Cordyceps Mushroom Benefits & Cordyceps Uses

Audrey Ferguson |  Updated on: August 21, 2023

by Lynn Marie Morski, MD

Cordyceps mushroom benefits are extensive on many levels. Many people use them as a daily supplement to boost general health and wellness. However, the claim to fame of these extraordinary fruiting bodies is their ability to boost oxygen efficiency in the circulatory system, which can improve energy levels, decrease fatigue and weakness, and even boost athletic performance and recovery.

In this informative guide, we discuss what cordyceps fungi are, how they are extracted into capsule form, and how you can use them to beneficial effect for a variety of use-specific applications.

What Is a Cordyceps Mushroom?

Cordyceps mushrooms are extraordinarily odd – even by fungi standards. There are several hundred distinct species of cordyceps, all of which are parasitic. When the airborne spores of mature organisms land on specific insect species, they infiltrate brain and muscle tissue and begin to establish mycelium, which is essentially the root system of a mushroom.

Although cordyceps mycelium is small compared to other fungal species, it is no less pervasive. Cells of the mycelium begin to take over an insect’s central nervous system, transforming living organisms into zombie-like creatures that lose all capability to instinctively function. After several days, infected insects die, and the cordyceps mycelium feasts on the organism’s decaying organic matter. After about three weeks, fruiting bodies (which are the external, visual part of a mushroom) begin to form and grow out of the insect’s decomposing body.

For the purposes of this article, we are interested in the Cordyceps militaris species. While these mushrooms can (and do) infect and grow on insects in the wild, they can also be cultivated commercially in a safe, non-parasitic, sterilized environment. Fruiting body extracts from C. militaris fungi boast extraordinary health benefits, including boosted stamina and energy levels, reduced fatigue, and improved athletic and sexual performance.

What Are Cordyceps Supplements Good for?

Cordyceps uses are extremely varied when it comes to health and therapeutic purposes. That being said, the fungus is primarily known for its impact on adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production. ATP acts as a source of fuel and energy for our body’s cells and is crucial for essentially all facets of life.

When ATP levels are low, individuals can suffer from a variety of adverse side effects – mostly relating to fatigue, low energy, brain fog, and general weakness. From a basic physiological standpoint, this is because cells are essentially starved of oxygen and are unable to perform and carry out tasks with any degree of efficiency.

Cordyceps Health Benefits

As we mentioned, the key benefit of cordyceps mushrooms is their ability to improve ATP production. In the most fundamental way, boosted ATP levels lead to increased energy at a molecular level, allowing cells to function at optimized capacity.

In a laboratory setting, increased ATP production produces objective improvements in VO2 max, which essentially measures how much oxygen a person’s body can use and absorb during exercise.

When VO2 levels are low, individuals will experience fatigue, weakness, lack of energy, and even brain fog. Again, this is directly related to insufficient ATP production and an insufficient source of energy and fuel for the body’s cells.

For many individuals, incorporating authentic cordyceps extract into a daily routine can reduce fatigue, boost energy levels, improve muscular strength, and even boost focus, mental clarity, and sharpness.

What About Cordyceps Mushroom Side Effects?

Unlike many prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications, cordyceps mushroom extract produces very little in the way of adverse side effects. It can potentially have a disruptive impact on digestion and, in rare instances, can lead to constipation, diarrhea, and/or abdominal discomfort. For most individuals, however, cordyceps is safe and free from any major side effects.

How Does Cordycepin Work?

One of the many different active compounds found in cordyceps mycelium is cordycepin – a structural analog of nucleoside adenosine. Again, active cordyceps compounds have been shown to impact adenosine triphosphate production at the molecular level, potentially increasing fuel and energy resources for cells across various organ and tissue systems.

Admittedly, more research needs to be done in order to fully understand the molecular action of cordycepin in humans. It is likely, however, that proper extraction from dried cordyceps fruiting bodies leads to increased bioavailability and uptake in cells. This means that, if planning on using cordyceps extract as a daily supplement, it is important to find products that have been responsibly sourced and harvested from pure, authentic C. militaris species.

Where Can You Find the Best Cordyceps Mushroom Supplements?

At VidaCap, we source, harvest, and extract the very best cordyceps mushroom supplements on the market. Our team is dedicated to using the industry’s most advanced technological equipment, and we pride ourselves on optimizing safety, quality, and efficiency through every step of the cultivation process.

Unlike plants, proper fungal cultivation (and harvest) necessitates an exquisite underlying knowledge of mycelium propagation, fruiting body development, spore activity, and more. Each of these facets is dependent on a variety of external conditions, including establishing and maintaining precise temperatures, humidity levels, atmospheric pressure, and more. The team here at VidaCap boasts industry-leading experience in these areas, which is why we are confident we produce the market’s best and most effective cordyceps mushroom capsules.

Place your order today in the official VidaCap online store, and start experiencing the extraordinary benefits of cordyceps mushrooms and other mushroom-based health and wellness.