Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on insect larvae. It contains various components that may be beneficial to health in different ways. However, more human research is needed to confirm these effects.
When these fungi attack their host, they replace its tissue and sprout long, slender stems that grow outside the host’s body.
For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine has used the remains of insects and fungi to treat fatigue, illness, kidney disease, and low libido.
Supplements and products containing Cordyceps extract have become increasingly popular due to their many purported health benefits.
Of the approximately 700 species of Cordyceps discovered, two have become the focus of health research: Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris.
However, much of this research is limited to animal or lab studies, so health experts currently cannot draw conclusions about their effects on humans. That said, their potential health benefits are promising.
This article highlights six potential benefits of Cordyceps based on science.
1. Exercise Performance
Cordyceps may help increase the body’s production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which is essential for delivering energy to muscles. This may improve how the body uses oxygen, especially during exercise.
For example, in a 2024 study, 14 young adults were given either a placebo or 1 gram (g) of Cordyceps before a high-intensity interval exercise session. The researchers found that those who took Cordyceps experienced less muscle damage and faster cell repair, allowing for quicker recovery.
That said, this was a very small human study. Other recent studies involved animals. For instance, in a 2020 study, researchers found that Cordyceps extract slightly increased grip strength in mice, which could be attributed to an increase in ATP production.
However, older research on Cordyceps and exercise is contradictory. For this reason, more human research is needed to replicate this effect and determine the exact mechanism involved with greater certainty.
2. Aging and Skin Health
Cordyceps contains polyphenols, which can act as antioxidants or help boost antioxidant activity. Antioxidants are molecules that fight cell damage by neutralizing free radicals, which can contribute to disease and aging.
A 2024 study that analyzed Cordyceps extract in a test tube and then tested it in a clinical trial with 40 human participants found that the fungus may have adaptogenic properties, meaning it may help the body cope better with stress. The extract also appeared to have antioxidant properties and increased the production of collagen in the skin.
While this suggests that Cordyceps may be helpful for both skin health and longevity, previous studies have only been conducted on animals. More research is needed to verify this conclusion.
3. Cancer Potential
Cordyceps’ potential to slow tumor growth has generated significant interest in recent years. In test-tube studies, Cordyceps has been shown to inhibit the growth of many types of human cancer cells, including lung, colon, skin, and liver cancers.
Studies in mice have also shown that Cordyceps may have anti-tumor effects on leukemia, breast cancer, and lung cancer.
However, these studies were also performed in animals and test tubes, not humans, so health experts cannot currently draw conclusions.
4. Diabetes and Cholesterol
Research from 2018 on mice with diabetes suggests that Cordyceps may help decrease blood sugar and lipid levels.
This suggests that Cordyceps may be helpful in treating conditions like diabetes or atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of fat and cholesterol in the arteries.
However, as with other potential therapeutic uses of Cordyceps, these studies do not provide conclusive evidence about its effects on humans.
5. Heart Health
Cordyceps may have a beneficial effect on heart health.
For example, a 2019 mouse study tested the effect of Cordyceps on the heart in mice compared to a placebo, finding that it helped prevent heart enlargement by reducing oxidative stress.
This is important because the buildup of harmful oxidative stress in the heart can lead to cardiac hypertrophy. Some researchers attribute this to Cordyceps containing adenosine, a naturally occurring compound that may have heart-protective effects.
In addition, the effect of Cordyceps on blood fats like triglycerides may be indirectly linked to a lower risk of heart disease because a higher level of these fats in the blood is a risk factor for heart problems.
That said, more human-based research is needed for Cordyceps’ effect on heart health. A 2022 review of 19 trials involving 1,805 human subjects with arrhythmia found some improvements in the markers of bradycardia and tachycardia in some studies, but more research is necessary.
6. Anti-Inflammatory Effects
While short-term inflammation is important in the healing process, long-term inflammation can lead to diseases.
Research from 2020 showed that when human cells are exposed to Cordyceps, special proteins that increase inflammation in the body become suppressed.
Because of these potential effects, researchers believe Cordyceps may serve as a useful anti-inflammatory supplement or drug.
For example, in a 2022 animal study, researchers found that Cordyceps helped reduce inflammation related to arthritis, while other research had similar findings in terms of asthma and allergic rhinitis.
That said, the potential inflammation-fighting properties of Cordyceps have yet to be observed in humans.
Dosage and Safety
Cordyceps sinensis is difficult to harvest and can cost up to $20,000 per kilogram (kg), or about $8,000 per pound. For this reason, most Cordyceps supplements contain a synthetically grown version called Cordyceps CS-4.
Due to limited human research, there is no consensus on dosages. A 2018 study used a dosage of 1,000 to 4,000 milligrams per day, which was not associated with side effects.
The fungus’s ongoing history of use in traditional Chinese medicine suggests it is nontoxic. In fact, the Chinese government has approved Cordyceps CS-4 for use in hospitals and recognizes it as a safe, natural drug.
Research also seems to confirm this. In a 2021 study on mice, researchers found that giving up to 20 g per kg of Cordyceps orally for 14 days did not result in any deaths or abnormalities in organs or tissues.
Similarly, in a 2019 review, researchers did not find any major side effects, except for rare, minor effects like dry mouth, bloating, rashes, or loss of appetite.
That said, it’s not possible to completely exclude the possibility of serious adverse effects, such as an allergic reaction. More safety testing in humans is needed.
The Bottom Line
Cordyceps have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for various health issues, but there is limited research on their effects on humans.
Animal and lab studies show potential for improving heart health, fighting inflammation, cancer, diabetes, and aging. Studies have also shown potential benefits during exercise.
However, more human research is needed to determine whether these benefits are legitimate and to determine the proper dosage and safety of Cordyceps supplements.
