No, there is no good evidence that cordyceps raises testosterone in people. The testosterone findings come from mice and lab cells, and the human trials tested exercise capacity, not hormones. If testosterone, libido or erections are why you are looking, cordyceps is a traditional-use ingredient with a reputation, not a proven fix.
Disclosure: this site and Pilly Labs are under common ownership.
Does cordyceps increase testosterone?
A 2013 review of Cordyceps research notes that studies in mice have found effects on plasma testosterone. It also lists a lab study in which a cordyceps extract stimulated hormone production in mouse Leydig cells (the testicular cells that make testosterone), and a study in subfertile boars. That is where the testosterone story comes from. None of it tells you what happens in a man who swallows a capsule or gummy.
The same review says there are no reports yet on pregnant and breastfeeding women, so that is a question for your clinician. If you suspect low testosterone, a clinician can test it and look at the causes. For background on the hormone itself, see Testosterone 101 and how testosterone works.
Is cordyceps like Viagra? What about libido and erections?
No. Nobody has tested cordyceps against erectile dysfunction medicine. The link is a nickname. The 2013 review says Cordyceps is called ‘Himalayan Viagra' in parts of Asia, and Cleveland Clinic says it has traditionally been used to reduce fatigue and boost libido. Cleveland Clinic also says the studies behind its possible benefits have been small and largely done in animals, and that there are not enough human studies to say whether it truly helps.
Treat the nickname as marketing history. If erections are the issue, that is a conversation for a clinician, not a supplement aisle.
What have human studies tested, and at what doses?
The best-known human work looks at exercise, not hormones. The main trial is Hirsch and colleagues (2016). It was a placebo-controlled trial of 28 healthy adults aged 18 to 35, and the authors describe research on cordyceps and exercise as limited and inconclusive overall.
| Study | Dose and form | Who | What it found |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hirsch 2016, week 1 | 4 g a day of a mushroom blend (PeakO2) containing Cordyceps militaris | 28 healthy adults | No significant difference from placebo |
| Hirsch 2016, week 3 (10 volunteers) | Same blend, same dose | Small subset | VO2 max rose 4.8 ml/kg/min versus 0.9 on placebo. The authors call this exploratory and want a larger sample |
| Earlier trial summarized in that paper | 3 g a day of Cordyceps sinensis for 6 weeks | Healthy older adults | VO2 max up 6.7% and anaerobic threshold up 12.6% |
| Earlier trial summarized in that paper | 1 g a day of Cordyceps sinensis for 12 weeks | Older adults | Ventilatory threshold up 8.5%, metabolic threshold up 10.5% |
| Earlier trials summarized in that paper | 1 to 2.5 g a day, short periods | Cyclists and runners | No performance benefit |
Three things matter here. First, none of these trials measured testosterone. Second, the Hirsch blend contained other mushrooms, so you cannot credit the result to cordyceps alone, and the study was funded by the supplement company. Third, the doses were grams a day, from different species (militaris and sinensis) and different forms. The 2013 review also describes 3 to 4.5 g a day as a commonly cited range.
For the full picture on how early-stage findings like these should be read, see understanding emerging research.
How does cordyceps make you feel, and is it stimulating?
Don't expect a buzz. Plain cordyceps is a fungus, not caffeine, and the research does not describe a noticeable feeling from it or call it a stimulant. Products with other ingredients can feel different, so read the whole label, including any added caffeine or herbs.
In the Hirsch trial, one week of the blend produced no meaningful difference from placebo on performance tests. Any change showed up, if at all, after several weeks in a small group. Individual experiences vary, and no outcome or timeline is guaranteed.
How long does it take to kick in?
For testosterone, nobody knows, because no human trial measured it. For exercise, the research points to weeks, not hours: no clear effect at one week, an exploratory effect at three weeks, and older-adult trials that ran six to twelve weeks. Do not expect a same-day lift.
What is the best way to take cordyceps?
Cleveland Clinic says the fruiting body is traditionally ground and cooked into tea, soups or other dishes, and that raw C. militaris may upset your stomach, so it should be cooked. Supplements come as capsules, powders, teas and mushroom coffee.
If you go the supplement route, WebMD gives the points that matter:
- Check whether the product uses the fruiting body or the mycelium (the root-like part). Research has used both, and they act differently.
- Most cordyceps in supplements is grown in a lab, and chemical content varies by growing and processing, so a new bottle or brand may feel different.
- The FDA has not tested cordyceps products to confirm they contain what the label says.
- Many products mix in other mushrooms, vitamins or herbs, so the cordyceps amount may be small or not stated.
Studies have used specific products, such as the PeakO2 blend and CordyMax Cs-4. If you want a retail label to read next to them, Pilly Labs' Cordyceps Energy Gummies lists 200 mg of Cordyceps mushroom extract per gummy, plus 25 mg each of ginkgo leaf extract, GABA, L-glutamine and DMAE, 30 gummies per bottle. The front label says ‘Promotes energy and focus' and makes no testosterone or sexual-performance claim. The label also lists organic cane sugar and tapioca syrup among its other ingredients.
Compare 200 mg with the 4 g a day used in the blend trial: that is about one-twentieth, and the forms differ (an extract versus a mycelial biomass blend), so ingredient research cannot be read as proof for any finished gummy. For more on that gap, see ingredient evidence versus marketing claims. Also, the maker's page lists the serving as one gummy but suggests taking 1 to 2 in the morning, so follow the bottle in your hands. The page does not name the Cordyceps species, so ask support before you buy if that matters to you.
What are the side effects and dangers of cordyceps?
| Concern | What to know |
|---|---|
| Stomach upset | WebMD lists constipation, diarrhea, nausea and upset stomach as the most common side effects. The 2013 review also mentions dry mouth. |
| Allergic reaction | WebMD says it can be serious (breathing trouble, swelling of the face or throat, hives). People allergic to mold or other mushrooms may be at higher risk. The review notes allergic responses with a strain called CS-4. |
| Bleeding | WebMD says to tell your clinician if you have bleeding problems or use blood thinners or antiplatelet medicine. |
| Low blood sugar | Cleveland Clinic says people on blood thinners or with type 2 diabetes may want to avoid it, because blood sugar could drop dangerously low. The review also advises caution with diabetes and antiviral drugs. |
| Autoimmune disease and transplants | Cleveland Clinic says people with autoimmune disorders may see more flare-ups and that organ transplant recipients should not take it because it could counter anti-rejection medicine. |
| Contamination | The review describes reports of lead poisoning from a cordyceps powder with very high lead (20,000 ppm). Blood lead returned to normal after the person stopped it. This is a reason to care about who made your product. |
| Pregnancy, breastfeeding and alcohol | WebMD says effects in pregnancy and breastfeeding are not known, and the effect of alcohol is unknown. |
Is cordyceps hard on the liver?
For healthy people, nothing published points to liver damage. The 2013 review says it found no human toxicity report, and rabbits given large oral doses for three months showed no change in blood work or in kidney or liver function. The review does make an exception for people with severe liver disease when discussing the 3 to 4.5 g daily range. If you have liver disease, or take medicine that your liver processes, ask your clinician before using it. The maker's own disclaimer page lists liver-metabolized drugs as a caution as well.
What should you not mix with cordyceps?
WebMD says there are no known food or drink interactions. Medicines are the concern. WebMD says to discuss cordyceps with your clinician if you use:
- Blood thinners or antiplatelet medicines such as aspirin/dipyridamole, cilostazol, clopidogrel (Plavix) or ticagrelor (Brilinta)
- Medicines that suppress the immune system
- Diabetes medicine
- Chemotherapy
WebMD adds that drug interactions with cordyceps are not fully understood. Products with added ingredients carry their own cautions. The ginkgo in the gummy above raises bleeding and drug-interaction concerns, which NCCIH's ginkgo page covers, and the product page itself says to consult your provider if you have blood pressure concerns, blood sugar conditions or seizure disorders.
Ask a clinician first if you take any of the medicines above, have an autoimmune condition, asthma, diabetes, bleeding problems or an organ transplant, have a mold or mushroom allergy, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have surgery scheduled, or are under 18.
What about benefits for women, kidneys and lungs?
Women. There is no human research on cordyceps and women's hormones. One rat study of an isolated fraction from Cordyceps sinensis mycelium found estrogen-like effects in rats whose ovaries had been removed. That shows the ingredient can be hormone-active in animals, which is a reason for caution, not a benefit to rely on.
Kidneys and lungs. The 2013 review says cordyceps has a long history as a lung and kidney tonic, and WebMD lists kidney problems among the reasons people take it, while noting that its benefits are not well defined. These are traditional uses, not established results. If you have kidney or lung disease, your care team should decide what you take.
Before you order
- Find out which species (militaris or sinensis) and which part (fruiting body or mycelium) the product uses.
- Check the cordyceps amount per serving. If it sits inside a combined blend, the amount may not be disclosed.
- Confirm the serving size on the bottle, since a product page and a label can differ.
- Look at added sugar and any added herbs or caffeine.
- If you take medicine or have a health condition, check with a clinician first.
- If testosterone or erections are the real worry, a clinician visit and a blood test will tell you more than any supplement.
You can also look at nutrition basics that have their own research, such as vitamin D3 and testosterone.
By BlastFitness.com Editorial Team