Ecdysterone (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a naturally occurring phytoecdysteroid found in spinach, quinoa, Rhaponticum carthamoides, and some other plants. It’s marketed as a natural anabolic agent, but the benefits depend on the context. Ecdysterone first came on my radar in the late 90s when it was marketed aggressively by a company called Syntrax Innovations, owned by a controversial and polarizing figure, Derek Cornelius. Another company called Thermolife also pushed an Ecdysterone-based product called Ebol. Suffice to say, none of these products produced meaningful results; otherwise, they would still be around today. I recall trying these Ecdysterone products and not getting anything noteworthy out of them. However, after talking to my friend and supplement expert Jerry Brainum, I have recently reconsidered revisiting the potential efficacy of Ecdysterone. Jerry explained that Ecdysterone is very expensive, so most companies underdose it and don’t come close to label claims in order to keep the price competitive. Therefore, the ineffectiveness of products could be due to underdosing issues rather than the ineffectiveness of Ecdysterone in and of itself. In other words, Ecdysterone may very well work when taken in effective amounts, but due to such amounts being costly, few companies use effective dosages. Jerry, who is not aligned with any supplement company and not one to ever fall prey to any hype train, told me on an episode of my YouTube show that there are actual human studies to confirm that Ecdysterone, when taken at the correct dosage, can be very effective. Let’s take a closer look at the benefits and also delineate how it is different than the overly hyped turkesterone that has never been shown to be effective in any study.
🔹 Potential Benefits
1. Muscle Growth & Strength
- A few human studies (notably the 2019 German trial) found that ecdysterone supplementation (200–800 mg/day)combined with resistance training led to greater increases in lean muscle mass and strength compared to placebo.
- Animal studies suggest it binds weakly to estrogen receptor β, which may promote anabolic effects without androgenic side effects.
- The effects are milder than SARMs or anabolic steroids, but potentially real for natural athletes.
2. Improved Recovery
- Some research suggests ecdysterone may enhance protein synthesis and reduce muscle damage markers, helping with faster recovery between workouts.
3. Metabolic & Endurance Support
- May improve glucose metabolism and red blood cell production, supporting endurance.
- Some evidence in rodents for lower cholesterol and improved lipid metabolism.
4. Low Side Effect Profile
- Unlike SARMs/steroids, ecdysterone does not suppress testosterone or alter liver enzymes significantly in studies.
- Generally well tolerated in tested dosages.
🔹 Limitations
- Human data is limited — only a handful of well-controlled studies exist.
- Effect sizes vary — not everyone responds strongly.
- Supplements vary widely in purity and dosage; many products are underdosed.
- WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has flagged ecdysterone as a substance of concern and may eventually add it to the banned list due to its performance-enhancing potential.
✅ Bottom Line
- Best for: Natural athletes or lifters seeking a mild, natural anabolic boost with minimal side effects.
- Not as powerful as: Creatine, SARMs, or anabolic steroids.
- Safer option for long-term use, especially for those avoiding hormone suppression.
Now there may be some synergistic benefits of taking Ecdysterone with Creatine, Aggressive Strength Testosterone Booster, and TRT. Let’s take a closer look at each option.
🔹 Ecdysterone + Creatine
- Why it works:
- Creatine increases ATP availability, improving strength and training volume.
- Ecdysterone may enhance protein synthesis and lean mass retention.
- Synergy:
- Creatine boosts performance (strength & endurance).
- Ecdysterone helps with recovery & muscle growth.
- Best for: Natural athletes who want a safe, non-hormonal stack.
- Side effects: None known when combined.
🔹 Ecdysterone + ASTB
- Why some use it:
- ASTB has ingredients that support your own testosterone production, dopamine, insulin sensitivity and growth hormone.
- Ecdysterone may provide an additional anabolic push without adding suppression.
- Potential benefit:
- Extra muscle-building synergy.
- May help reduce catabolism
🔹 Ecdysterone + TRT
- Why it’s interesting:
- On TRT, your anabolic baseline is already supported by testosterone.
- Adding ecdysterone may enhance protein synthesis and recovery without affecting hormone balance.
- Benefits:
- Safe, since it doesn’t cause suppression or require PCT.
- Could help lean mass retention while cutting.
- May support joint and connective tissue health (via estrogen receptor β activity).
- Best for: TRT users wanting a mild, side-effect-free anabolic booster without messing with hormone levels.
✅ Takeaway
- Creatine + Ecdysterone → Best natural stack (safe, proven, synergistic).
- ASTB + Ecdysterone → Natural testosterone support, safe, supportive, potentially useful for lean mass and recovery.
- TRT + Ecdysterone → Safe, supportive, potentially useful for lean mass and recovery.
🔹 General Dosage Guidelines
- Most studies used 200–800 mg/day (standardized extracts, usually 90–95% purity).
- Taken in divided doses (e.g., 100–200 mg with meals, 2–4x daily).
- Water-soluble, so absorption is decent with or without food, but some take it with a little fat for better uptake.
🔹 By User Type
1. Natural Athletes (no TRT)
- 300–500 mg/day → entry level.
- 500–800 mg/day → “performance zone,” based on the German study that showed measurable muscle/strength gains.
- Best for those looking for a safe anabolic edge without hormone suppression.
2. On TRT
- 400–600 mg/day is common.
- You don’t need sky-high doses since TRT is already anabolic — ecdysterone is more of a recovery + lean mass add-on.
- Focus is on better nutrient partitioning and recovery, not replacing hormones.
3. On ASTB or Between Cycles
- 500–800 mg/day during a ASTB cycle → may provide additional anabolic push without extra suppression.
- 300–600 mg/day between cycles → helps retain lean mass
🔹 Duration
- Typical cycle: 8–12 weeks.
- Some users run it longer since it doesn’t suppress hormones, but most studies cap at ~10–12 weeks.
- No PCT needed — safe to stop anytime.
🔹 Safety
- Human trials show no significant changes in liver enzymes, kidney markers, or hormones.
- WADA is monitoring it (due to potential performance-enhancing effects), but as of now it’s not banned in all federations.
✅ Summary:
- 300–800 mg/day, split doses.
- Natural athletes: higher end of dosing for anabolic effect.
- TRT users: mid-range, mainly for recovery and lean mass support.
- ASTB users: higher during cycle, moderate between cycles.
Ecdysterone vs Turkesterone
🔹 Chemical Background
- Ecdysterone (20-hydroxyecdysone):
- The most studied phytoecdysteroid, found in spinach, quinoa, Rhaponticum carthamoides.
- Has actual human data supporting anabolic effects.
- Turkesterone:
- Another phytoecdysteroid, usually extracted from Ajuga turkestanica.
- Structurally similar to ecdysterone, but less studied in humans.
- Popularized more by marketing than by clinical evidence.
🔹 Effectiveness
Ecdysterone
- Human studies (200–800 mg/day) showed increased lean mass & strength compared to placebo when combined with resistance training.
- Mechanism: likely weak binding to estrogen receptor β, stimulating protein synthesis and recovery.
Turkesterone
- Evidence mainly from animal and in vitro studies.
- Claims of higher anabolic potential exist, but no published human trials confirm this.
- Anecdotal reports: some users notice better pumps, recovery, and lean gains — but results are inconsistent.
🔹 Safety & Side Effects
- Both appear non-hormonal (no suppression of natural testosterone).
- Ecdysterone: Safety confirmed in human studies (no liver/kidney issues, no hormone disruption).
- Turkesterone: Likely safe, but without human trials, evidence is weaker.
🔹 Dosage
- Ecdysterone: 300–800 mg/day (well supported).
- Turkesterone: Typically sold at 250–500 mg/day (extrapolated from ecdysterone, since human data is missing).
🔹 Market Reality
- Ecdysterone: Backed by actual clinical evidence, making it more reliable.
- Turkesterone: Marketed as “more anabolic,” but largely hype — could still work, but unproven.
- Many “turkesterone” supplements are underdosed or adulterated, since Ajuga extract is expensive and less standardized than ecdysterone.
✅ Bottom Line
- Ecdysterone = proven → If you want evidence-backed, safe, mild anabolic effects.
- Turkesterone = promising but unproven → More of a gamble; anecdotal hype > science right now.
- On TRT or ASTB, ecdysterone is the safer bet because dosing and effects are more predictable.
Here are some recommended Ecdysterone supplement brands—focusing on purity, transparency, and quality assurance:
What to Look for in a Quality Ecdysterone Supplement
Based on expert guidance:
- Purity ≥ 90% – Effective benefits require a well-standardized extract of 20‑hydroxyecdysone. Anything lower may be underdosed or inconsistent.
- Clear labeling – Brands that list exact mg of active ecdysterone (not hidden proprietary blends) tend to deliver more reliable results. Swolverine
- Third-party testing or quality control – HPLC verification ensures what’s on the label matches what’s in the bottle. MDPIHSN Store
Top Brand Picks
1. Huge Ecdysterone (Huge Supplements)
- Frequently cited as a top choice for its transparency and formulation. Amazon+1
- Uses a cyclodextrin complex for enhanced absorption — potentially improving bioavailability. Huge Supplements
- Clear dosing instructions, user feedback, and claims it does not suppress hormones. Blog+8Huge Supplements+8Swolverine+8
2. Thalacy 1200 mg Beta Ecdysterone (98% Purity)
- Standardized 98% purity—well above the recommended threshold. Amazon+1
- High-dose (1200 mg per serving) ideal for users seeking effective, clinical-level dosing.
- Transparent about purity and source (Cyanotis arachoidea extract). Amazon+2MDPI+2
3. Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone (95% Purity, 500 mg)
- Offers a mid-range option with solid purity and dosing (500 mg)—within the clinically supported window.Swolverine+1
- Double Wood is known for supplement transparency, though full lab reports weren’t cited here.
Other Available Options (Varying Visibility & Transparency)
Several other sellers exist—on platforms like eBay—with products claiming high purity or unique complexes (e.g., Earth Elixir, Hi‑Tech Pharmaceuticals, Gistix Labs). However, many lack clear independent testing or transparency, so approach with caution. eBay
Summary Table
| Brand / Product | Purity | Dose | Pros |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huge Ecdysterone | High (unspecified, but marketed) | Clinical dosing (capsules) | Enhanced absorption, transparent, well-reviewed |
| Thalacy Beta Ecdysterone | 98% | 1200 mg per serving | Very high purity, strong dosing, good labeling |
| Double Wood Beta Ecdysterone | 95% | 500 mg per serving | Moderate purity, reputable brand |
Final Tips for Choosing a Supplement
- Prioritize purity and dosage transparency – Avoid vague labels or proprietary blends.
- Check for testing or certification – Independent lab tests (HPLC) are a key quality indicator.ExamineExamine+15MDPI+15Amazon+15Swolverine
- Stick within effective dosage ranges – Aim for 300–800 mg/day total, adjusted per capsule strength.SwolverinePMC
- Buy from reputable sellers – Avoid extremely low prices or suspicious marketplaces where adulteration risk is high.
