Cordyceps are a genus of parasitic fungi that mainly infect insects and other small arthropods, eventually growing out of their bodies like thin, club- shaped mushrooms.

What cordyceps actually are

  • Cordyceps are sac fungi (ascomycetes), with more than 260–300 known species worldwide.
  • Most species are “endoparasites”: they invade a living host (often an insect), digest it from the inside, then sprout a visible fruiting body from the corpse.
  • They’re found on most continents, especially diverse in parts of Asia such as China, Nepal, and Tibet.

A classic image is a dead insect with a thin, orange or brown fungal stalk emerging from it—that’s a cordyceps fruiting body spreading spores to infect the next host.

How the “zombie fungus” works

Some cordyceps species manipulate insect behavior so dramatically that they’re nicknamed “zombie fungi.”

  • A microscopic spore lands on an insect (for example, a carpenter ant) and penetrates its body.
  • The fungus grows as mycelium inside, replacing the insect’s tissues and feeding on its nutrients.
  • In certain species, the infected insect starts acting abnormally (wandering, climbing to specific locations) before it dies.
  • After death, a stalk-like fruiting body erupts from the body (often the head or back), releasing more spores into the environment.

This dramatic life cycle inspired horror/sci‑fi stories and games, but the real fungi are highly specialized to specific insect hosts and are not a risk to humans.

Cordyceps in traditional medicine and supplements

Cordyceps have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for more than a thousand years, especially species like Ophiocordyceps sinensis (formerly Cordyceps sinensis).

Traditional and proposed uses include:

  • Supporting energy and reducing fatigue
  • Supporting lung and kidney function
  • General “tonic” effects for vitality and aging

These uses led to cordyceps becoming a premium herbal ingredient, sometimes called “Himalayan gold” due to how rare and valuable wild specimens can be.

Modern supplements usually use:

  • Cultivated mycelium (grown in lab conditions rather than on insects)
  • Species like Cordyceps militaris, which are easier to grow at scale

Countries such as China have approved multiple cordyceps-based medicines and supplements made from cultured material.

What the science says so far

Researchers have isolated several bioactive compounds from cordyceps, including cordycepin and adenosine, which are being studied for potential health effects.

Early lab and animal studies suggest possible:

  • Anti-inflammatory effects (for conditions linked to chronic inflammation)
  • Antioxidant activity
  • Immune-modulating effects

However:

  • Most evidence so far comes from test-tube or animal studies, not large, long-term human clinical trials.
  • Health claims online often go far beyond what the current data can firmly support.

If someone is considering cordyceps supplements, it’s wise to:

  1. Talk to a healthcare professional, especially if they have chronic conditions or take medications.
  1. Choose reputable brands with clear sourcing and quality testing.

Pop culture and “latest news” angle

Cordyceps became a trending topic again with shows and games like The Last of Us , which imagine a cordyceps-like fungus jumping from insect hosts to humans and causing a zombie outbreak.

In reality:

  • Cordyceps species are highly host-specific; a species that infects one ant type usually cannot infect other ants, let alone humans.
  • There is no evidence that any cordyceps species can infect people or cause “zombie” behavior in humans.

Scientists continue to study cordyceps both for their strange biology and for possible medical applications, especially around inflammation, immunity, and metabolic health.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.