Ecdysteroids are also steroid hormones, and they act as androgens in arthropods. However, the receptors they use to induce these effects in arthropods are not found in humans. While more research is needed to elucidate the mechanism of action of ecdysteroids in mammals, it is clear that they do not bind to mammalian androgen receptors like anabolic androgenic steroids do and therefore do not exert the same effects. This could be a positive thing, since it means that, if ecdysteroids induce muscle growth and improve athletic performance similarly to androgenic steroids, they would do so with far fewer negative side effects.[1][2]
Are ecdysteroids the same as anabolic androgenic steroids?
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•Last Updated: May 16, 2025
Ecdysteroids are steroid hormones that act as androgens in arthropods but do not bind to mammalian androgen receptors. This distinction suggests that ecdysteroids may promote muscle growth and enhance athletic performance independent of androgen receptor activity, with fewer negative side effects.