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Maybe, a little, and only in certain situations. Human studies of cordyceps have mostly looked at exercise stamina rather than everyday tiredness, the results are mixed, and the doses that showed a change were mostly 1,000 mg a day or more for several weeks. Don't expect a caffeine-style kick from a single dose.
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Does cordyceps give you energy?
The honest answer is that it has been studied for exercise performance, and the findings vary by product, person and outcome. Cleveland Clinic's registered dietitian says much of cordyceps' reputation comes from traditional Chinese medicine and that there are not enough human studies to know whether it truly helps. Cleveland Clinic's cordyceps overview describes small studies and notes that some found no effect on aerobic capacity or endurance.
Two published papers are worth knowing about if you want to read the research yourself: a randomized trial on PubMed and a 2025 meta-analysis on PubMed. Both look at exercise endpoints. They used different species, preparations and doses, so neither tells you what any one gummy or capsule will do for you.
What the human studies looked at
These summaries come from Cleveland Clinic and from two guides by Real Mushrooms, a company that sells mushroom extracts. Treat the Real Mushrooms descriptions as a seller's summary.
| Who and how long | Dose | What was reported |
|---|---|---|
| 20 healthy adults aged 50–75, 12 weeks | 999 mg a day of Cs-4 (a cultured mycelium form) | Lactate threshold up 10.5% and ventilatory threshold up 8.5%; no VO2 max change in the control group |
| A larger trial in healthy older adults | Not stated | 7% improvement in VO2 max |
| Trained athletes (small study) | Not stated | No effect on aerobic capacity |
| 16 healthy young men | 2.4 g a day | No benefit to endurance or testosterone |
| 28 people doing high-intensity exercise, 3 weeks | A mushroom blend that included cordyceps | Improved VO2 max, but the blend means cordyceps alone can't be credited |
| 14 young adults, one workout | 1 g before exercise | Less muscle damage and faster recovery markers, as described by Real Mushrooms |
| A 2018 study | 1,000–4,000 mg for several weeks | No significant effect at 1,000–3,000 mg; promising results at 3,000–4,000 mg and above |
The pattern: the clearest signals came in older, healthy adults and at higher doses, while fit young people and trained athletes saw little. If you are already fit, the evidence for a boost is weaker.
How much was used, and for how long?
Real Mushrooms says the typical dose in the literature is 1–3 g a day of extract powder, with one trial using 4 g a day. Another supplement brand, Lifecykel, says published studies used 500–3,000 mg daily for 3–12 weeks. Feel, a UK supplement company, says doses of 1,000–4,000 mg a day were well tolerated in clinical studies. Where studies saw changes, they came after weeks of daily use, not within an hour.
Cleveland Clinic and Real Mushrooms also discuss ideas about how cordyceps might work, such as effects on cell energy production (ATP). Those ideas come mainly from lab and animal research. They are not proof that a supplement raises your energy. If you want background on cellular energy, see our page on mitochondrial health and cellular energy.
Why the species and form on the label matter
“Cordyceps” covers hundreds of species. Cleveland Clinic points out that labels often say just “cordyceps” without naming the species, so you could be buying a type that hasn't been studied. The two you will see most are Cordyceps sinensis (wild, rare and very expensive, so cultured versions are common) and Cordyceps militaris (grown commercially). Cleveland Clinic suggests cooking C. militaris rather than eating it raw, because a study linked raw use to stomach upset.
Real Mushrooms argues that fruiting-body extracts differ from mycelium grown on grain, which can contain a lot of leftover grain starch. Whatever you think of that seller's pitch, the practical step is the same: look for the species, whether it is fruiting body or mycelium, and the amount of extract per serving. Cleveland Clinic also warns that you can't be sure how much cordyceps a bottle holds, and that two bottles from the same company can differ.
What about the other benefits you see claimed?
| Claim | What is known |
|---|---|
| Testosterone and libido | Mostly animal studies, plus traditional use. A 16-person study of young men taking 2.4 g a day found no testosterone effect. Real Mushrooms itself calls the libido evidence weak at best. Cleveland Clinic mentions the nickname “Himalayan Viagra” as traditional lore. |
| Kidneys | Traditionally used as a kidney tonic. Animal studies suggest possible protective effects, and Real Mushrooms says more evidence is needed. It also reports one case of slightly reduced kidney function in a person whose kidneys were already compromised. If you have kidney disease, ask your nephrologist before using it. |
| Heart | Animal studies on cholesterol and heart rhythm. Cleveland Clinic links the idea to lowering inflammation, but says clinical studies in people are needed. It is used as a medicine for irregular heartbeat in China, according to Feel, which is not the same as evidence for a supplement in your cupboard. |
| Blood sugar | Lab studies only. Cleveland Clinic says there have been no significant clinical trials in people. |
| Inflammation, immunity, anti-aging, anti-cancer | Lab and animal findings. Cleveland Clinic says human studies are lacking. |
Can cordyceps make you tired, anxious or raise blood pressure?
Tiredness
Tiredness is not among the side effects Cleveland Clinic lists. It lists stomach upset, nausea and diarrhea. If you feel more drained after starting a product, stop it and talk with a clinician, since fatigue has many causes. Two worth asking about are iron status (see our guide to iron, oxygen transport and energy) and vitamin B12. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements B12 fact sheet explains that deficiency matters, but extra B12 does not automatically raise energy in people who aren't deficient.
Anxiety
Real Mushrooms says cordyceps may cause anxiety in some people because of its energizing reputation, and bases that on rodent data about ATP. Other sellers say the opposite. Neither claim is settled by human trials. If you are prone to anxiety or jitteriness, ask a clinician before use, avoid combining it with other stimulating products, and stop if you feel worse. Ask a clinician if you take medication for anxiety.
Blood pressure
There is no solid human evidence that cordyceps raises blood pressure. There is also none showing it is safe if your blood pressure is hard to control. Pilly's Cordyceps Energy Gummies page asks anyone with blood pressure concerns to check with their healthcare provider first, and Lifecykel's disclaimer lists hypertension, heart disease and arrhythmia among conditions to discuss with a clinician. Do that before you start.
Cordyceps dangers: side effects and cautions
| Concern | What is reported |
|---|---|
| Digestive upset | Nausea, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal discomfort. Real Mushrooms says taking it after a meal may ease this. |
| Low blood sugar | Cleveland Clinic says people with type 2 diabetes may want to avoid cordyceps because blood sugar could drop dangerously low. |
| Bleeding | Cleveland Clinic cautions against use with blood thinners. Pilly's legal notice says cordyceps may have mild anticoagulant properties. |
| Immune flare-ups | Cleveland Clinic says people with autoimmune disorders may see more severe flare-ups with overuse. |
| Transplant rejection drugs | Cleveland Clinic warns it could counter anti-rejection medication. |
| Raw C. militaris | Possible stomach illness; Cleveland Clinic suggests cooking it. |
| Product variability | The amount and species can differ between bottles, so side effects and results can too. |
Cleveland Clinic also says you don't need to worry about “zombie” effects like those in the TV show.
If you have a bad reaction, stop the product and contact your clinician. Pilly's legal notice points readers to the FDA's reporting line at 1-800-FDA-1088 or safetyreporting.hhs.gov.
Who should avoid cordyceps or ask a clinician first?
- Anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Children and teens under 18.
- People with autoimmune conditions or who have had an organ transplant.
- People with bleeding disorders, or anyone with surgery coming up. Pilly's legal notice says to stop at least two weeks before scheduled surgery.
- People with diabetes, or anyone taking blood-sugar medication.
- People with kidney disease, heart rhythm problems, or blood pressure concerns.
- Anyone with a known mushroom or mold allergy.
- Anyone with breast or prostate cancer, or in cancer treatment. Real Mushrooms says use may be inadvisable until more is known, and Cleveland Clinic says to talk to your oncologist first.
- People with seizure disorders. Pilly's Cordyceps Energy Gummies page asks them to check first, partly because of the other ingredients in that product.
What not to mix with cordyceps
Talk with your prescriber or pharmacist before combining cordyceps with any of these:
- Blood thinners or anticoagulants, including aspirin.
- Diabetes medicines such as metformin or insulin.
- Immunosuppressants, including anti-rejection drugs.
- Medicines processed by the liver. Real Mushrooms and Pilly both flag this.
- Hormone replacement therapy and prednisolone, per Real Mushrooms.
- Chemotherapy or radiation.
- Stimulant medication, thyroid medication and blood pressure medication. Lifecykel's disclaimer lists these for discussion with a clinician.
Combination products add their own issues. Ginkgo, which is in some energy formulas, has bleeding and drug-interaction concerns, and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says no conclusive evidence supports ginkgo for a health condition. GABA carries a sedation and medication caution. Also add up cordyceps across products: several mushroom supplements include it, so a stack can quietly exceed what you intended.
How to read a cordyceps supplement label
Check five things: the species, the form (fruiting body or mycelium), the milligrams of cordyceps per serving, whether the amount is listed on its own or hidden inside a blend, and the serving directions. Then compare the amount with the doses studied above. As an example label to compare, Pilly Cordyceps Energy Gummies lists these amounts per gummy:
| Ingredient | Amount per gummy | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps mushroom extract | 200 mg | Directions say 1–2 gummies in the morning, so 200–400 mg. The label serving size is 1 gummy, so confirm the directions on your bottle. The page doesn't state the species. |
| Ginkgo leaf extract | 25 mg | Bleeding and drug-interaction cautions apply. |
| GABA | 25 mg | Evidence is limited, and a sedation caution applies. |
| L-glutamine | 25 mg | Most studies use very different doses. |
| DMAE | 25 mg | Human research is limited, and Pilly's page says it doesn't promise a mood or cognitive effect. |
Pilly lists every active amount separately for this product, with no proprietary blend, and the product's label says it “promotes energy and focus.” Pilly's page also describes cordyceps' role as seller positioning, not proof of a clinical outcome. It is worth being clear about what that means: 200–400 mg is lower than most doses in the studies above, and research on an ingredient is not proof that a finished five-ingredient gummy works. If you want a plain-language explainer on this gap, see ingredient evidence versus marketing claims.
Other Pilly products contain cordyceps too. Mushroom Energy & Cognition Drops list 100 mg of cordyceps per mL along with 500 mcg B12, 100 mg Lion's Mane, and 25 mg each of Alpha GPC and L-tyrosine. Adaptogen Immunity Drops list 50 mg. The 10-Mushroom Gummies include cordyceps inside a 250 mg blend of ten extracts, and the amount of each species isn't disclosed. Pilly's records list 2 g of added sugar per Cordyceps Energy Gummy, so check the bottle if sugar matters to you. For a comparison of another mushroom gummy, see our Ankhway Mushroom Gummies review.
Cost and returns
Pilly lists the 30-gummy bottle at $47.99, priced as of September 17, 2026; check the checkout for today's price. U.S. shipping is $6.90, or free at $99. Pilly offers a 30-day satisfaction window for opened or unopened products, limited to one refund per product per customer, through [email protected].
If your goal is steady energy, start here
A cordyceps supplement is one possible add-on, not a fix. Ongoing tiredness can have many causes, and a clinician can evaluate it. Our dietitian's guide to supplements for energy and fatigue covers what has evidence and what doesn't. If fatigue is new, severe or comes with other symptoms, get it evaluated rather than trying products.
Before you order
- Ask the seller which cordyceps species and form (fruiting body or mycelium) is in the product.
- Ask for the current label image and, if you want it, lot-specific test results.
- Check the directions on the bottle against the website, since the serving size and the suggested number of gummies differ.
- Add up cordyceps across every supplement you take.
- Show the full ingredient list to your clinician or pharmacist if you take medication, are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition, or have surgery planned.
- Stop the product if you feel worse.
By TotalHealthRD.com Nutrition Team
This article is for general information purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your doctor or qualified healthcare provider before making changes to your health routine.