Lately, faced with longer hours at work combined with longer hours at home, I have been feeling droopier than the overpriced orchid sitting in my office window. Being nocturnally challenged, I have been looking for something to help keep me focused without making me as jittery as George Bush in a Mensa meeting. With the lingering fear of dropping dead of heart attack in my mind, I reluctantly tried the “5-Hour Energy” drink, which promises five hours of energy without the crash.

Taking my first sip, I felt a little like Alice and began wondering if I would shoot up to supermodel status or shrink down to a size where I could qualify for my own show on TLC. At first blush, the taste is not appealing. It was somewhere between between Mrs.. Butterworth’s and battery acid. My college years held me in good stead, however, I closed my eyes and threw it back. Once I got over the fact that there was no lemon chaser, I realized the taste was manageable. About thirty minutes later, I did feel more alert, and while I wouldn’t go so far as to use the term “peppy” I did feel like I could actually make it through the rest of the day without curling up under my desk for a two hour power nap.

Rating: 2 carats. Probably not the best idea to use this stuff on a regular basis, but for a periodic pick-me-up it does a pretty decent job. If you start to grow hair in places you shouldn’t, feel like you could be the legitimate offspring of Bella and Edward or hear voices, I would stop immediately and seek medical attention.