# 5 Hour Energy **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [August 10, 2011, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193 "2011-08-10T13:53:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/21 "2011-08-11T04:31:42Z")
Works as advertised for me. I buy it at Costco in the 24 packs. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/22 "2011-08-11T04:37:21Z")
I tried it a couple of times on a long road trip. Didn’t do a thing. I’m sticking with coffee. ---
**Author:** ![nikonikosuru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5f8ce5/32.png) [@nikonikosuru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nikonikosuru)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/23 "2011-08-11T04:42:27Z")
I tried an off-brand one from Aldi’s. Same size bottle, was berry flavored. Was getting tired of the Mountain Dew for my morning caffeine so I thought I’d give it a go. That shit was NASTY!!! I sipped it at first and then went straight to chugging after I realized how bad it tasted. All it did was give me an upset stomach and make me feel worse than before I had taken it. Never again. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/24 "2011-08-11T05:12:23Z")
> [@jamiemcgarry](#): > > No, the commercial says it has “about as much caffeine as a cup of premium coffee”, which would be in line with 80mg. Definitely not five cups. Huh, I must have been thinking about something else then. If that’s the case, then why not just have a cup of coffee? ---
**Author:** ![Silophant](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a698b9/32.png) [@Silophant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silophant)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/25 "2011-08-11T05:20:15Z")
A cup of coffee can’t be slammed in a couple of seconds like a 2 oz. energy shot. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/26 "2011-08-11T05:23:48Z")
> [@Silophant](#): > > A cup of coffee can’t be slammed in a couple of seconds like a 2 oz. energy shot. If it’s iced it can. Just sayin’. (And much better tasting IMO) ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/27 "2011-08-11T05:30:10Z")
Caffeine is the only ingredient of any effectiveness in 5-Hour Energy, IMHO. Sure, you get a caffeine perk as you would from drinking a cup of coffee. The additional crap they throw in there, the buttload of B-vitamins, etc. is to enhance the “5-Hour” _marketing image_ but they have a fairly insignificant effect on anything, really. Placebo-effect results may come into play for some people but caffeine is the only thing perking anyone up with this shit. \*Edited to add: Insignificant effect on anything but making one naueous, that is. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/28 "2011-08-11T05:30:59Z")
Or you could just slam a can of coke or pepsi. (Or Dr. Pepper. God, I love Dr. Pepper, but caffeine-free isn’t always easy to find) ---
**Author:** ![EvilTOJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee59a6/32.png) [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/29 "2011-08-11T06:32:41Z")
Pfft you people just don’t have a _tolerance_, man! Being up all night I drink coffee like it’s nothing, my caffeine tolerance is through the roof. I like the 5 hour energy drinks before a night of actual drinking, so I don’t fall asleep so soon. The Vitamin B also helps keep the hangovers at bay. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/30 "2011-08-11T15:01:55Z")
> [@VinylTurnip](#): > > Along with around 80mg of caffeine, unless you drink the decaffeinated version. I prefer shoving NoDoz up my ass, personally. 80 mg is about 1/3 the caffeine in coffee. That’s how much is in one regular Coke. Here is a [caffeine chart](http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm) 5 Hour Energy isn’t listed. I read elsewhere it has about 40 mg. Also, the amount of niacin is 1/10 of what is recommended for triglyceride control. It isn’t actually niacin, but niacinamide which doesn’t cause the flushing one experiences with niacin. There certainly may be adverse drug interactions that should be discussed with one’s doctor before using any OTC medicine or herbal supplements. People think that because something can be purchased without supervision, it must be ok to take. If you take perscription medications PLEASE ask your healthcare provider about anything not prescribed before swallowing it. ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/31 "2011-08-11T15:53:50Z")
Re: upset stomach - I know if I take a big B vitamin supplement on an empty stomach, it’ll ruin my day. I’ll have an upset stomach for hours. Not so if I take one with food. Did those who experienced stomach upset pound one on an empty stomach? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/32 "2011-08-11T16:01:06Z")
I like the stuff. I don’t use it that much, but in a pinch it comes in handy. Doesn’t last for 5 hours with me though, more like 2 or 3 ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/33 "2011-08-11T19:38:44Z")
You’re supposed to drink it? I’ve been applying it directly to my forehead. ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/34 "2011-08-11T19:43:18Z")
I find it very useful for the specific fact that it does have a megadose of Vitamin B. Since I started taking it I have been able to discontinue my B12 shots. The shots would cost less, but I would have much more inconvenience in getting them. My doc is good with me taking them in place of the shots, as was my surgeon. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/35 "2011-08-11T19:47:29Z")
> [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](#): > > You’re supposed to drink it? I’ve been applying it directly to my forehead. Ha! 😃 Probably a better use of the crap! ---
**Author:** ![AndyLee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@AndyLee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AndyLee)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/36 "2011-08-11T23:15:20Z")
Maybe I’m just used to coffee. Six ounces has about 100mg of caffeine. I drink the Venti size coffee from Starbucks with a shot of espresso each morning and I don’t feel anything. The five hour energy drink has never done anything for me. You could probably just take a No Doze, I know the maximum strength has 200mg in it. Once I ran out of coffee and had a caffeine headache from skipping it one morning and I went to the newstand where I work and they sold a packet so I just got that pill instead. Worked just as well. ---
**Author:** ![WhyNot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c77e96/32.png) [@WhyNot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WhyNot)\ **Post date:** [August 11, 2011, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/37 "2011-08-11T23:44:42Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > 80 mg is about 1/3 the caffeine in coffee. That’s how much is in one regular Coke. > Here is a [caffeine chart](http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm) Coffee is ~100mg…per serving. A serving is still, laughably, 6 oz. Nurses’ coffee serving size may vary. 😉 > [@](#): > > Also, the amount of niacin is 1/10 of what is recommended for triglyceride control. It isn’t actually niacin, but niacinamide which doesn’t cause the flushing one experiences with niacin. I did not know that, thanks! I did wonder why I don’t get a flush from these things… > [@](#): > > There certainly may be adverse drug interactions that should be discussed with one’s doctor before using any OTC medicine or herbal supplements. > People think that because something can be purchased without supervision, it must be ok to take. If you take perscription medications PLEASE ask your healthcare provider about anything not prescribed before swallowing it. Word. And I’ll add that includes your herbalist - if you’re taking herbs, check with someone who knows herbs. If she’s got you on panax and guarana and yerba mate and ephedra, you should NOT be taking 5 Hour Energy. (You should also probably find a new herbalist, 'cause that would be a heck of a harsh combo!) ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/38 "2011-08-12T05:38:11Z")
> [@WhyNot](#): > > Coffee is ~100mg…per serving. A serving is still, laughably, 6 oz. Nurses’ coffee serving size may vary. 😉 > I did not know that, thanks! I did wonder why I don’t get a flush from these things… > Word. And I’ll add that includes your herbalist - if you’re taking herbs, check with someone who knows herbs. If she’s got you on panax and guarana and yerba mate and ephedra, you should NOT be taking 5 Hour Energy. (You should also probably find a new herbalist, 'cause that would be a heck of a harsh combo!) > [@](#): > > Coffee, generic brewed 8 oz. 133 (range: 102-200) (16 oz. = 266) > Starbucks Brewed Coffee (Grande) 16 oz. 320 > Einstein Bros. regular coffee 16 oz. 300 > Dunkin’ Donuts regular coffee 16 oz. 206 > Starbucks Vanilla Latte (Grande) 16 oz. 150 > Coffee, generic instant 8 oz. 93 (range: 27-173) > Coffee, generic decaffeinated 8 oz. 5 (range: 3-12) > Starbucks Espresso, doppio 2 oz. 150 > Starbucks Frappuccino Blended Coffee Beverages, average 9.5 oz. 115 > Starbucks Espresso, solo 1 oz. 75 > Einstein Bros. Espresso 1 oz. 75 > Espresso, generic 1 oz. 40 (range: 30-90) There’s a wide range of caffeine in various drinks too. I thought most generic coffee had about 150 mg per 8 oz cup. From the chart, it looks like it can be anywhere for 100 to 175 per 8 ozs. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/39 "2011-08-12T05:45:07Z")
I used to drink Jolt Cola to cram while in college, didn’t affect me as bad as this 5 hour stuff. Q ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2011, 5:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193/40 "2011-08-12T05:52:31Z")
> [@picunurse](#): > > 80 mg is about 1/3 the caffeine in coffee. That’s how much is in one regular Coke. > Here is a [caffeine chart](http://www.cspinet.org/new/cafchart.htm) 5 Hour Energy isn’t listed. I read elsewhere it has about 40 mg. > Also, the amount of niacin is 1/10 of what is recommended for triglyceride control. It isn’t actually niacin, but niacinamide which doesn’t cause the flushing one experiences with niacin. > > There certainly may be adverse drug interactions that should be discussed with one’s doctor before using any OTC medicine or herbal supplements. > People think that because something can be purchased without supervision, it must be ok to take. If you take perscription medications PLEASE ask your healthcare provider about anything not prescribed before swallowing it. How much caffeine does a cup of coffee contain? Caffeine content of tea and coffee As caffeine is naturally present in plants such as tea and coffee, the caffeine content can vary sharply. A short table listing the caffeine content of various types of drink is set out below. It should once more be emphasised that the content per type and also according to the production of the drink may differ sharply. Coffee type/drink Size of cup Approximate caffeine content (in mg) Instant (heaped teaspoon) Any size 50-60 Filter coffee Medium (125 ml) 60-100 Coffee filter machine Medium (125 ml) 60-100 Espresso Small (80 ml) 70-80 Decaffeinated coffee Medium- large (125-200 ml) 2-4 Tea Medium (125 ml) 30-60 Coke 330 ml can 40-45 (in accordance with S. Papadopoulos (1993) Nutrition & Food Sciences 1, 28-33) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/5-hour-energy/592193.md?page=3)