Cordyceps: The Secret Mushroom Athletes Are Using to Boost Endurance

Want to push your endurance to the next level? Cordyceps might be the secret weapon athletes are buzzing about. Backed by emerging research, this medicinal mushroom could help you train harder, recover faster and boost your aerobic performance, but does it really work?

• What Are Cordyceps & Why Are Athletes Talking About It?

• How Do Cordyceps Supposedly Work In The Body To Help Performance?

• Can A Liquid Cordyceps Supplement Make A Difference For Endurance?

• What Does The Best Research Say About Cordyceps For Endurance Performance?

• What’s The Bottom Line On Cordyceps For Endurance?

What Are Cordyceps & Why Are Athletes Talking About It?

Cordyceps are medicinal mushrooms traditionally used to support energy, stamina, and respiratory health. Emerging research suggests they may help improve aerobic performance by supporting oxygen use, energy production, and fatigue resistance. This has sparked growing interest among endurance athletes, with studies showing modest improvements in aerobic capacity and exercise tolerance¹⁻⁵.

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The most studied forms, Ophiocordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris, contain bioactive compounds like cordycepin and adenosine derivatives that help regulate cellular energy production¹,². These compounds may enhance mitochondrial ATP production and activate AMPK, improving oxygen efficiency, delaying fatigue, and supporting VO₂max and time-to-exhaustion³⁻⁵.

How Do Cordyceps Supposedly Work In The Body To Help Performance?

Cordyceps are thought to support endurance performance by improving how the body produces and uses energy during exercise. Research suggests they may help muscles use oxygen more efficiently, support cellular energy production, and reduce exercise-related stress. Their bioactive compounds may also help delay fatigue, allowing athletes to maintain effort for longer.

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Cordyceps may improve VO₂peak by enhancing oxygen utilisation and mitochondrial efficiency. Compounds like cordycepin support ATP production, the primary energy source for muscle contraction. Cordyceps also contain antioxidant compounds that help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation from training. Some studies suggest they may improve lactate metabolism, which can delay fatigue and support endurance capacity¹,²,⁵.

Can A Liquid Cordyceps Supplement Make A Difference For Endurance?

Liquid Cordyceps supplements such as Switch Nutrition Cordyceps offer a convenient way to support endurance, especially around training⁵. They can be easily added to drinks like coffee or smoothies, helping athletes take them consistently. 

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Dual-extracted liquid products from Switch Nutrition Cordyceps [Insert link when live on website] provide concentrated levels of key bioactive compounds linked to energy production and aerobic performance. Liquid formats may also allow faster absorption, helping deliver bioactive compounds that support mitochondrial energy production and endurance⁵.

What Does The Best Research Say About Cordyceps For Endurance Performance?

Research suggests Cordyceps may support endurance performance, with studies showing improvements in VO₂peak, ventilatory threshold, and overall exercise tolerance. Benefits appear most consistently with 2-3 g/day (1-2ml of Switch Cordyceps), or roughly 10 mg/kg body weight over 6-12 weeks, though results can vary depending on species, extract type, dose, duration and fitness level⁵. Most human trials have used powders or capsules, so data on liquid forms are still emerging⁵,⁶.

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Meta-analyses and human trials indicate Cordyceps, particularly Ophiocordyceps sinensis, may act as a mild ergogenic aid by enhancing oxygen utilisation and aerobic capacity⁵. Consistent dosing over several weeks is key to seeing measurable changes, but responses vary with extract type, species, and individual fitness. Liquid or dual-extracted formats, like those from Switch Nutrition, could potentially deliver bioactives more efficiently, though direct research is limited.

What’s The Bottom Line On Cordyceps For Endurance?

Cordyceps are a natural, safe, and effective ergogenic aid that may enhance endurance, recovery and physiological resilience in athletes. While individual trial results are mixed, athletes can maximise benefits by choosing the right dose and duration. Typical recommendations are 2-3g/day (1-2 ml of Switch Cordyceps) or 10 mg/kg body weight, taken consistently for 6-12 weeks to support improvements in oxygen utilisation and endurance performance.

Ash Miller
Dietitian and Nutritionist (Masters)
Bachelor of Physical and Health Education
Instagram: @ashthomo_nutrition

References

1. Zhu, J.S., Halpern, G.M. & Jones, K., 1998. The scientific rediscovery of an ancient Chinese herbal medicine: Cordyceps sinensis. Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 4(3), pp.289–303.

2. Paterson, R.R.M., 2008. Cordyceps – A traditional Chinese medicine and another fungal therapeutic biofactory? Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 118(1), pp.1–13.

3. Hirsch, K.R. et al., 2017. Cordyceps militaris supplementation and exercise performance. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(2), pp.152–165.

4. Savioli, F.P., Zogaib, P., Franco, E., de Salles, F.C.A., Giorelli, G.V. & Andreoli, C.V., 2022. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis supplementation during 12 weeks in amateur marathoners: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Journal of Herbal Medicine, 34, p.100570.

5. Shu MY, Zhang XC, Zuo L, Jiang FL, Liang J, Li F. Effects of fungal supplementation on endurance, immune function, and hematological profiles in adult athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Nutr. 2025 Nov 6;12:1670416. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2025.1670416. PMID: 41280379; PMCID: PMC12631420.

6. Parcell AC, Smith JM, Schulthies SS, Myrer JW, Fellingham G. Cordyceps Sinensis (CordyMax Cs-4) supplementation does not improve endurance exercise performance. Int J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab. 2004 Apr;14(2):236-42. doi: 10.1123/ijsnem.14.2.236. PMID: 15118196.

Disclaimer

The content in this blog is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always speak with your doctor or allied health team before changing your diet, exercise, or taking supplements, especially if you have a health condition or take medication. Please use this information as a guide only. Aid Station doesn't take responsibility for individual outcomes.