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Can Cordyceps Mushrooms Increase Testosterone Levels?

Cordyceps mushrooms are known as the Himalayan Viagra due to the beneficial effects they can have on testosterone production.

We looked into the latest research on cordyceps and testosterone and were quite impressed with the results. Check it out.

Article Jumplinks:

What are the benefits of taking cordyceps?

How does cordyceps make you feel?

Are there any side effects to taking cordyceps?

What is testosterone?

Does cordyceps raise testosterone?

Can cordyceps increase DHT?

How can you take cordyceps for testosterone?

How much cordyceps is in Forij granola?

What are Cordyceps Mushrooms?

Cordyceps mushrooms were a staple in traditional Chinese medicine and are still widely regarded as one of the healthiest mushrooms you can consume.

Scientific research on the health benefits of these adaptogenic mushrooms is still in its infancy. However, they show incredible potential in the prevention and treatment of many illnesses and in maintaining optimal physical and mental health.

Cordyceps Benefits

Cordyceps seems to benefit virtually every organ in the human body. It acts as a natural exercise performance enhancer, and research suggests that it can even prevent certain forms of cancer, lower cholesterol levels, prevent oxidative damage, and provide immune response benefits.

Cordyceps also appears to have protective effects against chronic inflammation, and lowers acute inflammatory processes related to renal transplantation.

Here are some of the most pronounced cordyceps benefits:

  • anticancer activity through the induction of apoptosis of cancer cells (cordyceps is one of the best adaptogenic mushrooms for bladder cancer)
  • chronic kidney disease symptom relief
  • hypolipidemic activity
  • antioxidant activities
  • anti-aging effects
  • sex drive enhancing benefits
  • hypoglycemic activity (it appears to lower blood glucose levels in diabetic mice and people)
  • energy-boosting properties (it improves exercise performance and endurance)
  • digestive health benefits
  • anti-inflammatory properties

Cordyceps militaris

Cordyceps Dangers

Cordyceps mushrooms have been used for millennia, and are safe and beneficial to consume for most people. However, the effects of these mushrooms can interact with certain medications and illnesses, and there's a dearth of clinical studies that examine these side effects. 

Some of the common side effects of cordyceps may include:

  • slow blood clotting
  • increased risk of bleeding during and after surgery
  • increased symptoms of autoimmune diseases that slow blood clotting (such as hemophilia)
  • allergic reactions

Best Time to Take Cordyceps

It’s best to take cordyceps mushrooms in the morning or early afternoon. These mushrooms can have energy-boosting effects, so it can be beneficial to take them before you start your workday. If you take them later in the day, cordyceps may disrupt your sleep and make you feel restless.

What is Testosterone?

Testosterone is an androgen steroid hormone associated with male sperm production and sexual function. The testicles are primarily responsible for testosterone production in men. Women’s ovaries produce testosterone as well, though in smaller amounts.

The production of testosterone is influenced by various hypothalamic hormones, such as the gonadotropin-releasing hormone and the luteinizing hormone. The latter one binds to Leydig cell (testicular cells that release testosterone) receptors and activates testosterone production.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone Production

A low level of testosterone in men is related to many symptoms, including:

  • a decrease in sex drive
  • weight gain
  • less body hair
  • thinning bones
  • reduced muscle mass
  • less energy
  • moodiness

Common Causes of Low Testosterone Levels

Testosterone production in men can start to slow down naturally around the age of 30. However, some external factors can reduce testosterone production sooner, such as:

  • alcohol and drug abuse
  • genetic conditions (Klinefelter syndrome, for example)
  • cancer treatment (radiation and chemotherapy)
  • testicular infections and injuries
  • certain medications (such as opiates and corticosteroids)

Why is Cordyceps Known as Natural Viagra?

Cordyceps is often referred to as natural or Himalayan Viagra, thanks to its beneficial effects on sexual functions and sexual stamina enhancement.

An animal study examined the in-vivo and in-vitro stimulatory effects of cordyceps on mouse Leydig cells (the primary source of testosterone in males).

Compounds extracted from the Cordyceps sinensis mycelium appeared to stimulate testosterone secretion in mice. These results are promising and warrant further research into the effects of cordyceps on male reproductive functions in humans.

cordyceps for testosterone

Does Cordyceps Raise Testosterone?

Both Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris seem to increase testosterone levels, according to several animal studies. Cordyceps supplementation directly enhances the levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone and improves sperm count and motility in tested animals. 

Cordyceps Sinensis and Testosterone

2017 functional study looked at the effects of cultured Cordyceps sinensis on testosterone production.

This study described the stimulating effect of Cordyceps sinensis aqueous extract on mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis (the biological process of steroid hormone production). It also examined the possible implementation of compounds found in the mycelia of Cordyceps sinensis, such as adenosine and cordycepin, in male reproduction.

In mice, the effects of cordycepin and adenosine include higher testosterone production, steroidogenesis, and increased plasma testosterone levels. These bioactive compounds stimulate PKA and PKC/PLC pathways, which are known to regulate steroidogenesis.

The results from this study indicate that cordyceps can be effective in treating people with testosterone deficiencies. However, more research is needed to determine whether this fungus has the same effects on reproductive processes in people.

Cordyceps Militaris and Testosterone

study published in The American Journal of Chinese Medicine investigated the effects of Cordyceps militaris supplementation on sperm production and mobility in Sprague-Dawley rats. The animals were given a supplement made from the cordyceps mycelium for six weeks.

When compared to rats that weren’t given the supplement, those that were taking Cordyceps militaris had a significantly higher epididymal sperm count. These results indicate that Cordyceps militaris supplementation improves sperm quantity and quality in rats, warranting further research to determine whether these effects apply to humans.

Can Cordyceps Increase DHT?

2020 study seems to confirm that cordyceps can increase DHT, at least in animals. This study examined the effects of compounds extracted from the fruit bodies of Cordyceps militaris on sexual performance and erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats.

This mushroom had inhibitory effects on testosterone-induced prostate hypertrophy but didn’t lower testosterone or DHT levels. On the contrary, cordyceps increased the secretion of DHT and testosterone by primary testicular cells and caused cell proliferation (an increase in the number of cells) of testicular tissues.

What We Can Conclusively Say About Cordyceps and Testosterone

Here’s what we know to date about cordyceps and testosterone:

  1. Cordyceps mushrooms are often referred to as natural Viagra due to their beneficial effects on testosterone levels and sexual functions.
  2. Cordyceps sinensis regulates steroidogenesis and improves testosterone production, at least in animals.
  3. Cordyceps militaris seems to improve sperm motility and production in Sprague-Dawley rats.
  4. Compounds found in the fruiting body of Cordyceps militaris appear to increase DHT levels.
  5. More human studies are needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of cordyceps mushrooms and their effects on testosterone.
  6. Given that there are no downsides to taking cordyceps mushrooms, it may make sense to include them as a complementary and alternative medicine to prevent low testosterone levels.

Are You Interested in Taking Cordyceps for Testosterone?

If you want to take cordyceps to maintain optimal testosterone levels, why not have it in a delicious bowl of granola?

With our mushroom granola, you don’t have to worry about forgetting your daily supplements, because you get your daily dose of cordyceps in your breakfast!

You’ll also reap the beneficial effects of chaga and lion’s mane (which can also stimulate testosterone production). All that in a vegan, gluten-free bowl of deliciousness you’ll be ecstatic to eat every morning.

Forij superfood granola

How Much Cordyceps is in Forij Granola?

Forij granola uses a high-quality cordyceps extract made from whole medicinal mushrooms. Our dual extraction method extracts both water-soluble beta-glucans as well as alcohol-soluble triterpenes. Our decoction process breaks down indigestible chitin cell walls of the mushroom to get much more of these compounds out than ordinary processes do.

One serving of our granola provides 250 mg of hyperconcentrated extract of cordyceps, which is eight times more concentrated than a regular cordyceps supplement. Therefore, you get as much cordyceps potency as you would if you were taking a 2000 mg mushroom powder supplement, all in one bowl of granola.

Cordyceps Dosage for ED

The cordyceps dosage for erectile dysfunction varies depending on which mushroom product you’re using. Follow the directions provided by the brand, especially if you’re new to adaptogenic mushrooms.

When it comes to Forij granola, one serving per day (which equates to around 2000 mg of cordyceps in powder form) is enough to prevent and fight erectile dysfunction.

Cordyceps and Testosterone FAQ

What happens when you take cordyceps?

You can expect to feel more energized after taking cordyceps, especially if you exercise or do some physical activity about an hour after taking the mushroom. If you take this fungus consistently for at least a month, you’ll also reap its anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, and many other long-term benefits.

Is cordyceps anabolic?

Low carbohydrate foods that help you build muscle are often referred to as anabolic foods, and cordyceps is one of the most widely-researched anabolic foods. Cordyceps can improve athletic performance, increase energy, and accelerate muscle gains, making them a staple fungus in an anabolic diet.

Do cordyceps mushrooms raise estrogen?

Cordyceps has not been adequately studied to determine whether it can raise estrogen levels. However, this mushroom appears to prevent estrogen deficiency, at least in animals.

2014 animal study examined the effects of cordyceps on estrogen levels in ovariectomized rats. Results show that cordyceps prevented various symptoms related to estrogen deficiency, including osteoporosis.

Does chaga increase testosterone?

Yes, chaga mushrooms seem to increase levels of testosterone. A recent study looked at the effects of Inonotus obliquus on testosterone levels in mice after a Toxoplasma gondii infection.

Chaga mushrooms appeared to increase serum testosterone levels and ameliorate reproductive function impairments caused by the infection. These promising results warrant further research to understand the effects of this mushroom on humans.

Forij Disclaimer

This article was written strictly for informational purposes and is not intended to inform about medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any kind. The statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

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