The Chronicle of a Negative Experience with the 5-Hour Energy Drink

How is your 2:30 feeling? Says the guy from the 5-hour energy commercial. This product hit the market and made millions. Most people has that 2:30 feeling and this energy shot was intended to give you that extra boost to get you through the rest of your day. This 2-ounce bottle of 5-hour energy contains a blend of B-vitamins, amino acids and essential nutrients. It contains zero sugar, zero herbal stimulants and four calories (“5-hour energy”, 2013). 5-hour energy compares its caffeine to a cup of coffee but presumes its better because it will last longer. Taking a shot of this energy drink boosts your energy within minutes taking away that tired and crabby feeling most get in the middle of the day.

All-star athlete Bo Jackson is a retired American baseball and football player who is the only athlete to be named an All-Star and greatest athlete in two major American sports and can surely can vouch for 5-hour energy drink. According to 5-hour energy website Bo Jackson explained his feeling after his time taking this energy shot. “One day before I was on my way to play golf, I stopped to get some bandages for my fingers … and I got it and tried it and went out and played golf and for six hours I still had energy. My round of golf sucked, but it helped with my energy level tremendously” (“5-hour energy”, 2013). Jackson further explained how the energy drink gives him a “pick me up” in times when he feels like his energy is not at its best and how now he doesn’t have the energy that he used to back when he played ball.

Unlike Bo Jackson and his great experience with 5-hour energy, the New York Times has other feelings about the energy drink. In a report from New York Times, over the last four years federal officials has cited 13 deaths that could possibly have something to do with 5-hour energy. This harmless energy drink as portrayed publically is not so harmless. Since 2009 this energy drink has been mentioned in 90 filings with the FDA. There were at least 30 or more serious life threatening incidents like heart attacks and an abortion. Although these incidents were filed doesn’t mean that 5-hour energy was the cause. 5-hour energy compares the amount of caffeine in the drink to an eight-ounce premium cup of coffee, but no study actually shows the definite amount of caffeine in a shot. About 215 milligrams was guesstimated in a recent article from Consumer Reports but yet no one really knows. But with rating like this most might want to reconsider before taking this energy shot.

The chief executive of Living Essentials Manoj Bhargava has declined to remark on the filings against the energy product out of hope that reporter’s wont shine a negative light on their company. The company then released a statement saying that they marketed the product for hardworking adults who need that extra push and not for women who are with child and children under the age of 12. But still no one has released reports on actual amounts of caffeine really used.

With me having a bad experience with 5-Hour Energy I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. After taking the pink lemonade flavored energy shot my stomach felt nauseated, my heart started to race, and I became jittery. The feeling was horrible and I felt sick instead of that kick of energy and alertness I should have endured. Although I had a bad experience with the energy shot I have also read that it works for others. “Different strokes for different folks” I do believe it has different effects on people but I will never take it again.