If you love coffee as much as we do… then you may want to give this recipe a try! Mixing two drinks with equal parts of coffee and cordyceps may well be one of the healthiest combinations there is!
What is Cordyceps?
Cordyceps is a member of the fly agaric family, which also makes it a kind of fungus. However, unlike similar-looking fungi such as Amanita species or Psilocybe cubensis, cordyceps does not contain psychedelic compounds such as psilocin and psilenolactones. Instead, cordyceps is known for its high concentration of resveratrol—a potent antioxidant found in grape skins that has been widely acknowledged for its potent power against aging.
It is a type of fungus that is found in high-elevation areas of the northern part of South America. Its spores are dispersed by the wind, so it’s thought to be a relatively constant part of the environment there. The fruits of this fungus are traditionally consumed by the Yajé people of the Amazon, but they’re also now known to be a useful dietary supplement. Interestingly, the same species that produces a powerful antioxidant also produces a compound called emodin which may have antioxidant and immune-boosting properties.
In fact, studies have shown that drinking up to 10 cups of coffee per day shows promise in improving your body’s response to stress by increasing levels of the stress hormone cortisol. As a result, many people now add cordyceps to their coffee routine—and the results may be worth it!
Health Benefits of Cordyceps
Friends and family may think that only people who like to get their freak on are into cordyceps – but the research doesn’t really back this up.
The spirulina-like fungus Cordyceps militaris is known for its high concentration of capillitas, which are small hairs found in all plants. As a result, it’s also well known for its ability to strengthen the immune system and boost energy levels. It’s one of the most widely used medicinal fungi in the world, with more than 10,000 different species known to exist. Many people mix it with coffee as a way to give their body a boost and help them get through the day.
Cordyceps has been widely acknowledged for its potent antioxidant and immunity-boosting properties. As a result, it’s been added to many popular health-boosting beverages, foods, and beverages as dietary supplements.
We’ll discuss the health benefits of Cordyceps below, but first, it’s important to understand how it may help with stress management. Stress is something all of us deal with on a daily basis. Whether it’s from a hectic social situation, a demanding work schedule, or from living in a culture where certain types of stress are considered normal, we all experience stress from time to time.
Studies have found that consuming a daily cup of coffee with a high-dose batch of Cordyceps can help you to reduce your stress levels lower. As a result, consuming Cordyceps alongside your favorite stress-reducing beverages may be a great way to go when it comes to managing your stress!
How Can Cordyceps Affects You?
Similar to how your body reacts to various drugs differently depending on what region of the world you’re in, there is some variation in how Cordyceps affects people depending on where you live and what time of the year you’re drinking it. While the effects of cordyceps are likely similar in all regions of the world, there are some important differences between the effects of cordyceps in North America and Europe and the effects of it in Asia. Again, this is likely similar to how other drugs interact with one another. The reason is likely related to differences in diet and other lifestyle factors.
How Does Cordyceps Work?
As we mentioned above, the main active compound in Cordyceps is called resveratrol. Many studies have focused on whether or not consuming large amounts of dietary antioxidants can improve aging by preventing or limiting the damage caused by oxidative stress—the condition created when cells’ antioxidants are low or unable to protect them against harmful chemicals and radiation damage. In the case of resveratrol, studies have found that consuming high amounts of it can actually reverse the damage caused by aging. This makes sense because antioxidants essentially protect your cells from harmful external factors such as UV rays or reactive oxygen radicals, which are essentially “rogue” molecules produced by cells that can damage them. However, consuming large amounts of antioxidants does not always mean that you have to sacrifice helpfulness. In fact, consuming moderate amounts of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals along with high amounts of antioxidants can actually help the body to retain more of those helpful things and prevent them from getting lost in the aging process.
How to Add Cordyceps to Coffee?
You can add Cordyceps to coffee either fresh or dried. If you’re adding fresh, use any good-quality coffee. If you’re adding dried, you can either purchase a bottle of Cordyceps or find a recipe online that uses spices and other ingredients to bring out the flavor of the coffee. As we mentioned above, the flavor of dried Cordyceps can be pretty intense, so you may want to add it in small amounts so that you can get a feel for how much to use and how strong the flavor is. If you’re making coffee as a snack or a post-workout recovery drink, you may not need to add as much as if you’re making coffee as part of your daily routine.
Is It More Effective for Stress Management?
One of the main reasons people add Cordyceps to their coffee is for the potential stress-reducing properties it has. This is especially true when you’re dealing with high-intensity stressors such as work situations or family situations that are causing you stress. Studies have found that consuming high amounts of coffee with certain types of fungi such as Psilocybe and Copelandia has been shown to increase the amount of stress hormones cortisol and DOPAC in your blood. On the other hand, consuming high amounts of Cordyceps has been found to reduce these stress hormones in your system by balancing out your diet with antioxidants. As a result, consuming both together may be more effective at lowering stress hormones than just drinking coffee on its own.
Which Type of Coffee Has the Most Impact?
Depending on your needs, you may be better off drinking a cup of coffee made from Psilocybe or Copelandia mushrooms alone. If you’re interested in boosting your health and having the most impact with the least amount of effort, though, you may want to consider adding Cordyceps to your routine. Copelandia and Psilocybe mushrooms are both known to contain powerful antioxidants. It’s likely that consuming Copelandia or Psilocybe mushrooms will provide you with more health benefits than consuming a cup of coffee alone. Not only that, but consuming Copelandia or Psilocybe mushrooms along with Cordyceps may provide a more potent effect for those individuals looking for a boost in health.
The Bottom Line
People who consume large amounts of caffeine regularly have been observed to have reduced levels of protein in their muscles due to a decline in the anabolic hormone IGF-1. On the other hand, individuals who consume small amounts of Cordyceps can benefit from its potent antioxidant and immunity-boosting properties. As a result, consuming Cordyceps alongside your favorite coffee may provide additional health benefits! Luckily, you don’t have to add it manually, because Lean Joe Bean did the work for you. Try this superfood coffee!
