Cordyceps and Libido: What Human Data Actually Exists

Does Cordyceps militaris boost libido? The honest answer is that nobody has shown it in people. Cordyceps has been sold as a sexual tonic for centuries, and animal studies report higher testosterone, better sperm counts and faster mating behaviour in rodents. But no placebo-controlled trial has measured libido or sexual function in humans taking cordyceps on its own. Here's what the research actually contains, where the claim comes from, and what to do if low libido is the problem you're trying to solve.

This article is for adults wondering whether cordyceps is worth trying for low sex drive. It isn't a substitute for a medical check-up. Low libido can be a sign of low testosterone, thyroid problems, depression, relationship stress or a side effect of medication, and those causes need their own answers.

Where Does the Libido Claim Come From?

From tradition. The original cordyceps, now called Ophiocordyceps sinensis, grows on caterpillars on the Tibetan plateau. In traditional Chinese and Tibetan medicine it was used as a general tonic for fatigue, weakness and "kidney" deficiency, a traditional concept that includes sexual vigour. A review by researchers in Taiwan lists fatigue, chronic inflammation and male impotence among the conditions it's commonly taken for (Martel 2017).

That's a description of how people use it, not a finding that it works. The same review discusses how much of what's said about the caterpillar fungus mixes myth and reality, and why wild material is scarce and costly. Today, most products, including ours, use Cordyceps militaris, a related species that's cultivated without insects. Our comparison of Cordyceps militaris vs sinensis explains the difference.

What Do Animal Studies Show?

Several things that sound promising, all in animals. The main findings fall into three groups.

• Testosterone in mice. Cordyceps sinensis and two of its extracted fractions increased testosterone production in mouse testicular cells in the lab, and raised blood testosterone when given to mice (Hsu 2003).
• Sperm in rats. Young male rats fed a diet with 1% or 5% Cordyceps militaris mycelium for six weeks had higher sperm counts, more motile sperm and higher testosterone than rats on a normal diet (Chang 2008).
• Mating behaviour in diabetic rats. Diabetic rats have slower mating behaviour and weaker erections. Three weeks of cultured Cordyceps militaris reversed some of these changes and raised testosterone and sperm counts (Pohsa 2020). An earlier study found that a Cordyceps sinensis extract shortened erection and mounting times in castrated rats (Ji 2009).

A Japanese team also reported that a Cordyceps militaris fruiting body extract kept testosterone levels up in rats while reducing prostate enlargement driven by testosterone (Kusama 2020).

These are real studies, but they're a long way from evidence that cordyceps changes desire in people. Rodent mating tests measure reflexes and hormone-driven behaviour. Human libido depends on mood, relationships, sleep, health and expectations. And doses in animal studies are often far higher, per kilogram of body weight, than anyone would take from capsules.

Is There Any Human Data?

Very little, and none on libido as such. The closest study is a Chinese trial in 90 men with infertility. They were randomly assigned to Cordyceps sinensis (1 g twice a day), a traditional formula called Jujing Pills, or both, for 12 weeks. The combination group had better sperm motility and less sperm DNA damage than either single treatment (Yang 2021).

That study has clear limits. It measured sperm quality, not sex drive or erections. There was no placebo group, so nobody was blinded. And the strongest result came from the combination, not from cordyceps alone.

Reviews of cordyceps often mention older Chinese clinical reports on "hyposexuality". Those reports weren't placebo-controlled to modern standards, and most aren't available in indexed journals, so they can't be checked. We haven't found a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of either cordyceps species that used a recognised measure of sexual desire or function.

What About Human Trials of Cordyceps for Other Things?

Those exist, and they tell us something useful about what cordyceps does and doesn't do in people. The best-studied area is exercise. In a placebo-controlled trial in healthy older adults, a Cordyceps sinensis product called Cs-4 improved some measures of exercise performance (Chen 2010). In trained cyclists, the same product didn't improve endurance (Parcell 2004). Our guide to what human cordyceps studies actually show covers this in detail.

There's also a 2024 randomised trial of a Cordyceps militaris drink in healthy adults that looked at immune markers (Ontawong 2024). None of these trials measured hormones linked to libido, such as testosterone, as a main outcome. So even indirect human evidence is missing.

Could Cordyceps Help Indirectly?

Possibly, but that's speculation. Low energy and tiredness can dampen desire, and some people take cordyceps because they feel less fatigued on it. If that's your experience, any knock-on effect on libido would come from feeling better generally, not from a direct effect on sex hormones in people, which hasn't been shown.

It's worth being honest about expectation too. Libido is very sensitive to the placebo effect. Studies of sexual function treatments regularly find sizeable improvements in placebo groups. That's one reason anecdotes about libido supplements are so unreliable, and why placebo-controlled trials matter here more than in many other areas.

What Are the Safety Considerations?

Cordyceps is generally well tolerated in short-term trials. Mild stomach upset is the most common complaint. But a few points matter if you're considering it for sexual health:

• Hormone-sensitive conditions. Because animal studies suggest effects on testosterone and oestrogen-producing cells (Huang 2004), people with hormone-sensitive conditions, such as prostate or breast cancer, should check with their doctor first.
• Bleeding and blood sugar. Cordyceps may affect blood clotting and blood sugar. Take care if you use blood thinners or diabetes medicines.
• Immune-suppressing drugs. Cordyceps seems to stimulate parts of the immune system, so it may work against immunosuppressants.
• Combination products. "Male vitality" blends sometimes contain other ingredients, including undeclared prescription drugs in the worst cases. Buy single-ingredient products with a clear label.

Our article on cordyceps side effects and interactions has the full list.

What Should You Do About Low Libido Instead?

Start with a check-up. Low libido that's new, persistent or bothering you deserves a proper look, because it often has a cause that can be treated. Your doctor may check testosterone (for men), thyroid function, blood sugar, iron and your medicines. Antidepressants, some blood pressure medicines and hormonal contraceptives can all lower desire.

Sleep, alcohol, stress and relationship strain matter too, and they're often the biggest factors. Better sleep and less alcohol have real effects on hormones and mood.

If you still want to try cordyceps, do it with realistic expectations. Use a product with a clear species and dose on the label, take it consistently for a few weeks, and keep a simple log. If nothing changes, the research gives you no reason to keep going or to increase the amount. Our cordyceps dosage guide covers typical amounts.

What About Ashwagandha or Other Options?

Some other supplements have human trials on sexual function, though the evidence is still limited. Ashwagandha, for example, has small placebo-controlled trials in women that measured sexual function scores. Our guide to ashwagandha for women covers them, along with the thyroid caution that comes with it. For an overview of mushrooms men commonly take, see our best mushrooms for men guide.

None of these replaces medical treatment for erectile dysfunction or diagnosed hormone problems, which have well-tested options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cordyceps increase testosterone in humans?

It hasn't been shown. Cordyceps raised testosterone in mice and rats, but no placebo-controlled human trial has found that it increases testosterone. Treat claims that it does as unproven.

Is cordyceps an aphrodisiac?

It's been used as one in traditional medicine, and it improved mating behaviour in impaired rats. There's no human trial showing it increases sexual desire.

Can cordyceps help with erectile dysfunction?

There's no human evidence that it does. A rat study found improved erectile responses in diabetic animals, but that hasn't been tested in men. See a doctor, because erectile dysfunction can be an early sign of heart or blood vessel disease.

Does cordyceps improve fertility?

One Chinese trial found that Cordyceps sinensis combined with a herbal formula improved sperm quality in infertile men, but it had no placebo group and the combination did better than cordyceps alone. That's not enough to recommend it for fertility.

How long would cordyceps take to work for libido?

There's no human data to say. In the rat studies, effects appeared over three to six weeks. If you try it, give it a few weeks, and stop if nothing changes.

Related Articles

• Cordyceps and Male Reproductive Health
• Cordyceps Militaris Benefits
• Cordyceps Militaris vs Sinensis
• Cordyceps Side Effects and Interactions
• Best Mushrooms for Men

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