Ecdysteroids are an interesting class of compounds I've been experimenting with recently, they're steroid compounds that function as androgens in insects, but are also produced by a few different plant species
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Interestingly, they seem to provide some anabolic effects in mammals as well, but are not androgenic, and don't increase testosterone
Interestingly, this effect is thought to work primarily through the binding of the ecdysteroids to the estrogen receptor beta subset, which is implicated more in bone/muscle growth, with lower activation at the alpha-ER which is more "feminizing"
It's also been suggested that mammals may exhibit an ecdysteroid receptor similar to insects, but these receptors have not been found in humans, the farnesoid X receptors in humans are thought to be the closest analog of insect ecdysteroid receptors
In rodent studies one of the primary ecdysteroids, ecdysterone, promotes glutamic acid decarboxylase, the enzyme which convert glutamate -> GABA, and acetylcholinesterase, the enzyme which breaks down acetylcholine, this provide neuroprotective effects if it reaches the brain
If ecdysteroids are able to penetrate muscle cells, they have been shown to promote muscle synthesis through activation of the PI3K/Akt pathway
This seems relevant in animal studies using injections, but the human studies we have so far show little effect with oral ecdysterone
Some studies have also suggested effects similar to androgens in mammals, despite ecdysteroids inability to activate androgen receptors pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18220764/
As far as sources of ecdysteroids go, there are a few different herbs/supplements that contain them
They are found in the highest concentration in ajuga, maral root, and polyrhachis ant extract, foods like spinach, quinoa, yams, and button mushrooms contain small amounts as well
Personally maral root is by far my favorite, as it contains the highest concentration of 20-hydroxyecdysone, the most well researched ecdysteroid, out of any source
It also contains at least 10 other analogs, including turkesterone, which is thought to be the most anabolic
It's also worth noting that while Ajuga turkestanica is thought to be more anabolic as it contains higher levels of turkesterone than other herbs, research on the plant overall is extremely lacking so at this point this is impossible to prove or disprove
Overall, I think ecdysteroids offer some very interesting benefits
Unfortunately, many of the primary ecdysteroids show fairly rapid metabolism in blood plasma, which may limit some of their beneficial effects
IMO the best way to experiment with them is by using some of the more well-researched herbal sources like maral root, which contain more analogs that could better penetrate muscle tissue
Food sources are interesting, but likely have little-to-no anabolic effects in comparison
I hope you all enjoyed this short thread, as always research any new supplements before consuming
I think everyone is familiar with the psychological symptoms of dehydration, but few are aware of the symptoms of water intoxication, which although unhealthy and difficult to achieve, are reported to resemble a drunken state, and in extreme cases cause confusion and seizures
Oddly I can find no concrete mechanism to explain the mental states associated with water intoxication
My personal theory is that this works either through dilution of ions used in neuron signaling like Na+, or through downregulation of aquaporin water channels used in neurons
The melatonin produced in your pineal gland is actually on a minor factor compared to the melatonin synthesized in your cells and mitochondria
Melatonin regulates numerous aspects of cell function, regulating gene expression and acting as an antioxidant in cells
Intracellular melatonin is stable throughout the day, it doesn't follow the same circadian curve we see with blood melatonin levels, though these also impact cells
The interplay between these two sources of melatonin helps link circadian function between the body and the brain
Melatonin synthesis in cells is directly stimulated by infrared light, mostly from environmental light like sunlight or firelight, but potentially from infrared light put off energy production as well, this is a fantastic article on this connection:
Melatonin increase is directly correlated with higher testosterone because melatonin boosts luteinizing hormone
Luteinizing hormone upregulates testosterone synthesis by binding to LH receptors in Leydig cells
This is why testosterone is highest in the night/early morning
Vitamin D also upregulates steroid synthesis in Leydig cells, I'd go so far as to argue that sunlight exposure is the single biggest regulator of testosterone synthesis
This makes sense as an adaptation to seasonal food availability throughout human history
UV light: stimulates synthesis of vitamin D and its numerous analogs, and cholesterol sulfation
Red/infrared light: stimulates melatonin synthesis throughout the body, with highest melatonin release in low/no light environments
I'm moving most of my writing/research over to Patreon, with the goal of creating a smaller more personal community of people that want to expand their health knowledge
This will give me a chance to answer questions more directly, without being overloaded by messages
I also plan to shift more towards long-form writing, revamping my existing writing to include everything I've learned more recently
For less than the price of a Netflix subscription, you get access to a constantly expanding library of health knowledge which will include articles, audio, and videos
You'll also get to participate in a monthly live Q&A with other members, and message with me directly all month