Cordyceps
Cordyceps militaris
Traditionally used at high altitude for stamina and endurance — today, sustainably grown on organic grain, not insects.
1 Main Focus: Energy, Stamina & Athletic Performance
Cordyceps (Cordyceps militaris) is the go-to mushroom for natural energy and endurance. Unlike most functional mushrooms, all commercially grown Cordyceps today is lab-cultivated on grain — not wild-harvested from insects, despite its unusual origin story below.
2 What Is Cordyceps?
In the wild, Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that infects insect larvae, particularly caterpillars, high in the Himalayan mountains. It's a striking (and slightly unsettling) part of its life cycle — but here's the important part: the Cordyceps used in 'MERICA products, and in nearly every supplement on the market, is Cordyceps militaris, a cultivated species grown on organic grain in a clean, controlled environment. No insects involved.
Cordyceps was first discovered by yak herders in the Himalayas, who noticed their animals became noticeably more energetic after grazing on grass containing the fungus.
3 How It May Work
Cordyceps' signature compound is cordycepin, a molecule structurally similar to adenosine, which plays a role in how your cells produce and use energy (specifically ATP, the molecule your cells run on). It also contains polysaccharides studied for endurance and oxygen utilization during exercise.
4 Natural Compounds
Cordycepin
Cordyceps' signature compound, structurally related to adenosine and studied for its role in cellular energy production.
Polysaccharides
Studied in athletic contexts for endurance and oxygen utilization (VO2 max) during exercise.
Adenosine
A naturally occurring compound involved in cellular energy transfer throughout the body.
Antioxidants
Support the body in managing exercise-induced oxidative stress.
5 What Human Research Says
Cordyceps has a growing body of small human trials, several specifically looking at exercise performance measures like VO2 max (a measure of how efficiently the body uses oxygen) in both trained athletes and older adults. Results have been encouraging in some studies, though sample sizes tend to be small and results aren't fully consistent study to study.
6 Traditional Use & History
Wild Cordyceps has been used in Tibetan and Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries, historically reserved for royalty and the wealthy due to its extreme rarity and difficulty to harvest by hand at high altitude. Modern cultivation of Cordyceps militaris on grain, developed in the 20th century, made the mushroom's beneficial compounds accessible and affordable without relying on wild harvesting.
Cordyceps may affect blood sugar levels. If you take medication for diabetes, talk to your doctor before use, as combining the two could increase the risk of blood sugar dropping too low.
Cordyceps may also interact with blood-thinning medications and immunosuppressant medications — talk to your doctor before use if you take either.
Not recommended without medical guidance if pregnant, nursing, or scheduled for surgery.
These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. Cordyceps is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
8 Common Questions
Is Cordyceps made from insects?
No. All Cordyceps used in 'MERICA products is Cordyceps militaris, cultivated on organic grain in a clean facility — not the wild, insect-derived species. See the "What Is Cordyceps" section above.
Is Cordyceps psychoactive?
No. Cordyceps is a legal, non-psychoactive mushroom with no psilocybin content.
Is it like caffeine?
No — Cordyceps doesn't work like a stimulant. People typically describe its effects as supporting steady stamina and endurance over time rather than an immediate jolt of energy.
How is it usually taken?
'MERICA plans to offer Cordyceps as a gummy, capsule, and tincture — see our Format & Timing guide on the Science & Safety Hub.
Curious About the Others?
Every 'MERICA Mycology species gets the same deep-dive treatment — explore the full lineup or dig into the compounds and research behind them all.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is educational and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or managing a health condition.