 2oz. Calories: 15 · Carbs: 3g · Sodium: 10mg

Ratings:
Combined Reviewer Rating:

7.5 out of 10 7.00 out of 10 from 14 reviewers

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Can Text:

Well, not really a bottle, more of a little vile. Very colorful little bottle, with some guy running through the mountains like he's being chased by a Yeti. They boldly claim 5 hours of energy now, no crash, sugar free, and 0 carbs. Yes, but will it make me sweat, compulsively count things, and tell you three times about the catastrophe of losing my chapstick through the hole in my pants pocket?

The bottle suggest you "Drink the entire bottle" (all 2oz.? Are you sure...all at once?), "for fast acting long lasting performance. For best results, take on a empty stomach." (Hold the phone, "take"? you mean like "use"? I'm not a "user" man, I can quit whenever I want).

Active Ingredients *Per can, not per serving:
Taurine, Caffeine mainly, but 8333% of your daily allowance of B12, 1600% of B6 as well. "Chaser 5-hour Energy is a powerful blend of vitamins, enzymes and amino acids designed to help you get going fast, and keep you going for up to five hours."

Angie's Review: Reviews posted after May 2007 are written by a guest reviewer referred to from this point forward as "The Stig".
If there was a Sandlewood flavored shot, this would be it. It was very hard for me to enjoy, although the flavor in a 2oz. energy shot shouldn't be a big deal. Next to the 'shake well', it should say "hold nose while drinking'. Maybe it was more like patchouli oil flavor. Regardless the flavor was total ka-ka. There was a slight berry aftertaste, but I didn't taste that until 5 minutes later.

Having said that, I would give this a 12 on energy rating if it were possible. The high energy level made all the other energy drinks look like a regular cola. It was very fast acting, I immediately felt anxious, and couldn't hold still. After 15 minutes I suddenly became very aware of my hands. They were hot and tingled like pins pricking them. Soon they became red and blotchy, and I noticed that there seemed to be a lot of wrinkles on them... I also noticed that the customer service people at Sprint suck, because they are sooo slow, and that the guy seemed to be pressing the same two buttons over and over again. Maybe that's just what the good people at Sprint teach them to do. That would explain a lot.....

Chaser had the highest energy I've ever experienced from anything offered over the counter. The $2.99 price tag is a bit much for this, but bravo for someone making something this strong. I suppose if you're about to drive for 9 hours to Delaware with your sick boyfriend and want to limit the number of potty stops, this would be a great energy shot. I actually had to eat something to calm down a little after drinking this because the feeling was a bit uncomfortable. Ladies.. or light weights, I suggest you try half the serving to begin. Though this might've been one of the worst tasting things I've ever tasted, ever, and I think it's overpriced, it will still receive a high overall score because I was so impressed with the high energy level.

Angie Energy Rating:

10
Angie Taste Rating:

2
Angie Value Rating:

6

Jason's Review:
This drink is great (pretty good on taste, but what's to taste with 2oz?) on all levels except value. Firstly, when I read the bottle, I thought about how this could forever change my life. I pictured myself stumbling through a bus station, asking people for $2.99 to get a bus ticket to my brother's house. I pictured myself tweaking at the GNC, sweating and rubbing my Chaser bottle like Gollum, looking around nervously to ensure no one saw me with my booty.

Having taken this into consideration, I "drank the entire bottle". The taste is pretty palatable, surprising, based on the other energy shot drinks I've had. It's a strange taste, and very potent, but not extremely offensive. Within an hour, I couldn't pull my eyes shut. I considering organizing my receipts from the last three years, or going to Target to buy an origami starter set. Of course, while I was out, I'd need to swing by the GNC to pick up another chaser...I mean, while I'm out, why not? Right? Stop judging me!

Seriously, a lot of energy, I'm giving it a perfect 10, it's like a couple of Vivarin. There really isn't a crash either, it's just as the bottle describes. Combined with the low calories, the small amount of fluid, no carbs (since the carbs from glycerine aren't metabolized), it's a great "shot" of energy.

The cost was a little high, if this came down on price, I'd be inclined to buy more.

Jason Energy Rating:

10
Jason Taste Rating:

7
Jason Value Rating:

Other 5-Hour Energy Products

5-Hour Energy
5-Hour Energy Lemon Lime
5-Hour Energy Orange

User Comments

bob on 2007-12-05 20:27:12 said:
Purchased at 7-11 yesterday. Taste is very tart. As for energy don't waste your money. I felt no change in my energy level. This product is all hype.

Judy on 2007-12-08 03:02:48 said:
This energy drink is fantastic ! I especially appreciate the fact that the energy is instant & there is no crash. However, since I am a small woman, I should take less than the entire bottle as the energy stays with me even after 10 hours.

nytetyme on 2007-12-11 02:51:04 said:
personally I love the non crash factor, you can feel your skin start to tingle pretty much right away not like other drinks that you kinda get hit by surprise and crash without warning. Definitely wish it cost a bit less and am inclined to find it in bulk to save on the price. For really long sustained energy i suggest taking half and half like 3 hours apart

robin on 2007-12-12 17:06:51 said:
this stuff has been my best friend the last few nights have 4 days to write 6 papers, the price is reasonable for such a punch, it so potent i find i only need half a bottle although i am kinda shaky, only 5 hours sleep in past 3 days this has been way helpful don't recommend the empty stomach deal you'll just feel sick you will also burn off what you eat quickly so keep some neutral/basic food handy, i suggest pretzels, saltines, bread anything that will absorb the extra acid and keep a blanket or something near by cause toward the end of the 5hrs you'll start to get cold but over all go buy this crazy stuff.

CamraMaan on 2007-12-13 00:07:53 said:
I take one of these every morning, either when my alarm first goes off (I usually hit snooze twice), or once I get to the store if I forgot to stock up. If I take one when I first wake up, and go back to sleep through two snoozes (15 minutes), I wake up at the next alarm totally wide eyed and awake. If I take one at the gas station, I'm awake within 5 minutes. For me I don't get any shakes, or anything you might expect from a powerful energy drink like this, it just wakes me up... totally awake. Even works perfectly on 3 hours of sleep after getting 5 hours of sleep each of the previous two nights! Thats where the real test is! The price isn't "cheap", but come on, you get totally awake for $3... most espresso drinks are more than that, don't last as long, and you also crash. I'm all too willing to pay the $3! And the taste isn't fantastic, but if you take one of these every day, it'll grow on you quickly. I'd give it a 9.5, simply because I like an energy shot that works this well, with no hyper side effects (for me). I've bought a couple cases in the past, and the prices are worth it for what you get, even if you buy by the bottle.

Yasir Khan on 2007-12-14 06:32:37 said:
I am a truck driver and I bought this 5 hour energy shot and I must say it woks for a couple of hours and then it stops working,The taste was nasty and it made me feel sick.I will never waste my money on it again.

bigjohnny on 2007-12-15 18:09:46 said:
nothing...nada...zilch..didn't feel a thing. seriously. no crash, but nothing to crash from. all hype it seems to me.

Gesine on 2007-12-19 20:25:57 said:
Do not use this product. I drank it in the morning and got energy yes, but after 1pm (after I took a little nap) i woke up shaking and needed to be taken to the hospital. I was not able to watch my two little children, who were completely thrown off by the way I behaved. I had to crawl through the house because I could not feel my legs and/or walk. Be careful please.

dan on 2007-12-19 22:25:06 said:
really good product. it gives you a lot of energy which lasts for hours, and there is no crash, like they say. and it doesn't make your stomach cringe like strong coffee. i can take one in the evening, and then wake up the next morning much easier from the little bit still in my system. very unique stuff.

Eric on 2007-12-26 14:43:50 said:
This stuff is awesome. The first time I drank it was at work, first thing in the morning. Within 20 minutes I was pacing, looking for something else to do. I also drink them an hour before my City League basketball games, a great boost! The people that got no response are likely comparing these to the meth they normally use. Worth every penny. But do eat something first, they can be tough on the guts.

Allan on 2008-01-03 19:00:09 said:
Well, I have been on a World of Warcraft binge, and after pulling an all-nighter, this little sucker was just the energy boost I needed to crank out another 4-5 hours. I normally don't drink coffee or soda much so this may have had more of an effect on me than those who drink tons of coffee.

HeatherCI on 2008-01-04 14:03:54 said:
I loved it! I was worried I'd be too tired to pick up my boyfriend from the airport at 3AM, but not only was I awake, I was energized....if you know what I mean!!!

Jimmy on 2008-01-05 17:02:13 said:
I drank it 20 min ago, still nothing. No flush or detection of any additional energy. In fact I've yawned several times since taking it. Waste of money.

Sleepy Joe on 2008-01-05 22:04:14 said:
I think the 5 hours is a bit overstated. If I slam down a whole bottle the energy is good for about half that time and then slowly mellows out, leaving me having to down another bottle to get through the rest of the day fully alert. At the high price, who can afford to drink that many? Drinking half a bottle and then drinking the rest a few hours later gives me a bit of increased energy for a longer period of time, but not enough to ward off the cobwebs I feel in the afternoon, just enough to keep me from falling asleep at my desk or on my couch after work. It delivers the energy it promises, maybe just not for as long. It would be a great product if it were not so overpriced.

Angie K. on 2008-01-08 13:55:08 said:
I am very pleased with the effect of the 5-Hour Energy shot. I've had no negative reactions, only the energy to do things I want and need to be doing. I take one before I work out or to start the day and I find I want to exercise or clean house. Great little boost to get me up and going. I just hope it isn't habit forming.

Lola on 2008-01-09 12:56:29 said:
I love this energy shot because it really works for me! The taste is quite yucky, but I can deal with that. Just chew a piece of gum afterwards. I'm a nurse and this keeps me awake without being nervous or jittery. And like it says, there is no crash for me either.

N on 2008-01-09 16:30:43 said:
About an hour after I drank half a bottle of 5 Hour Energy I vomited blood. The next morning at about 5 am I became violently ill with severe stomach pains, after that I was taken to the emergency room and diagnosed with a peptic ulcer. Since then I have never used 5 hour energy again, and my stomach has healed.

Angie C on 2008-01-11 14:36:11 said:
I have tried this stuff 3 days in a row... Kept thinking it was just me or I got a bad batch. But this stuff doesn't work worth a crap!! I wish i had my $9 back I spent this week on it. What a crock!!

Jimmy on 2008-01-11 19:44:48 said:
Definitely recommend this product. I had lost some major sleep this week, and when my cat died 6 days ago I had no energy to bury it. After I took the energy shot, I was wide awake and buried Sam in the backyard in no more than 5 minutes. My hands are still dirty.. major energy rush. still feelin' it. Absolutely a great investment. cmon, its 3 bucks!

Brian on 2008-01-16 00:30:12 said:
this shot gives you great energy with no crash...its a pretty great product...as like it is said on bottle...i recommend this shot over any energy drink and coffee.

Gary on 2008-01-19 22:46:42 said:
This is my favorite energy drink. It works and I don't have to consume more that 2oz's.

Slightly on 2008-01-21 10:05:46 said:
I've tried about three bottles now. The 'energy' is more gradual for me. If I start getting sleepy at work, I'll down one and I'm good for the rest of the day. I am a 5'3" woman, so it does affect me for more than the 5 hours. Also, if you have an adverse reaction, it's probably because of the Niacin. Some people are allergic to Niacin, if you are, then do not use this product. (Niacin is a component of some diet pills - it's used to increase blood flow and energy) Thanks 5-hour energy!!

CSR-lady on 2008-01-23 15:39:36 said:
Took this to help with work -- I work as a lead CSR from home, which means I'm riding herd on 15 agents, answering questions, keeping productivity stats, etc. Thought this might help with the multitasking. Good news: it did help. And not only does it help me keep my edge if I'm lagging a bit, but there are a couple of bonuses. First, I think my memory is better (based on performance on Japanese flashcard drills.) And second -- the reason I'm writing this review -- it is GREAT for helping me function despite a cold! So, this energy shot is just about perfect... EXCEPT for the price, which is rather high. I won't be using it every day, but I've got some stashed for those days when I'm just not quite keeping up.

Troubled Mom on 2008-01-23 21:05:29 said:
My son is a twenty year old college student. Last night he stayed up doing homework until 3AM and then headed to class at 8AM. He was tired, so he had a 5 hour energy shot when he got up. During class at about 10:30AM, he started to feel terrible. He got a bad head rush and his heart started pounding. His hands went numb and he thought he was going to pass out. He thought it would go away, but it got worse and he started having chest pain. He thought he was having a heart attack or a stroke. He told the professor and the professor called the ambulance. His blood pressure was very high and his heart rate was crazy. They ran all kinds of tests on him - an EKG, chest x-rays, drug tests, blood tests, urine tests, etc. They all came back o.k. Their only explanation was the 5 hour energy drink. They said they are seeing that type of problem more and more from energy drinks and energy shots. My son had tried this before without any type of reaction, but it only takes once. He will never try it again and I hope this makes you think twice before you decide to try it. Obviously, it can be very dangerous. My son was in the hospital all day. His blood pressure finally returned to normal around 5PM. Please think twice before you buy.

Rich on 2008-01-24 10:55:24 said:
I had already worked from 6AM 'til 2PM and had to drive for 8 and a half hours to get home. Tried this for the first time. Poured the contents into a bottle of Fuze to avoid the flavor issues I'd heard about. Drank it all in about twenty minutes. No intense feelings at all. Just made the drive without feeling like I might fall asleep. Felt completely alert the entire trip. No nervousness. Not shaky. I don't think I would down this stuff in one gulp. Worth it as long as it's not used habitually. There is something to be said for getting a good night's sleep rather than depending on supplements for energy.

Sheryl & Rick on 2008-01-26 18:02:19 said:
Yeah, this drink??? What? What? brb, Ok, I'm back, had to wax the car! WHAT? WHAT? Oh, ok...anyway, what were we talking about? Oh, yeah, the energy shot thing. I needed duct tape, why you ask? To tape my wifes mouth shut...yap yap yap...on and on etc...WHAT? Oh yeah, ok anyway, I'm not sure if it makes you hyperrrrrrrrrrr WAHT? Oh ok yeah uhm...GOTTA GO

Christine on 2008-01-28 11:49:22 said:
As long as you are not about to literally fall asleep, this energy drink works wonders....however making the drink a habit will make your body more immune to it, therefor it does not feel like it is working as good. With my expierence(s), it makes me more alert and helps me both focus more and retain more information (its a help since Im a student). NOTE: Do not take on a completely empty stomach......you will vomit!!

blake daugherty on 2008-01-28 13:42:48 said:
i drank one....nothing...then another about 20 minutes later....still nothing...its a bit overpriced and it gives you no energy whatsoever....and it taste horrific...i believe ill stick to my monster energy drink......after all it taste great and gives me energy all day....and cost less also

Shirley on 2008-01-30 03:06:09 said:
I work from 9 pm - 5 am so can usually use a quick boost but I am still waiting for that 'boost'. Had horrific heart burn from it - tastes like something a cow burped up and still no energy 'boost' ---- and very expensive - a couple of cups of coffee do about the same if not more actually. I could take this stuff and go to sleep --- a little overstated and if you read these reviews can be very dangerous actually. Wishful thinking in a can that tastes like crap is all it is folks - that is my opinion and I am sticking to it - save your money and have a cup of coffee.

Peyton on 2008-01-30 12:43:22 said:
Yo, I drink like 3 red bulls a day so bad for you I gained like 10 pounds. So I switched to this thing. It’s crazy, like taking an adderall. Very good I love this thing I am going to start substituting this for my red bulls. Only 1 a day not 3.

Lloyd on 2008-01-30 22:46:11 said:
Tried this at the end of a night shift this stuff really works. I was able to drive 1 hour home. Felt like I was going through a werewolf change or something. awesome.

Technus on 2008-01-31 09:48:03 said:
I love this drink, it's not the greatest tasting, though the lemon-lime was pretty good, but it's so small, it doesn't really matter anyway. It takes like 20-30 mins for me, sometimes an hour depending to feel it's effects. It's so much better than coffee! Coffee loses its affect after a while for me and stops working altogether. I could drink 4 cups of coffee and fall right to sleep. It makes me kind of chatty and hyper though, and it works as long as it says it does, like 5-6 hours. Plus, I'm not sure if it's the mega dose of vitamin B or what, but it has really helped with my epilepsy and dystonia :) When I researched online, I found that Vitamin B6 and B12 deficiencies have been linked to both of these conditions, so I'm glad I started taking this drink and found that out. My epilepsy also makes me more sleepy than normal, so it's helpful with that too. I can't drink other energy drinks because they always taste the same, like mountain dew, and I hate mountain dew :p

Alex on 2008-02-01 08:55:05 said:
I have to give this drink a very good rating. I tried it the other day and I instantly felt alert and ready to work. Now with that said there is a downside (its not the taste). After the 5 hour time it gives you of energy, it brought me back to my normal state of....blah Besides that, I rate it very high in my book. The price is reasonable, as it can be found in Wallgreens for 2 for $5 or 4 for $10.

Dee on 2008-02-01 19:17:21 said:
Tastes good, works alright, but I have been nauseas ALL day. Do not drink on an empty stomach. Threw up once after about 4 hours of feeling sick, and it didn't go away. Needless to say I will not buy this again.

Nikki on 2008-02-03 10:12:55 said:
I am a mail carrier with a 6 hour long walking route. I am in great shape. I eat breakfast and take it at 10 am and the energy lasts until about 4pm. This is the greatest product ever. Warning: If you are overweight, a couch potato, underweight, sedentary, allergic to exercise, sickly, breakfast skipper, junk food eater, drug user, alcoholic, or just abusive to your wonderful body; this product may not work for you. DON'T BLAME THIS PRODUCT ON HOW INCORRECTLY YOU CHOOSE TO USE IT!

Atticus on 2008-02-03 10:58:03 said:
The drink is very effective. It's the only energy drink that doest give me the willies, just strong focused steady energy. I make sure to have it within an hour or so of eating something, otherwise I get that awful Niacin flush, and my face and hands start hurting. BTW my wife is very sensitive to caffeine and she says the new caffeine free version works great.

Think About it! on 2008-02-04 14:58:45 said:
There is a person running on it? People who are taking it just to try it should not! This products is awesome for the gym, if I need energy, I will take a nap....or get rest. This product is not for everyone like anything else in this world!

Xclusive on 2008-02-05 10:45:49 said:
I think the drink is great compared to the other drinks i've tried (Red Bull, Monster, Starbucks). I'm just worried about side affects, so I wont be using it on a daily basis. Only when I feel weak or tired I guess.

Adam on 2008-02-05 11:38:52 said:
I took this after I had been up for a good amount of time hoping it would help me get through the day and as soon as I took it, it was amazing... Not even 15 min later I crashed and fell asleep. Waste of money in my opinion.

CJ on 2008-02-06 15:36:20 said:
I swear by this stuff. Absolutely amazing. I only take half a bottle in a day when i need it and it keeps me going for up to 10 hours. I think those that say it doesn't do anything are just not used to the "no crash" effect. Do you need that to know its working?? Either way. I highly recommend it.

Stella Dunlap on 2008-02-08 17:04:58 said:
This drink is GREAT!!!. This is a true story. I drove from South Carolina to Dallas, TX. This was an 18 hour trip which I had done a number of times. Each time I was so sleepy I had to pull over and rest. I tried the 5-hour energy shot and I drove non-stop. We would stop for gas and I would start driving again. We had two other driver in the car and they keep saying are you not tired yet? If you want a good product for energy please try it, it really works.

Jmlbob on 2008-02-10 01:43:16 said:
Well it works but it works too well,i took it to make sure i could make a 600 mile drive without taking a nap, well over 24 hour later after completing the trip i still haven't been able to sleep it feels like my brain is getting heavier and crushing the back of my eyes after 40 hours with more than 2 minutes of sleep. take at your own risk.

jay on 2008-02-11 16:57:13 said:
For the people complaining about the price: this drink delivers the energy punch of cocaine and is waaaay cheaper. Legal alternative to that expensive powder :D

Victor from Detroit on 2008-02-11 23:32:52 said:
This Energy drink is amazing. I have tried several others before but this works really well. I have difficulty processing a lot of sugar at once (which regular energy drinks have a lot of) and caffeine irritates my acid reflux. The lack of sugar and insignificant caffeine amounts in this make it a perfect fit for me. And on top of that I stay up for 5 hours+ (I work midnights 3 days a week) and I get a lot of work completed as well.

RoN SpECtrE on 2008-02-13 21:59:18 said:
hey! HEY !! I ... I tOOk thE driKN a Fwe Minutes AGO and I loVe it! I am ReALly FocUsEd and CaN geT SO MUCH dONE1!!!! its its its its its ... HEY!!! I ... TOOK thiS drInK a few MinuteS AgO an.... WOW!!!! DEJA VU!!!!!

Joe on 2008-02-14 13:40:00 said:
Having a read a couple of dozen user reports, I see clearly that the results on this stuff are highly idiosyncratic. Since some of the results are dangerous, I'd recommend staying way. But I didn't take my own advice. I was desperate for some help on the fourth morning in a row of being very late for work due to sleepiness caused by Claritin. (Yes, it's not supposed to make you sleepy, but doesn't work that way for everybody.) I took it about 3 hours ago, and I'm still sleepy. There is some effect, though: my arms and legs are twitchy and I'm a bit queezy. Being twitchy and desperately sleepy at the same time is not a pleasant feeling, to say the least. I'm going home now, and going to bed.

Jenn on 2008-02-14 16:09:38 said:
I am a 32 yr old mother of 5 and have hypothyroidism. Which slows down my metabolism and is making me fat. I wanted something to give me the boost I needed to get me fat butt on the elliptical and shed some pounds. I have never taken any type of energy drink though I did use caffeine pills when I was younger.I always feared the "crash". I bought this product in a 2 pack for $4.50( i bought 2 packs) and figured I would give it a try for a few days. I am amazed by the energy boost I received with this 2 oz energy shot. The berry taste isn't great but it isn't awful either. I am proud to say I am on day 2 of elliptical workouts and feel awesome. I will continue to buy this as long as I need it for the boost. I use it once a day in the morning so by late afternoon the energy has faded a bit but I am not crashing and can finish my nights off with ease. Love It!!

Ryan on 2008-02-15 20:11:38 said:
Energy drinks (or anything with large amounts of caffeine) have never done anything for me but suck all the energy out of me, giving me a jittery low feeling. Although I enjoy the taste of Red Bull or Monster, I usually regret drinking them. IMHO, consuming energy drinks to get a burst of energy is like taking a loan out from your body. You will have to pay your body back later in many times more rest. The interest kills ya. It's an unhealthy lifestyle.

matt on 2008-02-19 10:57:43 said:
The no crash thing is bs. The thing that gives you energy is not vitamins like they claim, but taurine, the same stuff that's in Red Bull. You can buy over the counter pills that have taurine that are much, much cheaper (3 for a buck vs. 2.99) and work just as well or better. It WILL make you crash from the taurine... Avoid this stuff.

Terry on 2008-02-20 01:12:47 said:
I drank 2 of these in 5 mins. NOTHING. Nada. Zip. No energy rush, no energy, no change. I get a better rush off a strong cup of coffee. All it did was change my piss a bright yellow...that's it. Don't waste your cash, it's overpriced and tastes like crap.

AB on 2008-02-23 19:45:55 said:
I took a bottle of this drink twice in a span of 2 days and the results have been terrible. I had serious nervousness in my arms and legs and my blood pressure went up. I was about to go to seek medical attention but the symptoms slowly reduced and i am back to my normal routine now. Please be careful when using this product. May not suit all body types.

elpolicio on 2008-02-24 00:13:43 said:
i took the drink and got a huge rush of energy and 2 hours later i laid down and i couldn't get up. my body felt like lead. basically, i was paralyzed for about 5 min. then, i got a bad headache for 10 minutes. i love this drink!

JC on 2008-02-24 19:06:17 said:
I have to agree with Nikki the letter carrier posted above. I'm 57 and have tried most energy drinks because I don't have the energy level that I used to but still like to play hard. I had to give up all the other energy drinks due to the jitters. But trying this 5 Hour Energy (we shared one, the first time) I was very surprised to find that it worked just as they advertise. And when we finally got home and went to bed....I went right to sleep and slept all night. I used it again the next day, for the drive back to Sacramento from San Diego and again, it worked great! The down side seems to be the taste.....but well worth it for it's intended purpose.

Caffeine Man on 2008-03-02 16:25:42 said:
I just purchased this at a Wal-Mart, and I have to say, I'm quite disappointed. I have some friends who, like me, can down several energy drinks at once and feel nothing whatsoever, but even they said that this drink made them feel like they had to run for twenty miles. I was hoping that this would finally be the drink that got me running around my house, but sadly, all it did was leave a tart, salty taste in my mouth and leave me $5 poorer. Either I have an unnaturally high tolerance for caffeine and Niacin or this product simply doesn't work.

exor on 2008-03-03 12:49:29 said:
One of the rare energy drinks that actually works for me. The main tests of it is during my evening commute... without it, I would start to doze off (dangerous, I know!). It also helps me get through my full 8-hour work day plus evening grad school. Note: I barely do any other caffeine/energy drinks .

Garrett on 2008-03-04 07:15:25 said:
I work on websites, normally at night. I had one I had to get done the other night, so I stopped by Wallgreens and picked up a 2 pack 5 hour. I drank one and fell asleep 2 hours later at my desk.

Andrew!!!!!! on 2008-03-04 08:39:22 said:
I drink energy drinks all this time and they really dont do anything. But yesterday i tried 5 hour energy for the 1st time and they should rename it 5 hour crack, cause i was wired. Not wired in a good way like i wanted to do hw, but like i had RLS or something. Also i drank it at 630pm and couldnt fall asleep until 5am. with the 2 hours of sleep i did get, i was somehow not tired the next day.

Bobby on 2008-03-04 15:31:26 said:
This drink works! I took one last Saturday while at work feeling drained. Within 20 mins, I was alert, awake, and became very productive at work. I would recommend this to anyone.

meagan on 2008-03-09 11:54:43 said:
3 words: LEGAL CRYSTAL METH. i'm never buying this ever again!

worywort on 2008-03-09 22:14:40 said:
I'm thinking about taking a 5 hour energy shot this Thursday. I will be in Mexico on a church trip and really don't want the kids to see me go into cardiac arrest because I wanted a little "buzz". I think I'll risk it.

Ryan on 2008-03-10 00:08:25 said:
This stuff gets me through school. My teachers kill me with homework, so I'm always up late. I have a 6 pack of this stuff in my locker, so I can get one if I need it. I just ask to go to the bathroom and go grab one, pound it, and return to class. About 15 minutes later, I'm not on the verge of passing out. It keeps you awake, but you still feel that mental tiredness. Nothing is a substitute for a good night's sleep.

Allen on 2008-03-11 18:09:13 said:
One in the morning right when I wake up and I'm good to go. For those that feel no energy from it I think you need to quit your crack addiction.

wild bill on 2008-03-12 10:53:59 said:
Okay; i have used it three times in the past four days, and here's my report. I think those who want a high are looking in the wrong place, unless you were to drink two bottles in a row. But I found that in each case the stuff did in fact noticeably sharpen mental focus for several hours. No question about it. I drive a lot, and I also have a lot of meetings where I need to be very sharp. I would score this A+ by that measure. Really couldn't ask for better. No noticeable exaggerated crash. Some in these comments seem to be disappointed that they go back to normal. That's not a crash. I found taste of the "berry" flavor to be fine. Nothing I'd drink for pleaure, but tart and tolerable. Here is the down side. Two out of the three times I drank it I went and had a big heavy dinner maybe half an hour to an hour later. Both of those times I began to experience severe gastric problems within half an hour of finishing dinner, and they lasted almost all night. Second time was worse than the first. Different restaurants, both first-rate places, so I don't think it was the food's fault. The night when I didn't have dinner on top of it I was fine. I'm not sure what to make of this, but I think I would use this with moderate to extreme caution, especially if you were going to be using it under day-to-day circumstances for an extended period. But if you need to make extra-sure that you are sharp for a specific reason on an occasional basis, I will say that it worked very very well for me. One other commenter did say something important: Nothing is free. If you "borrow" energy from your body, you will probably have to pay it back, with some interest. Exercise and healthy eating are the best way of maintaining good energy and focus. That being said, we all need a little extra help now and then, and this definitely delivers, in my experience.

Kitty on 2008-03-13 15:21:39 said:
This stuff tastes like liquid burning death, but the energy is something I haven't felt in awhile. I think it's upped my word count on typing pretty high, I just can't focus for more than two seconds.

jnf on 2008-03-18 16:39:54 said:
I drank one 5 hour energy shot this morning. Prior to taking it, I was extremely sleepy and was having trouble staying awake. After drinking it, I instantly felt more energized. Despite the HORRIBLE taste, I really liked it...at first. Now, a few hours after taking it, I have a slight headache, am having muscle pain, and have crashed. I just took a two hour nap and am not feeling well. The taste made me want to vomit. Could not get the taste out of my mouth for a few hours.

Trent on 2008-03-19 20:48:52 said:
Total placebo for me and my friends. Didn't do a thing. We're big Jolt drinkers though, might have something to do with it not working. Tastes sort of like cough syrup too, ugh.

Max on 2008-03-24 13:37:34 said:
I don't really get all the complaints about the taste, I didn't find it that bad. But 5 hour energy definitely works. But one thing. This thing seemed to take forever to get out of my system. For me it was more like 10 hours of energy and when trying to sleep I was stuck with feelings of extreme nervousness. Definitely only for early in the morning and not mid-day.

Joe on 2008-03-26 23:33:34 said:
Ingredients are similar to Advocare Slam...but Slam has no Phenylanaline and Slam tastes a lot better.

LMAO on 2008-03-28 14:42:43 said:
I love this stuff, it perks me up without making me feel jittery or wired, aside from the minimal amount of caffeine, everything else within reason is all natural. Now don’t get me wrong, some people may have a bad reaction to this stuff but you’d have to be very WEAK i.e. Troubled Mom’s little girl that or she was doing something very wrong like drinking tons of caffeine products along with this shot. The whole 5 hour for me is depending on how active I have been, but regardless it’s left me feeling alert w/o getting a rush like most soda energy drinks. I rather enjoy the flavor from most of the varieties, specially the berry blend, but then again anyone who knows anything about vitamins, knows B vits especially with an amino acid supplement taste very very berry. LOL I made a joke (snort)

chef on 2008-04-09 12:40:10 said:
I've been drinking this energy drink for over 6 months as part of my work out routine. I drink it on an empty stomach just before I go run. I usually walk a quarter mile to warm up my muscles and by then I feel like taking running because I have energy. I don't think this product is a "wake me up and make me jittery" kind of energy drink. I think it provides energy to those who actually exert energy. If you're not using your brain or your muscles, don't expect anything, not even the jitters and I haven't seen anyone get antzy on it either. The taste is fine, it's very tart like a liquid sweetart (berry flavor). There is no crash and I honestly could not tell you if it actually lasts 5 hours. I'm usually doing something and not waiting around for my energy to vanish. I recommend the product highly if you are planning on actually doing something like, exercising, studying, gaming, etc... I'll give it a 9 just to leave room for something to beat it, but nothing has.

ew on 2008-04-09 18:54:51 said:
THIS DRINK DOES NOT WORK! my friend and i each had one and it did nothing. so the next day we each had two, she had a heat flash and then we felt dead afterwards. it should be called "5 minute heat flash" not 5 hour energy. seriously, don't waste your money, just stick to the coffee (coffee doesn't taste like crusty bungholes either)

Candibaby on 2008-04-10 13:16:12 said:
I generally avoid energy drinks because I have anxiety disorder to begin with, and the tweaker-esque feeling that they provide makes me feel certain that my heart will explode - and when that is fueled by the anxiety, well, you can imagine the panic rollercoaster of hell. My job (proofreading) leaves alot to be desired in the energy and interest category, so dozing off can be common. I bought this from our vending machine ($3) to see if it worked. Aside from that disgusting taste (if that's how berries really tasted, Smuckers would be out of business), there was no really "rush" of energy. I'm also lucky enough to avoid the niacin flush. I felt no crash, and I honestly just felt normal. I wish it wasn't as expensive as it is, but I will definitely use it again.

DissertationBoundDeb on 2008-04-11 00:51:17 said:
Well, this is the shizma! As a doctoral student in the dissertation process this little bottle has been my lifeline. There is no crash, the taste is not too bad (Berry better then other), and it got my typing skills up to 75 wpm...REALLY! I like the fact that it has no sugar in it and it really works. Did I tell you it really worked? And fast...I just drank another 2 oz shot and look where I'm at...the price is a little steep...Thank the powers that be at Chaser...this is a doctoral students dream come true!!! And clarity...my mind is FREE!!!!

tired.co-ed on 2008-04-26 17:44:17 said:
This product is awful. I hate coffee, I hate energy drinks, I hate soda so I decided to give this a try because I needed a boost to write a 30 page paper in 24 hours which is already a bad mistake. I took a bottle of it and within three minutes felt so tired and out of it. I tried to lay down for a while to sleep it off but I couldn't fall asleep but I felt physically exhausted. A few hours later I was still feeling groggy. No crash later? Well, I guess that's right. It is an immediate crash.

jizzon on 2008-04-28 16:19:55 said:
i was tired and i didn't wanna go to sleep, so i drank this and i ended up falling asleep 5 minutes after i drank it. And it tastes like turd!

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Disclaimer: The above review is the opinion of the Screaming Energy Drink Reviews editors. Our goal is to help answer questions like, "What does 5-Hour Energy taste like?", "Does it really give you an energy boost?", "Where can I buy 5-Hour Energy?", and "How much does it cost?". We are not employed by the makers of this energy drink, and, therefore cannot answer questions about production, distribution, product returns, reimbursements, or quality control. All nuitrition information and ingredients were copied to the best of our ability from the product packaging, do not rely solely on our site for dietary information.