Introduction:
Will 5-Hour Energy Affect a Drug Test? Insights and Analysis
In today’s fast-paced world, energy drinks like 5-Hour Energy have become a staple for many seeking a quick boost in stamina and focus. However, for individuals undergoing drug testing, whether for employment, sports, or medical reasons, concerns arise about whether ingredients in these popular energy shots can lead to a false positive result. This article delves into the composition of 5-Hour Energy, how drug tests work, and the likelihood of these beverages affecting the outcomes of such tests.
Composition of 5-Hour Energy:
5-Hour Energy is a concentrated energy shot that contains a blend of B-vitamins, amino acids, and caffeine. It’s designed to provide a quick and sustained energy boost without the sugar crash associated with many other energy drinks. The key ingredients include:
- Caffeine: Approximately 200mg per shot, equivalent to about two cups of coffee.
- B-Vitamins: Including B3 (niacin), B6, and B12, which play a role in energy production in the body.
- Amino Acids: Such as taurine and L-tyrosine, which are often included for their supposed mental and physical performance benefits.
Understanding Drug Tests:
Drug tests are designed to detect specific substances or their metabolites (breakdown products) in the body, indicating the use of illegal drugs, prescription medications, or other substances. The most common types of drug tests include urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests. These tests typically screen for substances such as:
- Amphetamines (e.g., methamphetamine)
- Cannabinoids (THC)
- Cocaine
- Opiates (e.g., heroin, morphine)
- Phencyclidine (PCP)
- Certain prescription drugs
Does 5-Hour Energy Affect Drug Test Results?
The primary concern for individuals consuming 5-Hour Energy before a drug test is whether the ingredients could cause a false positive result. Based on the components of 5-Hour Energy, here are the key considerations:
- Caffeine: Caffeine is not a substance that is commonly tested for in standard drug tests. While high levels of caffeine can be detected in the body, they are not considered indicative of illegal drug use or abuse.
- B-Vitamins: B-Vitamins are essential nutrients and are not screened for in drug tests. High doses of certain B-Vitamins can alter the color of urine, but this change is not associated with false positives for drug use.
- Amino Acids: The amino acids found in 5-Hour Energy are not on the list of substances typically screened for during drug testing. They are considered safe and do not metabolize into any compounds that would mimic illegal drugs.
- Other Ingredients: Other components in 5-Hour Energy, such as preservatives and flavorings, are unlikely to interfere with drug test results.
In the bustling world of dietary supplements and energy boosters, 5-Hour Energy shots have carved out a significant niche for themselves. Promising a quick, convenient boost without the crash associated with sugar-heavy energy drinks, these shots have become a staple for many seeking to power through a long day or night. However, a common grievance among users is the distinctive, often unpleasant taste of 5-Hour Energy. This article delves into the reasons behind this less-than-palatable flavor, exploring the ingredients, formulation challenges, and the trade-offs made for efficacy over taste.
The taste of 5-hour Energy shots, or any other energy shot or drink, can be perceived as unpleasant by some people due to several factors:
- High Concentration of Active Ingredients: 5-hour Energy shots contain a high concentration of vitamins, amino acids, and caffeine. Ingredients like B-vitamins and certain amino acids have strong, distinctive flavors that many find unappealing. The concentration of these ingredients is what makes the shot effective but can also contribute to its strong taste.
- Lack of Sugar: Many 5-hour Energy products are sugar-free or low in sugar, which is unlike many sweetened beverages that people are accustomed to. The absence of sugar means the natural bitterness of the active ingredients is not masked by sweetness, making the taste more noticeable and less palatable to some.
- Artificial Sweeteners and Flavors: To improve taste without adding sugar, artificial sweeteners and flavors are often used. While these can add a more acceptable flavor to the drink, they can also leave a distinctive aftertaste that some people find unpleasant.
- Personal Taste Preferences: Taste is subjective, and individual sensitivity to certain flavors varies greatly. Some people may be more sensitive to the bitter or medicinal tastes present in energy shots.
- Formulation Challenges: Creating a compact, highly concentrated energy shot that is also pleasing to the palate is challenging. The formulation needs to balance effectiveness (in terms of energy-boosting ingredients) with taste, which can lead to compromises that might not appeal to everyone.
5 Hour Energy Shot: A Comprehensive Review with Helpful Information
Need a quick energy boost but don’t feel like downing a 16 fl.oz energy drink?
5 Hour Energy Shots have you covered, delivering all the potential of an energy drink in a 1.93 fl.oz, sugar-free package.
But how exactly does it fare against other more conventional energy drinks?
In short, 5 Hour Energy Shots are a great pick-me-up and will help in getting you through those late-night crunch sessions or an afternoon energy slump.
However, they don’t taste great, so it’s not something you can enjoy casually and they probably aren’t right for everyone.
For a more detailed review, read on to find out everything you need to know about 5 Hour Energy Shots, from ingredients to taste, and if the drink is actually as good as it seems.
Let’s get started…
5 Hour Energy Nutrition Facts
Firstly, here’s a table comparing the nutritional value of 5 Hour Energy Shots with some of its competitors.
| Standard Value | 5 Hour Shots (1.93fl.oz) | Reign (16fl.oz) |
Bang (16fl.oz) |
Red Bull (16fl.oz) |
| Energy | 4 calories | 10 calories | 0 calories |
210 calories |
| Protein | 0g | 0g | 0g | 0g |
| Fat (Of which Saturated) |
0g (0g) |
0g (0g) |
0g (0g) |
0g (0g) |
| Carbohydrate (Of which Sugars) |
0g (0g) |
3g (0g) |
0g (0g) |
56g (52g) |
| Sodium | 15mg | 220mg | 40mg | 210mg |
| Potassium | 15mg | 80mg | – | – |
| Caffeine | 200mg | 300mg | 300mg | 151mg |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 30mg | 21.6mg | 5mg | 43mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 50mg | 2.0mg | 0.5mg | 4.0mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 500μg | 6.25μg | 1.5μg | 9.6μg |
| Choline | 2mg | – | – | – |
| Vitamin C | – | – | 27mg | – |
| Magnesium | – | – | 5mg | – |
| Calcium | – | – | 5mg | – |
Overall, the first thing you probably notice is the size of 5 Hour Energy Shots, which are a lot smaller than regular energy drinks (1.93 fl.oz vs. the usual range of 8.4 to 16 fl.oz).
This means that, while you can usually take anywhere between 10 to 45 minutes to finish a regular energy drink, you can be done with a 5 Hour Energy Shot in mere seconds.
Due to how quickly you can down a shot, its effects on your body will show almost instantly (when it gets absorbed into your system), instead of a gradual ramp-up like most other energy drinks.
For context, it’s basically the same as having a shot of whiskey instead of nursing a beer for half an hour; the former is a lot more likely to get you buzzing sooner.
So if you’re an energy drink enthusiast who’s into the casual enjoyment, taste, and hydration aspect of energy drinks, 5-Hour Energy Shots might not be the best choice for you.
On the other hand, if you just want a quick and instant boost to get your work done, 5 Hour Energy Shots is probably right up your alley.
If the talk of alcohol has got you going, how about taking a look at my article for the best energy drinks to mix alcohol with? It’s definitely an eye-opener.
5 Hour Energy Shot Ingredients
Now that you know what it does nutritionally, here are the ingredients for 5 Hour Energy Shots.
- Purified Water
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sucralose
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- EDTA
- Taurine
- Glucuronic Acid
- Malic Acid
- N-Actyel L-Tyrosine
- L-Phenylalanine
- Caffeine
- Citicoline
How Much Caffeine Is In a 5 Hour Energy Shot?
Each serving of 5 Hour Energy (1.93 fl.oz) has 200mg of caffeine.
Oddly enough, for a caffeinated product that boasts 5 hours of energy, 5 Hour Energy Shots aren’t actually the strongest energy drinks in the market, as brands like Reign and Bang have up to 300mg of caffeine.
However, as stated earlier, 5 Hour Energy Shots have a lot less liquid content in them than most other energy drinks.
So from a caffeine per volume perspective, 5 Hour Energy has roughly 103mg per fl.oz, while drinks like Reign and Bang have only 18.75mg per fl.oz.
Essentially, it’s a lot of caffeine in a much smaller package, which could explain why its effects are delivered to your body exceptionally fast.
Even if you’re used to caffeinated beverages and have a decent caffeine metabolism, there’s a pretty big difference between having 300mg over 30 minutes and having 200mg in mere seconds.
So be sure you know what you’re getting into before having a 5 Hour Energy, especially if you’re new to the whole energy drink scene.
For reference, the FDA also recommends you limit your daily caffeine intake to a maximum of 400mg, as any more might lead to a caffeine overdose which can lead to notable side effects, namely:
- Insomnia
- Anxiousness
- Increased Heart Rate
- Digestive Issues
- Nausea
- Headaches
But, as long as you only have 5 Hour Energy Shots in moderation and not too often, you should be able to avoid the effects of having too much caffeine in your system.
Do 5 Hour Energy Shots Have Sugar?
5 Hour Energy Shots don’t contain sugar and are sugar-free, but they do contain artificial sweeteners, namely sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
5 Hour Energy Shots are sugar-free, so they shouldn’t have any negative impact on you from a dietary perspective which is a welcomed plus considering many energy drinks are high in sugar.
Besides that, you also don’t have to worry about a sugar-induced crash after having a 5 Hour Energy Shot since none of its ingredients will actively raise your blood sugar level.
As for the drink itself causing an energy crash due to its ingredients, that’s a discussion for further down the line.
While 5 Hour Energy Shots are free of sugar, they do contain artificial sweeteners, namely, the zero-calorie sweeteners sucralose and acesulfame potassium.
Although I find it pretty strange that sweeteners are included in such a small serving of energy drink, it might just be there to counteract the bitterness of caffeine.
As zero-calorie sweeteners, both ingredients won’t have a nutritional impact on your diet and, while there’s still a lot we don’t know about artificial sweeteners, they have been approved by the FDA.
Hence, as long as you don’t overdo it on the 5 Hour energy shots, you should be perfectly fine from any potential side effects.
B-Vitamin Content in 5 Hour Energy Shots
5-Hour Energy Shots have a staggering amount of B-Vitamins, with the Vitamin B12 content going up to 20,000% of the daily recommended value.
That said, all the B-Vitamins present in 5 Hour Energy Shots are well within their tolerable upper intake level, so there’s not really a risk of overdosing.
Considering B-Vitamins are more nutritious than anything else, the high amount in 5 Hour Energy will help you with a well-rounded diet, but it won’t give you much in terms of energy.
Here’s a table showing the B vitamins in 5 Hour Energy:
| Amount per serving of 5 Hour Energy Drink | Tolerable Upper Intake Level | |
| Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 30mg | 35mg |
| Vitamin B6 | 40mg | 100mg |
| Vitamin B12 | 500µg | N/A |
Do 5 Hour Energy Shots Really Work?
In terms of keeping you awake, 5 Hour Energy does exactly that by mainlining caffeine into your system in a short amount of time, giving you that boost you need as quickly as possible.
Essentially, 5 Hour Energy Shots work through caffeine, a pretty handy stimulant that blocks the adenosine receptors in your brain and prevents the onset of fatigue from setting in.
Caffeine does a lot of great stuff, from improving psychomotor performance to preventing you from falling asleep in the middle of a lecture, so it’s no surprise why coffee and energy drinks are as popular as they are.
So, 5 Hour Energy Shots do work, although I personally don’t think shotgunning that much caffeine in mere seconds would do your nerves any favors.
But, if you need an immediate boost, 5 Hour Energy Shots will definitely give you the energy you desire.
Are 5 Hour Energy Shots Bad For You?
As long as you have them in moderation and only when you need to, 5 Hour Energy Shots will give you the boost you need with minimal side effects, and won’t have any serious health consequences.
That said, if you happen to be caffeine-sensitive, I would suggest staying away from 5 Hour Energy Shots as they deliver a large amount of caffeine to your system fairly quickly.
Besides that, metabolizing 200mg of caffeine in a short period of time also means the effects are more likely to wear off sooner, as compared to having a constant intake of a regular energy drink.
There are also some reports of 5 Hour Energy causing symptoms of crashes, most likely due to the caffeine leaving the system.
So whilst you’re free from sugar crashes, 5 Hour Energy apparently does cause some strain a few hours after having the drink, not from a sugar crash but a caffeine crash.
Apart from that, exceeding two shots of 5 Hour Energy day is a pretty bad idea, and so is mixing the drink with other caffeinated beverages such as coffee, as doing so would definitely risk a caffeine overdose.
So, my advice is to know your limits and be sure to watch your caffeine intake so that you don’t end up jittery throughout the day.
Hour Energy Shots Alternatives
If you don’t think 5 Hour Energy Shots will do it for you, here are some regular energy drinks that you might find more enticing:
- Celsius
- Bang
- Reign
- Rockstar
- C4 Energy
- Xtend
- Xyience
There are also some awesome powdered options such as:
- Advocare Spark
- Zipfizz
- REIZE (my favorite)
5 Hour Energy Shot Review (7 out of 10)
Overall, I’m giving 5 Hour Energy Shots a solid 7 out of 10. It definitely does its job of giving a big boost in a short time, but its high caffeine content and average taste knock some points off.
5 Hour Energy Shots are the kind of drinks for when you’re on a mission to get something done. It’s definitely not something you’ll enjoy casually, but you can’t go wrong if you need energy quickly.
While 5 Hour Energy Shots are efficient, their bitter taste will definitely not be well-received by many. Plus, if you’re caffeine-sensitive, this is definitely not the caffeinated product you should be having.
On that note, 5 Hour Energy also doesn’t provide a lot of actual hydration, so you might want to look to other energy drinks with a much larger volume of liquid if you’re looking to quench your thirst.
Is Red Bull Better Than 5 Hour Energy?
Between Red Bull and 5 Hour Energy, it depends on what you’re looking for. If you want to have an energy drink casually, Red Bull’s for you, and if you need energy fast and don’t care much about taste, 5 Hour Energy is probably your pick.
The biggest difference between Red Bull and 5 Hour Energy is that Red Bull happens to be a casual drink and has a somewhat decent taste in comparison, which makes it a lot more enjoyable to drink.
On the other hand, Red Bull also contains more calories due to its sugar content, which is pretty bad from a nutritional perspective.
5 Hour Energy does beat out Red Bull by its sheer ability to deliver caffeine quickly, but that’s a double-edged sword considering not everyone wants (or can handle) that amount of caffeine in a short period.
In any case, it’s up to you to decide which energy drink is better for you, and if you need some way to find out which energy drink is the best option, I have an article written on that as well.
How Much Is a 5 Hour Energy Shot?
The usual price for a 24-pack 5 Hour Energy is around $39, depending on where you get it and if there’s shipping involved.
5 Hour Energy Shots are definitely pricier than your average energy drink, especially from a sheer volume perspective.
Even then, it does make up for it by having just as much caffeine, albeit in a smaller package.
Considering the price and caffeine content, you definitely shouldn’t be buying 5 Hour Energy as an energy drink to enjoy.
On the other hand, you’ll find much more success using it as a panic button when you really need to be at your best and focused for a short period of time.
That said, if you want to find some energy drinks that are more affordable with a bit more hydration value, I’ve written an article on just that.
How Does 5 Hour Energy Taste?
Considering that it’s mostly concentrated caffeine, 5 Hour Energy Drink tastes as well as you expect, which is to say, bitter and not all that great.
If you were expecting something similar to the sugary goodness of a Monster or the clear carbonation of a Celsius Energy Drink, you’re in for a pretty rough surprise.
It’s rather bitter, which isn’t surprising because caffeine (and coffee) on its own is known for having an acquired taste.
While the flavors and sweeteners try to wash out the bitterness, it sort of ends up giving it a strange artificial aftertaste with both sensations vying for a spot on your tongue.
On the bright side, there’s not much of 5 Hour Energy to savor, so a quick shot to the back of the throat and a refreshing glass of water to wash it down should be a decent course of action.
5 Hour Energy Shot Flavors
5 Hour Energy Shots have a pretty decent variety of flavors considering its standard 1.93 fl. oz volume, here are a few of them:
- Berry
- Blue Raspberry
- Cherry
- Cool Mint
- Grape
- Lemonade Tea
- Orange
- Peach Mango
- Pink Lemonade
- Pomegranate
- Raspberry Tea
There is no evidence to suggest that consuming 5-Hour Energy will affect the outcome of a drug test. The ingredients contained within these energy shots are not targeted by standard drug testing panels. However, individuals concerned about any aspect of their diet or supplement intake affecting drug tests should consult with their healthcare provider or the administering agency of the test.
The question of whether consuming a 5-Hour Energy shot can affect a drug test is a concern for many individuals undergoing such screenings, whether for employment, sports eligibility, or medical reasons. 5-Hour Energy is a popular energy shot known for its blend of vitamins, nutrients, and caffeine designed to provide a quick and sustained boost of energy without the bulk of a traditional energy drink. This article will explore the ingredients of 5-Hour Energy, how it may interact with drug testing procedures, and what individuals can expect when they consume these shots.
