Cordyceps

Supplements · Adaptogens & Stress Herbs · Supplement, Typed Supps

A fungus studied for its effect on exercise capacity.

Stage by stage

Intake (Extract capsule, lab-cultivated): Nearly all modern supplements use cultivated mycelium, not the traditional caterpillar fungus.
Small intestine (Absorbed): Active compounds absorbed in the small intestine.
Bloodstream (Circulates): Circulates throughout the body.
Cellular energy use (Studied during exercise): Studied for a possible role in how efficiently cells produce and use energy during exercise.

What the evidence supports

Improving aerobic exercise capacity (VO2 max, time to exhaustion) — limited evidence. A few small randomised trials of Cordyceps militaris show improvements in VO2 max and endurance, but samples were small and several used blends rather than cordyceps alone.
Boosting energy or reducing fatigue in the general population — insufficient evidence. Beyond the exercise-capacity studies, human evidence for a general energy effect is thin.
Evidence on long-term safety — insufficient evidence. Trials are short and small, so prolonged-use safety is not established.

Typical dose

Around 3–4 g/day of Cordyceps militaris fruiting body or mycelial material, for several weeks

Upper limit: No established UL; trials ran a few weeks to a few months

Timing

With food, standard dosing.

Time to effect

Weeks: Consistent use for any reported exercise-capacity effect in studies.

Medication interactions

Immunosuppressants: Cordyceps may stimulate immune activity, potentially opposing the drug. (moderate)
Antidiabetic medication: May lower blood sugar further. (moderate)

Common myth

“Cordyceps supplements come from the same source as traditional medicine.” In reality: Nearly all modern supplements use lab-cultivated mycelium, not the wild caterpillar fungus — research on the two isn’t necessarily interchangeable.