ECD cannot be dismissed as simply placebo as too many others (granted, not everyone responds) have experienced very similar results: It's a SAFE, mild-anabolic, vascularity enhancement-inducing, and body recomp substance.
While it is certainly NOT gear, given the fact there are no deleterious sides, this will always be a nice ergogenic aid up there in value with creatine for me.
I have used gear for MANY years and getting off for good has been tough. Things like cortisol modulators (I alternate between endo amp and LeanXtreme), night time GH-enhancement (PowerFULL), higher dosed-ECD, and creatine mono have all served my anti-gear plight well enough.
Full disclosure, I still dabble with the mild variety PH's like Furaz (1-2 runs per year) but thank God for getting off gear (10+ years)!
I've never felt better.