Cordyceps Militaris for Endurance Sports: A Natural Edge For Endurance Athletes?

In the world of endurance sports, athletes are constantly searching for anything which can give them an extra inch or millisecond. Whether it’s through better training techniques, specialised diets, or effective supplements. 

One mushroom supplement which has gained significant attention in recent years is Cordyceps Militaris, this is due to the compound cordycepin it produces, which has been reported to boost endurance, improve energy levels and enhance VO2 max (oxygen uptake).

As a result, runners and cyclists, in particular, are turning to Cordyceps Militaris to gain a natural edge in their sport.

In this article, we’ll explore how Cordyceps Militaris can benefit endurance athletes, its impact on energy levels, respiratory function, and recovery, and how you can incorporate it into your training routine.

What is Cordyceps Militaris?

Cordyceps Militaris is a type of fungus that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Historically, it was prized for its ability to fight fatigue, enhance vitality, and improve respiratory health. Modern research is now supporting many of these claims, and the mushroom has become particularly popular among athletes who rely on sustained energy and endurance to perform at their best.

It contains a unique compound called cordycepin, which is believed to be responsible for many of its performance-enhancing properties. Cordycepin helps increase the body's production of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), a molecule that provides energy to muscles, allowing athletes to push themselves harder and longer during physical activity, in a similar way to the supplement creatine.

What Cordyceps Militaris Is NOT.

Cordyceps militaris is not the same as the famous Cordyceps sinensis or its myceliated product, CS-4, which were associated with the Chinese Olympic team's success.

However, Cordyceps militaris actually contains higher levels of the beneficial compound cordycepin compared to both Cordyceps sinensis and CS-4. This was not widely known in the 1990s, as the scientific understanding of Cordyceps militaris and its compounds was still developing at that time.


Ironically Cordyceps Militaris is relatively easy to cultivate, Cordyceps Sinensis is not and has a huge price tag due to the rarity.

Cordyceps Militaris is NOT a stimulant.

There are many misconceptions about Cordyceps militaris and its key compound, cordycepin. I think it’s important to clarify that Cordyceps militaris is not a stimulant like caffeine, and it doesn’t provide a “buzz”.

Instead, it works on the same energy system as creatine (ATP), enhancing the body’s physical performance rather than offering a temporary surge of energy.

I like to think of it as “greasing the gears” rather than adding rocket fuel to the motor, it optimizes your natural energy systems.

This makes it a great pre-workout supplement, especially for evening workouts or for those who prefer to avoid the jittery effects of caffeine.

 

My Personal Experience with Cordyceps Supplementation.

Here is why I love Cordyceps militaris, I don’t have to worry about feeling jittery or messing with my sleep later, which happens to me with caffeine.

When I brew it as a tea before a workout, I don’t feel an energy rush, but I do notice that I can push myself harder and for longer. I feel less fatigue, even when I’m pushing close to failure, and I don’t get the crash or restless nights that caffeine sometimes causes.

I’ve also noticed that I wake up feeling less fatigued, probably because the tonic is great for hydration but also helps with lactic acid buildup. It feels like it’s helping my recovery, not just my performance during workouts.

The Science Behind Cordyceps Militaris and Endurance

One of the main reasons endurance athletes are turning to Cordyceps Militaris is its potential to improve oxygen utilisation, which is critical for activities like running and cycling. The mushroom has been shown to increase VO2 max, which refers to the maximum amount of oxygen the body can use during intense exercise.

For running or cycling, this means more oxygen is delivered to the muscles, allowing for better performance and stamina during long-distance events.

Cordyceps have also been found to increase blood flow, helping to deliver essential nutrients to muscles and removing waste products like lactic acid, which can cause fatigue.

This leads to improved endurance and less muscle fatigue during intense exercise, which is especially important for athletes involved in activities like marathons or long cycling tours.

Respiratory Benefits: Why Cordyceps Is Great for Endurance Athletes

One of the most critical factors in endurance sports is respiratory efficiency. Whether you’re a runner or a cyclist, your ability to take in and use oxygen directly impacts your performance. Cordyceps Militaris has been shown to enhance respiratory function by increasing oxygen absorption in the lungs, which helps deliver more oxygen to the muscles.

For endurance athletes, this can translate into improved stamina and less fatigue during intense physical activity. Cordyceps Militaris has also been used to help individuals with respiratory issues, such as asthma, which can further enhance its appeal to athletes looking for natural ways to improve their lung function.

Post-Exercise Recovery: How Cordyceps Militaris Helps You Bounce Back

Recovery is just as important as performance when it comes to endurance sports. After long, gruelling runs or rides, your muscles need time to recover and rebuild. Cordyceps Militaris may help accelerate this process by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the muscles.

This may result in shorter recovery times, and improve your ability to train consistently without the risk of overtraining.

Cordyceps Militaris for Runners: Improving Stamina and Speed

For runners, stamina and speed are critical factors in achieving peak performance. Whether you're a long-distance runner, a sprinter, or someone in between, Cordyceps Militaris can play a valuable role in your training and race day strategy.

Increased Oxygen Uptake for Performance

As mentioned earlier, Cordyceps helps improve VO2 max, which allows runners to use oxygen more efficiently. This is particularly important for long-distance runners who need to maintain a steady pace for extended periods. By increasing the amount of oxygen your body can utilise, Cordyceps enables you to run longer distances with less fatigue.

Faster Recovery for Quicker Gains

One of the key challenges for runners is recovering from intense workouts or races. Cordyceps Militaris has been shown to help reduce muscle soreness and inflammation after exercise, allowing you to recover more quickly and get back to training faster. The faster your recovery, the more you can train, which leads to quicker improvements in endurance and speed.

Cordyceps Militaris for Cycling: Boosting Endurance and Reducing Fatigue

Cycling, like running, is a sport that demands high levels of endurance, especially during long rides or competitions. Whether you’re riding through hilly terrains or participating in a multi-stage race, Cordyceps Militaris can provide significant benefits for cyclists looking to improve their stamina and reduce fatigue.

Sustained Energy for Long Rides

Long rides can be mentally and physically exhausting, especially when fatigue sets in during the final miles. Cordyceps Militaris has been shown to help increase ATP production, giving cyclists a sustained energy boost throughout their ride.

This means less reliance on sugary energy gels or drinks and more natural energy from your body's own processes.

Enhancing Endurance in High-Intensity Intervals

Many cyclists train with high-intensity intervals to improve their overall speed and endurance.

These intervals push your body to its limit, requiring maximum energy and oxygen uptake. Cordyceps Militaris enhances endurance by improving oxygen utilisation and reducing the buildup of lactic acid, allowing cyclists to maintain their intensity for longer periods without feeling as much fatigue.

How to Incorporate Cordyceps Militaris into Your Routine

Cordyceps Militaris is available in various forms, including tinctures, powders, and whole mushrooms. The most effective way to incorporate Cordyceps into your routine is to take it regularly as part of your daily supplement intake.

Personally, I enjoy consuming Cordyceps by brewing it into a tea or tonic, which I find particularly useful before a workout or during longer training sessions. Cordycepin, the main active ingredient in Cordyceps militaris, is indeed water-soluble to a significant degree and can be effectively extracted through traditional methods like brewing tea.

For faster results, I recommend drinking the entire tea about 30 minutes before exercise, as this allows the cordycepin to be absorbed more quickly, helping to enhance physical performance. Alternatively, the tonic can be sipped gradually throughout a longer workout, providing a slower, sustained release of its benefits.

Cordyceps Militaris Powder
Cordyceps Militaris Whole
Cordyceps Tincture

Recommended Dosage

While there is no universal dosage for Cordyceps militaris, many athletes typically consume between 1 to 3 grams per day. If you've ever seen 1- 3 grams in powdered form, you'll understand why brewing it into a tea is a preferred method for me!

The optimal dosage can vary based on factors such as body weight, activity level, and individual response to the supplement. It's generally best to start with a lower dose and gradually increase it as your body adjusts and you observe its effects.

Timing

For best results, take Cordyceps Militaris about 30 to 60 minutes before your workout. This will give your body enough time to absorb the supplement and start benefiting from its energy-boosting properties.

Why Endurance Athletes Should Consider Cordyceps Militaris

Cordyceps Militaris offers a wide range of benefits for endurance athletes, from improving oxygen utilisation and energy production to speeding up recovery times. Cordyceps may give you the natural edge you need to perform at your best.

Don’t wait, consider adding Cordyceps Militaris to your endurance training today and unlock your full potential!