Ecdysterone Dosage Guide | Bodybuilding, Cycling, and Safety

TRT Trey

Last Updated December 18, 2022

TRT Trey

 December 18, 2022

If you’re looking for an in-depth guide on ecdysterone dosage, then you’ve come to the perfect place.

Inside, we breakdown the best dosing and cycling protocols for different ecdysterone brands, including Gorilla Mind and Intelligent.

We also answer your most important questions, including:

  • Is ecdysterone safe?
  • Is ecdysterone a steroid?
  • What exactly is ecdysterone?

…And much more!

We’ve consulted a number of studies and proven data which provide in-depth, science-based answers to these questions and more, so that you can have the most up-to-date and accurate information available.

Whether you’re looking to put on muscle mass or lean up, the ideal ecdysterone dose for bodybuilders is found below.

Now let’s get started!

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Ecdysterone Dosage Calculator

The dosing protocol for ecdysterone and beta ecdysterone (the more potent form of the compound) isn’t exactly set in stone.

In fact, research has shown that gains in muscle mass, stamina, and strength have been found even with particularly low dosages of 30mg per day [1].

While it is true that everyone’s body is different, the right amount of ecdysterone to take in order to see visible progress in the gym will depend on your individual physicality, as well as how your body processes anabolic effects.

The generally established dosage guideline is as follows:

  • Starter Dose: 250mg/day
  • Intermediate Dose: 500mg/day
  • Advanced Dose: 1,000mg/day

The anabolic effects of ecdysterone depend on the amount taken.

This explains why studies where the dosages were higher show that test subjects exhibited improvements in strength and stamina in tandem with the dosage [2].

However, the maximum recommended dose of ecdysterone tends to be no higher than 1000mg at a time, and has even shown that anabolic effects tend to plateau around that level [3].

One thing to keep in mind with ecdysterone, is that it is rapidly eliminated by the body.

This was demonstrated in one study conducted in 1989, where a male participant took 0.2mg of ecdysterone per kilogram of bodyweight. After being carefully monitored, it was determined that

ecdysterone can take between 8 and 18 hours to be fully eliminated from the system. Hence why relatively high amounts are suggested for use, in order to keep the level of ecdysterone circulating through the bloodstream above what’s required to activate gene switches systems [4].

To offer more perspective on what an effective ecdysterone dosage looks like, we can refer to one study conducted in 2006, where three groups of male athletes of similar body composition were monitored for an 8-week training period.

As a requirement for participation, and to ensure accuracy of the study, the athletes needed to confirm that they hadn’t taken any ergogenic dietary supplements, such as myostatin inhibitors, pro-hormones, or even creatine within six months prior to the onset of the study.

One of the control groups ingested 200 mg of ecdysterone per day for the 8-week period.

Upon examining the data, researchers concluded that the group taking just 200mg of ecdysterone per day ended up increasing their one rep max for both the bench press and leg press by an average of 10 pounds and 60 pounds, respectively [1].


What is Ecdysterone?

Did you know that plants produce hormones just like humans do?

It’s no wonder why ecdysterone, or 20-beta-hydroxyecdysterone, has been dubbed ‘the plant steroid’, since it possesses nearly the same molecular structure as testosterone.

It’s a fascinating and naturally occurring compound typically found in spinach and quinoa, with the purpose of warding off insect pests. In addition, it’s also been found in arthropods – insects with an exoskeleton, like the praying mantis – to regulate their moulting and reproduction [5].

Ecdysterone Vs Steroids

Of course, readers may be scratching their heads in confusion. Is ecdysterone a steroid, then?

The answer is that ecdysterone is not like the anabolic androgenic steroids commonly used in bodybuilding, such as Dianabol or Trenbolone, as it does not cause testosterone levels to plummet after cycling off.

However, according to research conducted in Russia since the 1970s, it’s been revealed that ecdysterone does possess numerous anabolic properties which can even put it on par with the potency of Dianabol [6, 7].

Due to the fact that it’s a naturally-occurring compound, it’s been marketed as being safer than synthetic steroids [2].

In fact, a study even showed that ecdysterone can actually have stronger effects in terms of increasing muscle mass and stamina than more commonly used synthetic steroids [8].

Ecdysterone Vs Banned Substances

One of the most recent studies on ecdysterone conducted by German scientists in 2019, and funded by WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency), actually resulted in the recommendation that ecdysterone be added to their list of banned substances, since the performance enhancing effects of ecdysterone were found to be so substantial [9].

It was added to the WADA Monitoring Program in 2020, which suggests that it may indeed be banned for use in professional sports quite soon.

In light of numerous studies, there remains little doubt that Ecdysteroids like ecdysterone do have anabolic effects on mammals [3].


Ecdysterone


Ecdysterone Cycle Guide

Now that we’ve established what ecdysterone is, and what an ideal ecdysterone dosage protocol should look like, we’ll dive into how ecdysterone ought to be cycled in order to reap the most benefits from it.

Nearly every study referenced in this guide has based their findings off of cycles lasting between 8-10 weeks.

However, one study conducted in 2021 monitored the effects of an ecdysterone dosage of 2 g per day for a total period of 12 weeks.

The study concluded that not only were there no adverse effects, but there was also a marked gain among the participants in lean muscle mass and strength [10].


How to Take Ecdysterone | What You MUST Know

Although serious bodybuilders and athletes will often be willing to use hypodermic needles in order to administer certain compounds to themselves, there’s also a large amount of athletes and gym enthusiasts who are not so inclined.

Fortunately, when it comes to taking ecdysterone, the use of a hypodermic needle isn’t required.

As of right now, in early 2023, ecdysterone is only commercially available in the form of capsules and powders.

This means it can be conveniently taken along with a meal or beverage.

According to the dosing guidelines set out above, we wouldn’t recommend exceeding more than two cycles of ecdysterone per year. By erring on the side of caution, you’ll still feel its effects, while being sure to avoid any possible side effects.

Typically, an ecdysterone dosage can be taken once per day, or split up into two doses – one in the morning, and one in the evening [8, 11].


Best Ecdysterone Supplements | 2023 Edition

While there are a number of stores on the internet selling various bodybuilding and health supplements like ecdysterone, we have taken the time to research which of these sources have the best ecdysterone supplements available.

We based our evaluation of these sources according to some key criteria:

  • Are the products reasonably priced?
  • Are the products genuine and pure?
  • Do they have fast shipping available worldwide?

And finally, do they already have a number of satisfied customers who have left glowing reviews of their experience using ecdysterone?

Taking those factors into account, our number one recommendation for a vetted and trusted source to buy ecdysterone from would be Huge Supplements.

Here’s why Huge Supplements is our #1 online ecdysterone vendor:

  • Superior quality. Their supplements are all manufactured in an FDA registered facility, and they ship to all countries worldwide – except for those within the European Union.
  • Excellent customer service. What we found really set Huge Supplements apart from other vendors, was that their customer service was truly exceptional. Every time we had a question or concern, we were always able to reach someone by phone, and our problems were addressed and solved promptly.
  • Enhanced absorption. The ecdysterone sold at Huge Supplements contains cyclodextrin – a polysaccharide which causes the ecdysterone to be absorbed into a user’s body more rapidly.

You can visit them here to purchase a bottle of 98% pure ecdysterone capsules:

Order the best Ecdysterone from Huge Supplements...

Our second recommended source to buy ecdysterone from is Intelligent Elephant. One thing that’s immediately noticeable here is a slightly lower price in comparison to Huge Supplements.

Another quality that sets their ecdysterone apart, is that they claim it’s the most bioavailable form available.

Also, good news if you prefer to use alternative payment methods: they also accept payment in various cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin and Litecoin, which are not listed as payment options on Huge Supplements.

In order to purchase ecdysterone, you can visit their site here:

Order the best Ecdysterone from Intelligent Elephant...


Ecdysterone Benefits

It’s not surprising that ecdysterone has seen such a recent surge in popularity in the bodybuilding world. Not only is it touted as a powerful, all-natural anabolic agent with numerous benefits for strength, stamina, and fat loss, but it also poses very little, if any, side effects [4, 13].

One of the major benefits noted about ecdysterone in humans based on various studies, is that it increases protein synthesis, and therefore, lean muscle mass and strength [9].

In fact, some studies even report an increase in protein synthesis as high as 20%. Others have compared the muscle gains from ecdysterone to what one could expect from taking a cycle of Dianabol – a much more commonly used anabolic steroid [6, 8].

Researchers have also found that another benefit of taking ecdysterone is increased stamina and endurance – so it’s not only effective for bodybuilders or strength athletes, but for virtually any athlete that’s looking for an extra boost [12].

In fact, Russian scientists conducted one experiment where they monitored two groups of runners for twenty days, with one group taking Dianabol, and the other taking ecdysterone.

They concluded that the stamina of the athletes taking ecdysterone increased between 10-15% [8].

On top of that, while reports of increases in muscle mass and stamina are still contested by some researchers, most studies on ecdysterone have shown a remarkable improvement in humans’ ability to recover from exercise while using it, as well as enhance their quality of sleep [4].


Ecdysterone


Is Ecdysterone Safe?

While data on ecdysterone and beta ecdysterone is still very limited, what we have so far shows that there are very little, if any, side effects from it.

One important distinction to make between ecdysterone and other more commonly used steroids, such as Dianabol or Trenbolone, is that ecdysterone usage does not suppress your hormones during a cycle.

It has no androgenic or estrogenic effects, and so it doesn’t require a PCT, or post-cycle therapy – a protocol of drugs typically used after a steroid cycle to restore natural testosterone production to regular levels [4].

Ecdysterone also poses very low toxicity to humans.

During numerous controlled experiments, researchers reported seeing an absence of biomarkers for liver or kidney toxicity [9, 13].

Even if one were to take double or triple the dose recommended in this guide, it wouldn’t be considered toxic to the body [4].

As mentioned before, however, once a certain dose is exceeded, the effects of ecdysterone tend to plateau.


Ecdysterone Dose | Overall

In conclusion…

A consistent ecdysterone dose between 500mg – 1000mg per day is ideal for most athletes and gym enthusiasts to start seeing rapid gains in muscle mass and strength [3].

It’s not recommended that this dose be exceeded, as once again, studies related to how ecdysterone affects humans is still limited.

In addition, while ecdysterone is mostly known for its muscle-building properties, endurance athletes will can also expect to see remarkable progress in their activities after using ecdysterone consistently.

Ultimately, ecdysterone is a safe compound with superb potential and is already being widely accepted as a supplement of choice by those who want to see improvement in their performance, but aren’t quite ready to experiment with substances that carry a higher risk profile.

Ready to get started with ecdysterone?

If so, then we strongly recommend the online ecdysterone vendor Huge Supplements.

We like Huge Supplements because they have an unmatched reputation in the fitness industry for their quality products, fast shipping, excellent customer service, and glowing customer reviews.

So what are you waiting for?

Pick up a bottle of Huge Supplements ecdysteorne today and watch your gains shoot through the roof!


References

  1. Wilborn, C.D., Taylor, L.W., Campbell, B.I. et al. Effects of Methoxyisoflavone, Ecdysterone, and Sulfo-Polysaccharide Supplementation on Training Adaptations in Resistance-Trained Males. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 3, 19 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1186/1550-2783-3-2-19
  2. Shuvalov, O., Fedorova, O., Tananykina, E., Gnennaya, Y., Daks, A., Petukhov, A., & Barlev, N. A. (1AD, January 1). An arthropod hormone, ecdysterone, inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells via different mechanisms. Frontiers. Retrieved February 15, 2022, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2020.561537/full
  3. Dinan, L., & Lafont, R. (2006). Effects and applications of arthropod steroid hormones (ecdysteroids) in mammals, Journal of Endocrinology, 191(1), 1-8. Retrieved Feb 15, 2022, from https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/191/1/1910001.xml
  4. R. Lafont, L. Dinan, Practical uses for ecdysteroids in mammals including humans: and update, Journal of Insect Science, Volume 3, Issue 1, 2003, 7, https://doi.org/10.1093/jis/3.1.7
  5. SLAMA, K., & LAFONT, R. (1995). Insect hormones – ecdysteroids: their presence and actions in vertebrates. Eur. J. Entomol., 92(1), 355-377
  6. Chermnykh NS, Shimanovskiĭ NL, Shutko GV, Syrov VN. Deĭstvie metandrostenolona i ékdisterona na fizicheskuiu vynoslivost’ zhivotnykh i obmen belkov v skeletnykh myshtsakh [The action of methandrostenolone and ecdysterone on the physical endurance of animals and on protein metabolism in the skeletal muscles]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1988 Nov-Dec;51(6):57-60. Russian. PMID: 3234543.
  7. Syrov VN, Kurmukov AG. Ob anabolicheskoĭ aktivnosti fitoékdizona-ékdisterona, vydelennogo iz Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin [Anabolic activity of phytoecdysone-ecdysterone isolated from Rhaponticum carthamoides (Willd.) Iljin]. Farmakol Toksikol. 1976 Nov-Dec;39(6):690-3. Russian. PMID: 1030669.
  8. Parr MK, Botrè F, Naß A, Hengevoss J, Diel P, Wolber G. Ecdysteroids: A novel class of anabolic agents?. Biol Sport. 2015;32(2):169-173. doi:10.5604/20831862.1144420
  9. Isenmann, E., Ambrosio, G., Joseph, J.F. et al. Ecdysteroids as non-conventional anabolic agent: performance enhancement by ecdysterone supplementation in humans. Arch Toxicol 93, 1807–1816 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00204-019-02490-x
  10. Pérez-Piñero S, Ávila-Gandía V, Rubio Arias JA, Muñoz-Carrillo JC, Losada-Zafrilla P, López-Román FJ. A 12-Week Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial, Evaluating the Effect of Supplementation with a Spinach Extract on Skeletal Muscle Fitness in Adults Older Than 50 Years of Age. Nutrients. 2021 Dec 6;13(12):4373. doi: 10.3390/nu13124373. PMID: 34959924; PMCID: PMC8706266.
  11. Simakin SY: The Combined Use of Ecdisten and the Product ‘Bodrost’ during Training in Cyclical Types of Sport. Scientific Sports Bulletin. 1988, 2:
  12. Gorelick-Feldman J, Maclean D, Ilic N, Poulev A, Lila MA, Cheng D, Raskin I. Phytoecdysteroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscle cells. J Agric Food Chem. 2008 May 28;56(10):3532-7. doi: 10.1021/jf073059z. Epub 2008 Apr 30. PMID: 18444661.
  13. Cahlíková, L., Macáková, K., Chlebek, J., Hošt’álková, A., Kulhánková, A., & Opletal, L. (2011). Ecdysterone and its activity on some degenerative diseases. Natural Product Communications, 6(5). https://doi.org/10.1177/1934578×1100600527
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