AMPK activator / exercise mimetic (research compound)
A research chemical that switches on the cellular energy sensor AMPK, mimicking some effects of exercise on metabolism.
| Class / type | AMPK activator / exercise mimetic (research compound) |
|---|---|
| Category | Metabolic & Weight |
| Status (Jul 2026) | Research use only |
As an AMP analog, it activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), promoting glucose uptake, fatty acid oxidation, and mitochondrial biogenesis in muscle.
Used in metabolic, exercise-physiology, and cancer research; studied as a potential endurance and metabolic enhancer in animals.
In animal studies it increased endurance and fat oxidation without exercise, earning the label 'exercise in a pill' among researchers.
Human safety and efficacy are unestablished, it can cause metabolic and cardiovascular strain, and it is banned in competitive sport.
Enthusiasts report interest in its exercise-mimetic and fat-oxidation potential, though this is based largely on preclinical data.
NOT FDA-approved: research-use-only with no approved human indication, and it is prohibited at all times by WADA (category S4) as of 2026.