Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Immune modulation -- caution with immunosuppressants
- Antiplatelet activity
- May affect blood coagulation
- Adulteration risk -- species substitution common
Contraindications
- Immune modulation -- caution with immunosuppressants
- Antiplatelet activity
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
Cordyceps is a medicinal fungus used for energy, athletic performance, and respiratory health. Contains cordycepin, adenosine analogues, and polysaccharides. Clinical evidence for athletic performance is modest. May interact with immunosuppressants.
Biological and Chemical Classification
- Scientific Name
- Cordyceps sinensis / Cordyceps militaris
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
- Main clinical benefit observed: Botanical
- Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)
- Immune modulation -- caution with immunosuppressants
- Antiplatelet activity
- May affect blood coagulation
- Adulteration risk -- species substitution common
The available scientific evidence for Cordyceps indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.
Total SETI Score
High risk| Evidence quality | 10/40 |
| Evidence consistency | 20/20 |
| Safety signals | 0/20 |
| Study recency | 10/10 |
| Evidence transparency | 10/10 |
Evidence Summary
- 10 studies reviewed
- 0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
- 0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
- 10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)
Evidence Policy
Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.
Last updated: 25 მარ 2026, 22:37
Evidence Distribution
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWMushrooms as potent autophagy modulators in cancer therapy: Current evidence and therapeutic prospects. ↗Hasan MM et al.. Mushrooms as potent autophagy modulators in cancer therapy: Current evidence and therapeutic prospects.. Cancer Pathog Ther. 2026. PMID:41853122.PMID 41853122 ↗Journal Cancer Pathog TherYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41853122/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWHow in situ produced dextrans with distinct molecular structures modulate texture and in vitro digestive behavior of mycelium-based high-fiber bread. ↗Wang Y et al.. How in situ produced dextrans with distinct molecular structures modulate texture and in vitro digestive behavior of mycelium-based high-fiber bread.. Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41844111.PMID 41844111 ↗Journal Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41844111/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWA Potent Fibrinolytic Enzyme Alp1 from Cordyceps militaris: From Sequence-Function Characterization to in Vivo Antithrombotic Application. ↗Lin S et al.. A Potent Fibrinolytic Enzyme Alp1 from Cordyceps militaris: From Sequence-Function Characterization to in Vivo Antithrombotic Application.. J Agric Food Chem. 2026. PMID:41841572.PMID 41841572 ↗Journal J Agric Food ChemYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41841572/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWIdentification of differential proteins in Cordyceps militaris cultured with different nitrogen sources via proteomic analysis. ↗Wei J et al.. Identification of differential proteins in Cordyceps militaris cultured with different nitrogen sources via proteomic analysis.. Int J Biol Macromol. 2026. PMID:41839275.PMID 41839275 ↗Journal Int J Biol MacromolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41839275/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWBeauvericin Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Attenuates EMT-Associated Phenotypes and Angiogenic Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro. ↗Kwon M et al.. Beauvericin Induces Mitochondrial Apoptosis and Attenuates EMT-Associated Phenotypes and Angiogenic Signaling in Colorectal Cancer Cells In Vitro.. J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2026. PMID:41834564.PMID 41834564 ↗Journal J Microbiol BiotechnolYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41834564/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWCurrent Evidence of Ergogenic and Post-Exercise Recovery Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Cordyceps militaris in Humans-A Narrative Review. ↗Ju0119drejko M et al.. Current Evidence of Ergogenic and Post-Exercise Recovery Effects of Dietary Supplementation with Cordyceps militaris in Humans-A Narrative Review.. Nutrients. 2026. PMID:41829950.PMID 41829950 ↗Journal NutrientsYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41829950/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWAntithrombotic Effects of Cordycepin-Enriched WIB-801CE via Inhibition of Thromboxane A(2)-Induced u03b1IIbu03b2(3) Activation and Thrombin-Mediated Fibrin Clot Retraction. ↗Park MK et al.. Antithrombotic Effects of Cordycepin-Enriched WIB-801CE via Inhibition of Thromboxane A(2)-Induced u03b1IIbu03b2(3) Activation and Thrombin-Mediated Fibrin Clot Retraction.. Int J Mol Sci. 2026. PMID:41828477.PMID 41828477 ↗Journal Int J Mol SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41828477/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWEvaluation of the Impact of Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium on Vision Health: A Cohort Study. ↗Sun L et al.. Evaluation of the Impact of Cordyceps cicadae Mycelium on Vision Health: A Cohort Study.. Int J Med Sci. 2026. PMID:41799767.PMID 41799767 ↗Journal Int J Med SciYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41799767/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWNeomycin-sensitive gut bacteria-derived brassicasterol mediates the anti-obesity effects of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide. ↗Cai J et al.. Neomycin-sensitive gut bacteria-derived brassicasterol mediates the anti-obesity effects of Cordyceps militaris polysaccharide.. Food Res Int. 2026. PMID:41794459.PMID 41794459 ↗Journal Food Res IntYear 2026Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41794459/
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Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOWFlavorzyme Hydrolyzed Cordyceps militaris Mushroom Enhanced Quality and Functional Properties of Chicken Breast Meat during Storage. ↗Barido FH et al.. Flavorzyme Hydrolyzed Cordyceps militaris Mushroom Enhanced Quality and Functional Properties of Chicken Breast Meat during Storage.. Food Sci Anim Resour. 2025. PMID:41821537.PMID 41821537 ↗Journal Food Sci Anim ResourYear 2025Study type Observational / otherEvidence strength LOW evidencePubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41821537/
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for Cordyceps. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for Cordyceps
A score of 3.0 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.