People mainly take Cordyceps for energy, performance, mood. Based on 142 first-hand reports and 21 meta-analyses & systematic reviews in the medical literature. Ranked #71 of 1,974 overall.
Of reports that state an outcome, 59% are positive.
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: Nevertheless, the evidence is inconclusive to recommend the routine use of mushrooms for cancer patients. More trials are needed to explore mushroom use during and after cancer treatment.
PubMed 36995535 ↗Conclusion: 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.
PubMed 32186018 ↗Conclusion: Current evidence shows that cordyceps as an adjuvant to routine immunosuppressant therapy may benefit kidney transplant patient, however, better quality evidence is still required.
PubMed 28137532 ↗Conclusion: Medication can reduce the IL-10 level, regulate the equilibrium of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors, and decrease the level of caspase 1 and IL-18 (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 18).
PubMed 29061060 ↗As stated by users — not a recommendation. Follow the label or your doctor.
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
Verbatim quotes, shortened only — each links to the original discussion.
“I have not taken anything that has come close to the endurance and oxygen intake increase I have from Cordyceps.”
“2 Capsules MycoBoost (Cordyceps + Yerba Mate) from Natural Stacks”
“Cordyceps worked pretty well imhe”
“Perhaps cordecyps as well since it's an adenosine agonist.”
“Wow! There is an absolutely notable not placebo boost in energy. Almost a high. Lasts maybe 4-6 hours.”
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 2, 2026. How we rate