Cordyceps militaris / Cordyceps sinensis
Improves ATP production and oxygen uptake during exercise — traditionally prized for boosting energy and endurance capacity.
Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Modern research suggests benefits for energy, endurance, and oxygen utilization. Cordyceps militaris is now cultivated and more accessible than wild Cordyceps sinensis. May improve ATP production and oxygen uptake during exercise.
May enhance cellular energy production
May improve how efficiently the body uses oxygen
How Cordyceps works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
1000-3000mg
Can be taken without food
| Form | Type |
|---|---|
| 💊Cordyceps militaris extract (fruiting body) | Recommended |
| 💊Cs-4 mycelium extract | Alternative |
| 🧪Powder | Alternative |
| 💊Capsules | Alternative |
Cordyceps militaris is cultivated and more affordable. Look for extracts standardized to cordycepin or beta-glucan content.
Minimum: 2 weeks
Optimal: 4 weeks
Cycling: Not required
Note: Can be taken with or without food. Some prefer taking before exercise for performance benefits.
More sustained energy throughout the day
Better performance in aerobic activities
Insufficient data; avoid
May increase bleeding risk
May affect immune function
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Stay hydrated
Both support energy and endurance
Enhanced adaptogenic and performance benefits
Different mechanisms for endurance
Cordyceps for ATP, beetroot for nitric oxide
Different mushrooms with complementary effects
Reishi for calm/immune, cordyceps for energy
Top studies from 38+ peer-reviewed papers
Zhang HW et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2014)
“We found that Cordyceps preparation, as an adjuvant therapy to conventional medicine, showed potential promise to decrease serum creatinine, increase creatine clearance, reduce proteinuria and alleviate CKD-associated complications, such as increased haemoglobin and serum albumin.”
Wang C et al. • Journal of ethnopharmacology (2024)
“Compared with conventional treatment, adjuvant treatment with CS of lung cancer not only improve TRR, QOL and immune function, but also reduce the incidence of ADRs and radiation pneumonitis.”
Bee Yean O et al. • Journal of traditional Chinese medicine = Chung i tsa chih ying wen pan (2019)
“Given the small number of trials included, the unclear methodological quality of the included trials, and the high heterogeneity in pooled analyses, the evidence obtained in this review is insufficient to recommend the use of cordyceps as adjunctive treatment in hemodialysis patients.”
Hong T et al. • The Cochrane database of systematic reviews (2015)
“Although there were some favourable aspects associated with Cordyceps, longer-term studies are needed to clarify any benefit-harm trade-off.”
Luo Y et al. • Renal failure (2015)
“However, with regard to low-quality and significant heterogeneity of included trials, to further verify the current results from this meta-analysis, long-term and well-designed RCTs with high-quality study are warranted to ascertain the long-term efficacy of O. sinensis.”
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