Reaction Energy: goBHB-Based Performance Drink That Delivers Actual Energy

The energy drink market has been stuck in the same formula for decades: load up on caffeine, add some B-vitamins, throw in taurine for good measure, and call it a day. While these ingredients can mask fatigue and provide a temporary boost, they don't actually fuel your cells with real energy. Reaction Energy is here to change that conversation entirely.

Reaction Energy features 2.5g of goBHB ketones -- the first energy drink to deliver actual cellular fuel instead of just caffeine stimulation. Beta-hydroxybutyrate provides your mitochondria with alternative energy that supports both physical performance and mental clarity.

Developed by a team with deep sports nutrition expertise, Reaction represents a new category of functional performance beverages that combine the alertness benefits of traditional stimulants with genuine cellular energy from goBHB® ketones. At 2.5 grams of beta-hydroxybutyrate per can, Reaction Energy delivers research-backed doses of exogenous ketones alongside a carefully selected blend of cognitive enhancers, performance compounds, and hydration support.

A Ketone-Based Energy Drink with 200mg Natural Caffeine

Reaction's formula represents the ongoing shift in how we think about energy supplementation: instead of simply blocking adenosine receptors (what caffeine does) or providing short-term glycolytic fuel, it supplies your mitochondria with an alternative energy substrate that can enhance both physical and mental performance. But don't worry, they're still using caffeine here.

As the team behind Reaction puts it: "We don't even like to use the term energy drink, as it's like comparing a Ferrari to a Camry because they both have four wheels. REACTION is the only fully loaded premium functional performance beverage available on the market today."

This article explains the formula, which does include 200mg of natural caffeine to drive energy, yet leverages ketones to provide sustained cellular fuel, adds nootropics to enhance cognitive function, and includes a hydration blend to support optimal fluid balance. This multi-system approach addresses the complete performance picture, not just temporary stimulation.

Reaction Energy Ingredients

Each 16 fl oz can of Reaction Energy provides a comprehensive blend of performance-supporting compounds, organized into targeted categories:

• goBHB® Ketone Blend - 2500mg

  Beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is often called the "fourth macronutrient" alongside proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.^[1] When your body enters ketosis, whether through fasting, exercise, or carbohydrate restriction, it produces ketone bodies like BHB as an alternative energy source to glucose. The key difference is that you don't need to follow a ketogenic diet to take advantage of ketones when they're consumed exogenously as supplements.

  Unlike caffeine, which primarily blocks adenosine receptors to create a perception of increased energy, BHB provides actual cellular fuel.^[2] When consumed, BHB enters the bloodstream quickly, reaching peak levels within 30-60 minutes. Once in circulation, it's transported directly into mitochondria where it's converted to acetyl-CoA to fuel the TCA cycle, generating ATP -- your body's energy currency.

  The Free Acid Advantage

  Reaction Energy uses goBHB® from Ketone Labs in its free acid form (with an energy-supporting 1.75g D-BHB Free Acid and 0.75 L-BHB Free Acid), which offers several advantages over traditional BHB salts for beverage applications. Free acid BHB doesn't carry the mineral load that salt forms require, allowing for cleaner formulations, less salty taste, and faster absorption. The free acid form also provides superior beverage flavor and solubility characteristics compared to BHB salts, making it ideal for energy drinks.

  Research-Backed Performance Benefits

  The 2.5 gram dose of BHB in Reaction Energy falls within the research-supported range for performance benefits. Studies in endurance athletes have demonstrated that exogenous ketones can alter fuel preference during exercise, leading to improved metabolic efficiency and enhanced endurance performance.^[3]

  The mechanism behind these benefits involves glycogen sparing: by providing an alternative fuel source, BHB helps preserve your body's limited glucose stores for high-intensity efforts when they're most needed. This translates to decreased lactate production and improved aerobic capacity during sustained efforts.

  Cognitive and Metabolic Benefits

  Beyond physical performance, BHB serves as a highly efficient brain fuel. The brain readily utilizes ketones for energy, often with greater efficiency than glucose metabolism. This dual-purpose nature makes BHB particularly valuable in a comprehensive performance beverage like Reaction Energy, supporting both physical output and mental clarity.

  

  Research has also shown that ketone metabolism produces fewer reactive oxygen species compared to glucose metabolism, providing inherent antioxidant benefits that support cellular health and recovery. The metabolic efficiency of BHB — requiring only three steps to convert to acetyl-CoA compared to glucose's eleven steps — makes it an optimal fuel source for sustained energy without the peaks and crashes associated with sugar-based energy drinks.

  At 2.5 grams total (combining both D-BHB and L-BHB forms), Reaction Energy delivers a clinically relevant dose that can meaningfully contribute to your body's energy production while working synergistically with the drink's 200mg of natural caffeine to provide both immediate alertness and sustained cellular fuel.

• L-Carnitine - 1000mg

  L-carnitine serves as the essential transporter that shuttles long-chain fatty acids into mitochondria for β-oxidation and ATP production.^[4] As mitochondrial membranes are impermeable to fatty acids and coenzyme A esters, L-carnitine's binding to acetyl groups via carnitine acyltransferase becomes critical for cellular energy generation.^[4]

  Beyond its fundamental role in fat oxidation, L-carnitine demonstrates significant benefits for exercise recovery and performance. Research shows that L-carnitine supplementation alleviates muscle injury and reduces markers of cellular damage and free radical formation, accompanied by reduced muscle soreness.^[4] Studies using magnetic resonance imaging have confirmed that daily intake of 2g L-carnitine reduces muscle disruption after strenuous exercise compared to placebo.^[5]

  

  The 1000mg dose in Reaction Energy works synergistically with the ketone blend to optimize fat utilization while supporting enhanced blood flow and oxygen delivery to muscle tissue through improved endothelial function.^[4]

• L-Taurine - 1000mg

  Taurine serves as one of the most abundant free amino acids in human muscle tissue, representing far more than just the typical energy drink filler it's often dismissed as.^[6] At 1000mg, Reaction delivers a research-backed dose that supports multiple performance pathways.

  The primary mechanism behind taurine's exercise benefits involves enhanced calcium handling within muscle cells.^[7] Taurine assists with calcium release and reuptake, optimizing the cross-bridge formation essential for muscle contraction and power output. This improved calcium management translates to better force production and reduced fatigue during high-intensity efforts.

  Beyond its role in muscle contraction, taurine provides antioxidant support by stabilizing mitochondrial function and enhancing cellular energy production efficiency.^[8] Research demonstrates that taurine supplementation can improve endurance performance by supporting your body's ability to maintain power output over extended periods.^[9]

• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine - 1000mg

  N-Acetyl L-Tyrosine (NALT) is the acetylated form of the amino acid L-tyrosine, created by attaching an acetyl group to improve its water solubility and absorption characteristics. While L-tyrosine itself serves as the precursor to key neurotransmitters like dopamine and norepinephrine,^[10] NALT was developed to address some of the beverage solubility challenges associated with the free-form amino acid.

  

  Enhanced solubility for better formulation

  The acetylation process makes NALT significantly more water-soluble than regular L-tyrosine, which is only moderately soluble in water.^[11] This improved solubility allows for better integration into liquid formulations and potentially more consistent dosing in supplement products.

  The theoretical advantage lies in its ability to cross the blood-brain barrier more efficiently, where it can then be deacetylated back to free tyrosine for conversion into L-DOPA and subsequently dopamine and norepinephrine. However, it's worth noting that the majority of published research on tyrosine's cognitive and stress-mitigating effects has been conducted using the free-form L-tyrosine rather than the acetylated version.^[10]

• Cognizin® (Citicoline) - 500mg

  Reaction Energy includes a research-backed 500mg dose of Cognizin® citicoline, a patented form of CDP-choline that goes beyond ordinary choline supplementation. While traditional choline sources provide basic acetylcholine support, citicoline delivers the chemical combination of choline and cytidine, both essential components for phosphatidylcholine synthesis in brain cell membranes.^[12]

  At the 500mg dose found in Reaction, Cognizin supports multiple cognitive performance pathways simultaneously. Research demonstrates that this dosage enhances mental energy and brain energy utilization, while supporting memory function including working memory, episodic memory, and memory recall.^[13] The compound also supports psychomotor performance by improving mental processing speed, reaction time, and the ability to receive and process information.^[14]

  

  Mechanisms Behind the Mental Edge

  What makes citicoline unique is its dual action as both a choline donor and cytidine source. This combination directly supports phosphatidylcholine production, which is the rate-limiting step in brain cell membrane synthesis. MRI studies have shown that citicoline supplementation increases phosphodiester levels associated with membrane synthesis while simultaneously enhancing mitochondrial function markers like phosphocreatine and beta-nucleotide triphosphate.^[12]

  Cognizin also supports healthy neurotransmitter levels including acetylcholine, dopamine, and norepinephrine while providing antioxidant protection through reduced malondialdehyde levels.^[13] This comprehensive neurological support makes it an ideal complement to Reaction's ketone-based energy approach, enhancing both the physical and cognitive aspects of performance.

• Myo-Inositol - 500mg

  Myo-inositol is a naturally occurring sugar-alcohol that plays a crucial role in cellular signaling pathways and membrane function. Often classified as a pseudo-vitamin, myo-inositol acts as a second messenger in insulin signaling pathways, helping to regulate glucose uptake and utilization at the cellular level.^[15]

  In Reaction Energy's performance-focused formula, myo-inositol contributes to metabolic efficiency by supporting insulin sensitivity and glucose transport. This can help optimize how your body utilizes both the carbohydrates from your diet and the alternative energy provided by the goBHB® ketones. Research indicates that myo-inositol supplementation enhances the activity of key metabolic enzymes and improves cellular energy utilization.

  

  The 500mg dose provides meaningful support for metabolic function without the gastrointestinal effects sometimes seen with higher therapeutic doses. For athletes and active individuals, myo-inositol's role in glucose metabolism makes it a valuable addition to a comprehensive energy formula, helping to ensure efficient fuel utilization during both training and recovery.

• CellFlo6® (Green Tea Leaf Extract) - 300mg

  While most energy drinks rely on standard green tea extracts focused on basic catechins like EGCG, Reaction Energy features CellFlo6®, a patented green tea extract that targets the most bioactive compounds in the plant: galloylated procyanidin dimers.^[16] These specialized dimers work differently than traditional green tea extracts by enhancing endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), promoting nitric oxide production from within the cells to support improved blood flow and vascular function.

  Clinical research demonstrates CellFlo6's effectiveness: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that 600mg significantly increased arterial blood flow three minutes after resistance exercise in trained college-aged men.^[17] At Reaction's 300mg dose, CellFlo6® supports cellular health and provides antioxidant activity while contributing to the beverage's comprehensive performance profile. This isn't just another green tea extract - it's a precision-engineered ingredient designed for real-world vascular benefits.

• Natural Caffeine - 200mg

  Caffeine serves as the primary stimulant component in Reaction Energy, delivering 200mg of natural-sourced caffeine per can. This dosage falls within the optimal range for enhanced performance without the jittery side effects often associated with excessive stimulant intake.^[18]

  

  The primary mechanism through which caffeine enhances performance involves adenosine receptor antagonism in the central nervous system. Adenosine naturally accumulates during periods of activity and binds to its receptors to promote feelings of fatigue and drowsiness. Caffeine blocks these adenosine receptors, preventing this fatigue signal and instead promoting the release of neurotransmitters like dopamine, norepinephrine, and acetylcholine.^[18]

  Beyond its well-known alertness benefits, caffeine may support enhanced fat oxidation during exercise and increase thermogenesis (heat production), which can contribute to improved energy expenditure.^[19] The compound also demonstrates direct effects on muscle tissue through calcium mobilization, which can enhance force production and delay fatigue during physical activity.

• L-Theanine - 100mg

  L-theanine is the amino acid responsible for green tea's calming properties, and at 100mg, Reaction Energy provides an ideal dose for balancing caffeine's stimulatory effects. This naturally occurring compound creates a state of relaxed alertness without drowsiness, making it the perfect complement to the 200mg of natural caffeine in this formula.^[20]

  L-theanine works by modulating glutamate neurotransmission in the brain, inhibiting glutamine uptake by neurons and promoting increased GABA activity.^[20] This mechanism leads to increased alpha wave generation, the brainwave pattern associated with calm, focused attention.^[21] Research shows that L-theanine can reduce the jittery side effects often associated with caffeine while preserving alertness and focus.^[22]

  

  XPO NRG stole the show at SupplySide West! This exclusive energy drink wowed attendees with goBHB™, delivering clean, sustained energy without jitters or crashes. With ketones leading the charge, could this be the future of energy drinks?

  The 100mg dose sits right in the research-backed range, delivering meaningful relaxation benefits without sedation. This creates what many users describe as "calm energy" -- the mental clarity and alertness of caffeine without the crash or anxiety that can accompany higher stimulant doses. We generally like seeing it at a 2:1 caffeine:theanine ratio, which is what we have here in Reaction Energy.

• L-Glycine - 100mg

  L-Glycine is a non-essential amino acid that functions as both an inhibitory neurotransmitter and an NMDA receptor co-activator in the central nervous system.^[23] While best known for its sleep-promoting benefits at higher doses, glycine's dual neurotransmitter roles make it a valuable addition to performance formulations.

  Research demonstrates that glycine can improve sleep quality and reduce daytime sleepiness and fatigue through its action on NMDA receptors in the brain's suprachiasmatic nucleus.^[24] Additionally, studies show glycine can enhance cognitive function and memory recognition performance while supporting healthy stress response.^[25]

  In Reaction Energy's formula, the 100mg dose provides a small amount of neurological support that complements the stimulating effects of caffeine, helping to promote a balanced, focused energy experience without the jitters often associated with high-stimulant beverages.

• Huperzine A - 100mcg

  Huperzine A is a naturally-derived alkaloid that functions as a potent and selective acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, helping to preserve acetylcholine levels in the brain for enhanced cognitive function.^[26] This nootropic compound works by blocking the enzyme responsible for breaking down acetylcholine, the neurotransmitter crucial for learning, memory, and focus.

  

  At 100mcg per serving, Reaction delivers a research-backed dose that supports cognitive enhancement without the side effects seen at much higher therapeutic levels. Beyond its cholinergic effects, huperzine A demonstrates neuroprotective properties through multiple pathways, including mitochondrial function support and antioxidant activity.^[27] In Reaction's performance-focused formula, huperzine A works synergistically with citicoline and L-theanine to create a comprehensive cognitive enhancement profile that supports both mental clarity and sustained focus during demanding activities.

• B-Vitamin Complex

  While the goBHB® ketones and nootropics steal the spotlight in Reaction Energy's formula, the B-vitamin complex provides essential metabolic cofactors that ensure your cellular energy machinery functions optimally. Rather than the megadoses found in many energy drinks, Reaction delivers targeted amounts of four key B vitamins that work synergistically with the formula's other components.

  

  • Niacin (Vitamin B3) serves as the foundation for NAD+ biosynthesis, a coenzyme essential for mitochondrial energy production.^[28] At 15mg as niacinamide, this form avoids the flushing associated with straight niacin while supporting the cellular processes that convert nutrients into usable energy. NAD+ functions as a critical cofactor in glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation — the very pathways that complement the alternative energy provided by exogenous ketones.
  • Vitamin B6 at 10mg supports neurotransmitter synthesis and protein metabolism.^[29] The active form, pyridoxal phosphate, acts as a crucial coenzyme in over 100 enzymatic reactions, including those involved in amino acid metabolism and the production of key neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. This becomes important when you're pushing cognitive performance alongside physical energy.
  • Vitamin B12 and pantothenic acid (B5) round out the complex at 5mcg and 5mg respectively. B12 supports methylation reactions critical for cellular function, while B5 serves as a precursor to coenzyme A, which is essential for fatty acid oxidation and the citric acid cycle. Together, these B vitamins ensure that your cells can efficiently process both traditional fuels and the alternative energy from ketones, creating a more complete approach to sustained performance.

• Electrolyte & Hydration Support

  • Potassium (as Potassium Citrate) - 430mg

    Potassium is one of the most critical electrolytes for athletic performance, yet it's consistently under-dosed in most energy drinks and sports beverages. At 430mg per can, Reaction Energy provides a meaningful dose that supports optimal muscle function, cardiovascular performance, and cellular hydration.

    

    Exogenous BHB is now for everyone—from athletes needing endurance to those boosting brain function. Offering clean, lasting energy, BHB is proving versatile and backed by research.

    During exercise, muscle contractions trigger the release of potassium into the interstitial space around blood vessels, where it acts as a natural vasodilator by stimulating the sodium-potassium pump in vascular smooth muscle cells.^[30] This mechanism helps increase blood flow to working muscles, enhancing oxygen and nutrient delivery when you need it most.

    Beyond its vascular benefits, potassium plays an essential role in maintaining proper nerve and muscle function through its involvement in action potential generation and cellular membrane stability. Research shows that even mild potassium depletion can impair cardiovascular function and increase blood pressure, making adequate intake crucial for athletes and active individuals.^[31]

    The 430mg dose in Reaction Energy works synergistically with the formula's magnesium and sodium content to create an optimal electrolyte profile for sustained performance and recovery. Unlike many energy drinks that focus solely on sodium replacement, this potassium-forward approach addresses the complete picture of electrolyte balance during intense physical activity.

  • Magnesium (as Magnesium Malate) - 100mg (25% DV)

    Magnesium serves as a fundamental cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions throughout the body, making it essential for optimal cellular function.^[32] At the cellular level, magnesium binds with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to form the Mg-ATP complex, which functions as the primary energy source for muscle contraction, nerve conduction, and countless metabolic processes.^[33]

    

    In Reaction's performance-focused formula, the 100mg dose provides essential electrolyte support while contributing to energy metabolism and muscle function. Research indicates that magnesium enhances glucose availability in muscles during exercise and helps reduce lactate accumulation, leading to improved endurance and reduced fatigue.^[33] This makes it an ideal complement to the ketone-based energy system, supporting both traditional glucose metabolism and alternative fuel utilization.

    For active individuals, magnesium requirements increase by 10-20% compared to sedentary people, as the mineral is lost through sweat and utilized at higher rates during physical activity.^[34]

  • Sodium (as Sodium Citrate) - 45mg (2% DV)

    A negligible amount of sodium, which is very easy to obtain via diet, it's extremely nice to see a lower-sodium, higher-potassium option on the market that will help balance the K-to-Na ratio in your favor!

  The science behind this approach has been building momentum in recent years. As we've covered extensively on PricePlow through our podcast with Ketone Labs ownership and industry partnerships like XPO NRG, exogenous ketones are moving beyond their ketogenic diet origins to become mainstream performance ingredients. The research is clear: BHB can serve as an efficient alternative fuel source that doesn't rely on glucose metabolism or stimulant-driven alertness.

Flavors Available

Here's an up-to-date list of all flavors of Reaction Energy:

Conclusion: Real Energy for Real Performance

The supplement industry has trained consumers to accept that "energy drinks" are nothing more than glorified caffeine delivery systems with some vitamins thrown in for good measure. Reaction Energy challenges this limitation by delivering what energy drinks should have been providing all along: actual cellular energy.

As we've discussed extensively in our coverage of the ketone renaissance and industry developments like XPO NRG, consumers are increasingly seeking cleaner, more sophisticated approaches to energy and performance enhancement.

Rob Rogers of Ketone Labs joins PricePlow for Episode #131 to explain the story behind goBHB, and how they're BACK on the market for supplement formulators!

The 2.5 gram dose of goBHB® ketones from Ketone Labs is the centerpiece of this approach. Unlike caffeine, which simply blocks fatigue signals, or sugar, which provides brief glycolytic fuel, ketones offer your mitochondria an alternative energy source that can enhance both physical performance and cognitive function. This is energy at the cellular level, not just neurological stimulation.

Reaction's formula is the perfect illustration of the evolution of the functional beverage category. By combining research-backed doses of ketones with proven nootropics like Cognizin® citicoline, performance compounds like CellFlo6®, and a potassium-rich electrolyte profile, Reaction creates a performance solution rather than a one-dimensional stimulant bomb.

For those interested in functional performance beverages that go beyond basic stimulation, Reaction Energy represents a significant step forward. This is what the energy drink category looks like when it's designed by experts who prioritize efficacy over marketing gimmicks.

The future of energy drinks isn't about more caffeine or flashier marketing -- it's about delivering real energy through intelligent ingredient selection and proper dosing. Reaction Energy shows us exactly what that future looks like.