My question to you is:  why do you feel you need to consume an energy drink daily?  Are you under a lot of stress? Do you get adequate sleep? Do you eat poorly? Do you exercise regularly? 
Instead of reaching for an artificial source of energy, next time consider taking a nap, going for a brisk walk, and/or eating a meal combining protein and complex carbohydrates (turkey sandwich on whole grain bread for eg). While energy drinks probably won't harm you, they are a poor substitute for what your body really requires for optimal health.

Hi Luke, taking any stimulant every day does have some long term effects, but your body generally gets used to the stimulant (that is, the stimulant stops working with regular use), and then you go through a withdrawal when you stop. In this case, the stimulant is cafeine, but according to the ingredient list, the 5-hour energy drink contains only as much caffeine as a strong cup of coffee. So if you get jittery with coffee, or if regular drinking of strong coffee trigggers migraine headaches or other symptoms, you should expect a similar reaction to the energy drink. 

I agree with Carolyn that to generate good energy on an ongoing basis, the healthy alternative is to get adequate sleep, eat well, and do aerobic exercise (preferably outdoors) every morning!

 

Hi Luke,

 

While an energy drink may be helpful to give you that extra boost for a short time, in the long run there can be too much of a good thing.  And not all energy drinks are created equal as the active ingredients that give you the short term boost usually include guarana and sugar which gives you an unnatural high then an energy crash soon after.  Your body also adapts to the liquid stimulant 

 

Best suggestion?  Think long term healthy lifestyle to support your overall health and not short term solutions. Nutrition: Look to foods and supplements that give you ongoing energy throughout the day - mainly B vitamins and amino acids.  Exercise:  Depending on your personality and what type of exercise regimen you can maintain - weights, yoga, tai chi, etc.  Usually after a good workout, your energy is increased and you sleep more soundly.

Take care,

 

Lydia

I did not see any reference to the potential benefits of Five Hour Energy drinks for assisting in the reduction of LDL cholesterol and trigylcerides. Combined with regular use of psyllium fiber and oat bran, plus quality fish oils and mono-unsaturated fats to enhance HDL, all my levels are great, with an exceptional ratio. For normal individuals merely trying to maintain optimum cholesterol profiles, the amount of Niacin present seems to be a nice alternative to using prescription Nia-Span, which has to be taken at night, with aspirin, and which has dosage titration considerations. I prefer the energy drink, since I can enjoy the energy during the day without experiencing insominia. Also, the amount of Niacin in the drink (150% of RDI) does not cause any of the "flushing" side effects for me (although the Five Hour Energy bottle does mention the possibility). Even with my poor caffeine tolerance, it does not make me feel jittery or nervous, and since I get the sugar-free type, there is no problem with "crash" or significant impact on insulin levels. In response to the concept of "why do you need an energy drink if you eat right and exercise?" I must respond that this is, regretfully, typical of most health care providers. We tend to believe we are only speaking to those in perfect health, and need to get in the habit of adapting reponses to a varied population. Medicine is not one-size-fits-all, and for people with chronic fatigue issues (mine are from Lupus and chronic thyroiditis), these drinks, used properly, can be very helpful in attempting to maintain a normal lifestyle and activity level. Sometimes, a gentle assist can get the engines running, resulting in the ability to initiate and perform that much needed exercise. With extra energy and activity, one might eat less, and it doesn't hurt that this drink contains L-carnitine, which may assist in fat burning. HOWEVER, they are NOT okay everyone, and some people should avoid all energy enhancements, including plain-old coffee!  ALL supplements should be shown to your doctor before using, to rule out health issues that might be causing your fatigue, and to consider their safety for YOU and your INDIVIDUAL health issues. If your doctor won't take the time to read the label and consider your individual needs, find another one "STAT." I agree that hydration, hopefully in the form of water, is crucial during use of these drinks, as it should be anyway!!! Now, talk to your doctor...I am merely a licensed health care provider (therapist), and the above post is my personal opinion, NOT meant as a substitute for a good doctor's advice.

I did not see any reference to the potential benefits of Five Hour Energy drinks for assisting in the reduction of LDL cholesterol and trigylcerides. Combined with regular use of psyllium fiber and oat bran, plus quality fish oils and mono-unsaturated fats to enhance HDL, all my levels are great, with an exceptional ratio. For normal individuals merely trying to maintain optimum cholesterol profiles, the amount of Niacin present seems to be a nice alternative to using prescription Nia-Span, which has to be taken at night, with aspirin, and which has dosage titration considerations. I prefer the energy drink, since I can enjoy the energy during the day without experiencing insominia. Also, the amount of Niacin in the drink (150% of RDI) does not cause any of the "flushing" side effects for me (although the Five Hour Energy bottle does mention the possibility). Even with my poor caffeine tolerance, it does not make me feel jittery or nervous, and since I get the sugar-free type, there is no problem with "crash" or significant impact on insulin levels. In response to the concept of "why do you need an energy drink if you eat right and exercise?" I must respond that this is, regretfully, typical of most health care providers. We tend to believe we are only speaking to those in perfect health, and need to get in the habit of adapting reponses to a varied population. Medicine is not one-size-fits-all, and for people with chronic fatigue issues (mine are from Lupus and chronic thyroiditis), these drinks, used properly, can be very helpful in attempting to maintain a normal lifestyle and activity level. Sometimes, a gentle assist can get the engines running, resulting in the ability to initiate and perform that much needed exercise. With extra energy and activity, one might eat less, and it doesn't hurt that this drink contains L-carnitine, which may assist in fat burning. HOWEVER, they are NOT okay everyone, and some people should avoid all energy enhancements, including plain-old coffee!  ALL supplements should be shown to your doctor before using, to rule out health issues that might be causing your fatigue, and to consider their safety for YOU and your INDIVIDUAL health issues. If your doctor won't take the time to read the label and consider your individual needs, find another one "STAT." I agree that hydration, hopefully in the form of water, is crucial during use of these drinks, as it should be anyway!!! Now, talk to your doctor...I am merely a licensed health care provider (therapist), and the above post is my personal opinion, NOT meant as a substitute for a good doctor's advice.

I understand that sleep and good nutrition is vital but to some its just not an option.  I am in the Army, heading to Afganistan and while I am in good shape, do my best to always eat raw and natural its just not an option, as for sleep well we don't get enough. so can some one tell me is this 5 hour energy drink okay to drink daily.  I hate coffee, and this is feels like a good way to keep going.  not to extend over tired days but to endure them.  Respectfully, Army Bratt

5 hour energy has 8600% b12 and high levels of others.  Seems like you could become dependant on them, maybe the 8600% of B12 is hard on the kidneys and liver, maybe its stored in cells in your brain and make you slower after a few years of drinking it.  The best way is to keep researching it on the net.  It will be hard to find real answers because its marketing and Im sure they want the product to sell.  Try finding a way to manually take excessive vitamins for energy rather than this drink.  I dont know the answer at all.

I'm in the Army also and I drink the 5 hour. I don't do it daily, only on extended road trips. I'm not a Dr., and there could be some hidden agenda here, but to me everything seems pretty to the point. No sugar, is a true statement. No crash after, is also true. I'll take them while driving in the morning, and I actually feel ok (better than ok) after the 5 hour period has passed. The biggest thing here is the coffee comparison. Think of this like you think of alcohol. You can sip on a beer for about 15 mins a feel it come on slightly, but that person that takes a shot has taken a more concentrated dose so it all hits them at once. If u drink a beer straight you will get the same effect as a shot. But who can drink a cup of coffee straight (usually it's too hot unless you drink it cold). So I'm guessing if you did drink a cup of coffee straight, u'd get the same feeling as the 5 hour energy drink. I'm not really a coffee drinker, and this 5 hour drink could be bad for me, but I once saw someone at work with a gallon sized coffee mug (no lie, a gallon sized). He kept  sipping on that thing throughout the morning. Now I don't know how concentrated his coffee was, but I'm guessing normal strength. Like you all said earlier, he probably, eventually got immune to this stuff and was compensating by drinking more. So let's say they're both of equal health or equally bad. I'd rather have 2 small, five hours then 2 cups of coffee. Plus, since I'm drinking the 5 hour drink at one time, I don't need another until 5 hours later. Since people don't drink a cup of  coffee straight, usually they have at least 1 large  cup, or 2 normals cups. Just my opinion. Thx 

Hello, I have a common blood disease called GOUT, which is an excessive amount of Uric Acid, or Sodium Urate, in the blood.  The cause of my disease is my bodies inability to flush Uric Acid through the liver.  I notice that when I use 5-hour, my Gout flares up, probably from the excess B vitimins & amino acids.  Other then that,, the 5-hour works great, almost immediately, and seems to keep me focused for days.  Remember, read the directions and only drink HALF the bottle.

All I know is the energy boost works for me; but there seems to be maybe an even greater benefit.  My cholesterol readings have always been in the 220's.  My last blood test reading was 181 after I started taking the energy shots.  Notice I say energy shots, I get them at Family Dollar for .99 cents.  I compared ingredients with 5 hour energy....EXACTLY the same (at 1/3 the price).  DT

I've had a 5 hour everyday for 3 months, and I'm ok.  I was a daily starbucks buyer, and that is too expensieve and time consuming.  I was getting a 12oz latte chuck full of suryp flavor. milk and of course double shot of coffee.  For me, the benifits of 5-hour  REALLY out weigh the the line at starbucks, the sugar in the flavor suryp, and the tummy ache from drinking all that coffee and milk every day.  In my anatomy class in college, we learned that extra vitamins your body doesn't need just get peed out.  My boss at work drinks 3 - 16oz carbinated energy drinks daily and he's in his 40's.  I think comparitvely, 1 - 5 hour daily is WAY BETTER than starbucks latte daily or even 1 of those 16oz energy drinks.

Thank you, I agree, 5-hour drinks are such a great, more effective, healthier alternative to coffee or other energy drinks.

I currently drink 2-3 5-hour energy shots a day and have for about 1 yr now. I have never had any bad side affects up until the last couple weeks which may not even be linked to the shots. I have noticed that my chest seems to feel full at times and makes it harder for me to breath and when that happens I get a weird feeling in my head. I feel like I have to stand up to get it back under control. I have become addicted to them but have promised myself and my hubby that I am going to try to break myself from this addiction this weekend! Wish me luck!!!

Yes, if you are taking prescription, or pregnant or cannot use stimulants.

Anything used on a long term will affect you. If you need that extra burst of energy, it is better to get it naturally, by exercising, getting enough sleep and a proper diet

What if you can't get the exercise, can't afford to eat "right," and work a job that demands more hours of your day causing you not to be able to get "enough" sleep? These are the stipulations to this question. I'm afraid you professionals are not taking into consideration that these people want to know if the 5 hour energy shot, not the energy drink, is harmful or beneficial over long term use. They don't want your professional opinion on what they should do instead of using the shot, and that's all you professionals have given them. In 5 minutes of researching online, I've found the information on what's contained in the shots, and you could as well, and use your medical knowledge to give them an adequate profile on risk versus benefit of the shots. Anything else is just asthetic nonsense, and you're basically just pushing aside the question. 

I've been drinking 5 hour energy shots for a year now. I drink about a third of it every 2 or 3 hours and seems to last the 12 hours I'm at work. I don't exercise on a regular basis and sleep about 6 hours a day on the 4 days in a row I work and sleep about 8 hours on my 4 days off work. I feel even on my days off with adequate sleep I still need the 5 hour energy shot so I don't fell fatigued. It didn't seem like I had any type of side affects until I stopped taking energy shot cold turkey. I stopped drinking it to cut out caffeine for the new year. Well the next day as expected, I had a headache. But this time it was much more worse than when I stopped drinking coffee 3 years ago. I had to take 1000mgs Tylenol and 975mgs of aspirin as if I had a migraine and also had to use cold packs on my head to help reduce pain even more. Usually when I would stop drinking coffee cold turkey, I just get a headache for a day or two. But this time stopping drinking those 5 hour energy shots, I has a severe headache everyday that would last for about 10 hours. The headache would start around 1p.m. to around 9 p.m. The last 5 days of 7 days I had a slight fever accompanying those headaches. I'm guessing that my body was accustomed to those high doses of vitamin B and had to try to reconfigure itself to make due without caffeine and high doses of vitamin B. If I don't get a headache today, it will be the second day without a headache.