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The vital mushroom first attracted international attention in the 1990s.
May 9, 2025
Hanja Niederhammer
For a long time, Cordyceps was considered a booster for energy and endurance - today, research is focusing on the potential effects of this medicinal mushroom on the psyche. A look at mechanisms and studies
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Cordyceps sinensis, also known as Chinese caterpillar fungus, is a medicinal mushroom used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for centuries. The mushroom can support physical as well as mental health in various ways, including reducing the perception of stress and enhancing mental resilience. In animal studies, Cordyceps increased the release of corticosteroids - a possible factor for better stress resistance and mental stability.
The medicinal mushroom first gained international attention in the 1990s when Chinese Olympic athletes shone with extraordinary endurance - allegedly thanks to Cordyceps. It quickly became known in the West as a natural performance booster.
Yet in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Cordyceps has also been used for centuries to stabilize the psyche - for exhaustion, mood swings, or inner restlessness. Western research has also begun in recent years to examine the psychological spectrum of effects of Cordyceps more closely.
The effect of Cordyceps on our psyche is complex, as it encompasses hormonal, neurochemical, and antioxidative processes. Stress resistance and mental balance are heavily dependent on the body's own messengers like cortisol, dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin - and this is precisely where the medicinal mushroom could come into play.
Cordyceps is one of the adaptogens - these are natural helpers that support the body in dealing with stress and adapting to it. Sometimes calming, sometimes activating, it acts like a biological balancing system that intervenes exactly where the body needs it.
Especially the ability to regulate the release of the stress hormone cortisol as needed is increasingly bringing the effects of cordyceps on the psyche into focus. For people who are under internal tension, emotional exhaustion, or chronic strain, cordyceps could be just the right remedy to provide balance.
Neurotransmitters such as dopamine and norepinephrine control our mood, motivation, and internal balance - and it is precisely in this sensitive system that cordyceps could act. The vital mushroom contains the bioactive compound cordycepin, which has been shown in previous studies to affect brain chemistry. A Study from China suggests that cordycepin could particularly promote the production of those messenger substances that are crucial for drive and well-being.
Unlike conventional antidepressants, which primarily target the serotonin system, cordyceps appears to use alternative biochemical pathways - and thus naturally promote mood and emotional balance.
Oxidative stress initially sounds abstract - but in everyday life it constantly confronts us: chronic pressure to perform, an unbalanced diet, lack of sleep, or stressful environmental influences take their toll on our cells.
This results in what are known as free radicals: highly reactive molecules that can damage cell structures and promote inflammatory processes in the long term. These, in turn, are linked to exhaustion, inner restlessness, and a depressed mood. A vicious cycle that makes us tired, drains us - and leaves us feeling not quite ourselves.
Cordyceps could also play a valuable role in cell protection. In the study "Neuroprotective effect of Cordyceps sinensis in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia" a research team investigated whether the fungus could protect the brain from damage. For this purpose, the scientists deliberately exposed rats to a circulatory disorder in the brain - a model that triggers oxidative stress and inflammation.
Treatment with Cordyceps showed promising effects: the fungus was able to reduce the formation of harmful free radicals and mitigate inflammatory processes in the brain.
Also in cell culture studiesin which brain cells suffered from lack of oxygen and glucose, Cordyceps showed similar protective mechanisms. These antioxidant properties suggest that Cordyceps could not only support general well-being but also help buffer emotional exhaustion, inner restlessness, or depressive moods better in the long term.
The areas of effect sketched above can already be derived from initial studies - especially from preclinical trials and observations from empirical medicine. But what about the scientific evidence?
A closer look at the current state of studies shows: Research on Cordyceps and its effects on the psyche is still in its early stages but is increasingly providing promising indications.
Eine frühe Studie from 2007 showed in mice that Cordyceps could alleviate depressive behaviors - mainly through its influence on dopamine and norepinephrine, not on serotonin.
2014 deepened another weitere Untersuchung these insights. Cordycepin - a key active ingredient of the fungus - helped mice under chronic stress reduce depressive symptoms.
At the same time, inflammatory processes in the brain were mitigated and important neurotransmitters such as serotonin and noradrenaline were stabilized. Particularly noteworthy: The level of the protein BDNF, which is important for neuronal health and emotional stability, increased significantly. Similar effects were also observed in a cell culture study, in which Cordyceps extract protected brain cells from damage due to lack of oxygen and glucose.
Additionally, a recent animal study from 2022investigated whether Cordyceps militaris can also improve cognitive performance. The treatment with certain polysaccharides from the fungus helped mice reduce learning and memory problems caused by physical exhaustion - another exciting indication of potential support for mental functions.
Whether these results can be transferred to humans needs to be researched further.
A clinical study in 2018 examined clinical studywhether Cordyceps could improve sleep quality in people with depression. The result was promising: participants who took Cordyceps in addition to an antidepressant slept better.
A Study from 2021 however, was less clear. Cordyceps militaris showed no clear advantage over a placebo here. These contradictory results could have arisen from different preparations, dosages, or participant groups, but they make it clear that more studies are needed.
As promising as Cordyceps is, research is still in its early stages. Robust, large-scale human studies are still lacking, as are clear comparisons between different extracts, forms, and dosages. Long-term effects have also not been extensively studied yet.
In short, the current findings pique justified curiosity, but do not yet allow for well-founded daily recommendations.
Research provides initial clues, the effect sounds promising - but what does this mean specifically for everyday life? Those who want to use Cordyceps specifically for stress, inner unrest, or exhaustion often face very practical questions: When is the intake sensible? How is the mushroom dosed? And in what form is it even available?
Cordyceps is available today in various forms - most frequently as capsules, powder, or liquid extract. For many, taking it in capsule form is the most convenient as it is easy to dose and uncomplicated to take on the go.
Those who prefer it more individually choose Cordyceps powder, which can be stirred into smoothies or tea, for example - in terms of taste, it is rather neutral to earthy. Also, liquid extracts are available, such as drops that can be taken directly or added to water.
Not only the form is decisive, but above all the quality: Extracts with a standardized content of cordycepin and polysaccharides are considered particularly effective.
When Cordyceps is taken depends greatly on personal needs and the desired effect. Many people report an activating effect - therefore, Cordyceps is often recommended in the morning or at the latest in the early afternoon. During stressful times, with mental exhaustion, or for general support of emotional balance, regular intake over several weeks may be advisable.
Important: Cordyceps does not act acutely like a painkiller, but unfolds its potential gradually - through continuous use.
In cases of severe psychological stress or chronic stress, it is advisable to coordinate intake with a doctor or naturopath, especially if the person is already taking medication.
As promising as the effects of Cordyceps on the psyche may be, those who rely on psychopharmacological drugs should not forget one thing: Even natural helpers can show interactions. Initial research suggests that Cordyceps might influence the effects of certain medications.
This does not mean that the fungus is generally problematic - but that mindfulness is required. Especially when antidepressants, mood stabilizers, or other psychotropic substances are taken, a medical consultation is urgently recommended.
The question sounds simple - the answer is not. Depression is a complex, serious illness for which blanket solutions hardly apply. Indeed, there are initial indications from preclinical studies that Cordyceps could have mood-enhancing and anxiety-reducing effects - for example, by influencing dopamine and norepinephrine, two central neurotransmitters for our emotional balance. However, clinical studies in humans are still in the early stages, and reliable results are still lacking.
Cordyceps cannot replace therapy and does not intend to. However, it could provide support: as an adaptogenic companion in stressful phases of life, when emotional exhaustion and inner restlessness take over. Not as a quick fix, but as a gentle impulse that strengthens the system.
How does Cordyceps compare directly with Reishi, Lion's Mane, and Chaga? Vital mushrooms whose connection to mental health is already much better known?
All four belong to the family of vital mushrooms - but their effect profiles are different. While each mushroom stands for energy, balance, or mental clarity, they each address different aspects of mental health. Cordyceps clearly stands out - in the best sense.
Cordyceps is the activator among the vital mushrooms. As mentioned above, it is traditionally associated with endurance, energy, and physical performance. However, it can also strengthen mental health: as an adaptogen, it supports the body in stress regulation and could - as studies have found - also affect the dopamine and norepinephrine systems.
Cordyceps acts adaptogenically - meaning it helps the body adapt to physical and mental stressors. The effect of Cordyceps on the psyche can stabilize emotions during stressful phases, such as during mood slumps, inner unrest, or stress-related lack of drive. There are also indications of anxiety-relieving effects and a mood-enhancing effect through the dopamine and norepinephrine systems.
But what about its mycological colleagues?
Cordyceps is generally considered well-tolerated, but as with any natural preparation, individual reactions can occur. Some people are more sensitive to certain ingredients or combinations with medications. Especially if there are existing conditions or if medications are already being taken, it is advisable to coordinate the use with a doctor or pharmacist in advance to ensure that Cordyceps fits well into the personal health concept.
First Research findings show: Certain ingredients from Cordyceps militaris - so-called polysaccharides - can help reduce learning and memory problems. The tests were carried out on mice that showed symptoms similar to those that occur in people with cognitive impairments. However, it still needs to be investigated more closely whether this effect also occurs in humans.
The time frame for Cordyceps to have an effect on the psyche can vary individually. There are currently no specific clinical studies that confirm the exact time frame for the onset of effects on the psyche.
In general, however, findings from research on adaptogens suggest that such substances - similar to Cordyceps - do not act acutely, but rather over a longer period of time. Clinical studies on Cordyceps, for example in connection with sleep quality and depression, also set intake periods of six to eight weeks. Regular intake over several weeks could therefore be useful.
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Unlike conventional antidepressants, which primarily target the serotonin system, Cordyceps appears to utilize alternative biochemical pathways.
© Freepik
Anyone who also relies on psychopharmacological medications should consult a doctor before taking Cordyceps.
© Adobe Stock
The intake of medicinal mushrooms is supposed to provide more energy, balance, and mental clarity.
