Cordyceps does not artificially raise testosterone or replace medical treatment. Instead, it supports the energy, recovery, and stress-resilience pathways that testosterone depends on.

For these reasons, searches for ‘how to increase testosterone’, ‘what supplements increase testosterone’, and ‘natural ways to increase testosterone’ continue to rise across the UK and US.

This guide aims to explain these questions, as well as what cordyceps does, how it fits into natural testosterone support, how it compares to ashwagandha, and how to take it correctly.

What Is Cordyceps?

Cordyceps is a functional mushroom traditionally used to support energy, stamina, libido, and physical performance. Reviews of traditional and experimental literature describe Cordyceps species as also commonly used for vitality, sexual health, and endurance support (Jiraungkoorskul et al., 2016). Modern research focuses primarily on Cordyceps Militaris, which contains bioactive compounds such as cordycepin and polysaccharides. Although another notable form of the mushroom is Cordyceps Sinensis.

Cordyceps is commonly researched for its role in:

• Cellular energy production
  
  
• Oxygen utilisation
  
  
• Exercise performance and recovery
  
  
• Fatigue resistance
  
  
• Vitality and libido
  
  

These benefits are central to why cordyceps appears so frequently in conversations around testosterone and male health.

Testosterone, Energy and Ageing

Before asking what supplements increase testosterone, it is important to understand how testosterone production actually works.

Testosterone synthesis depends heavily on:

• Cellular energy availability
  
  
• Mitochondrial function
  
  
• Stress regulation and cortisol balance
  
  
• Inflammation and oxidative stress
  
  
• Sleep quality and recovery
  
  

As men age, testosterone levels naturally decline. This often happens alongside reduced energy, slower recovery, and lower training capacity. Supporting the systems that drive energy and recovery is therefore a key part of any strategy focused on natural ways to increase testosterone.

Does Cordyceps Increase Testosterone?

Cordyceps is not a synthetic hormone and it does not override the body’s endocrine system. However, it is studied for supporting the biological environment that testosterone relies on.

Rather than acting as a direct testosterone drug, cordyceps supports energy, metabolic efficiency, recovery, and stress resilience. These are all factors that influence how well the body can maintain healthy testosterone levels over time.

This systems-based support explains why cordyceps is increasingly researched and discussed as part of a natural testosterone booster approach.

How Cordyceps Supports Testosterone Naturally

Supports Cellular Energy Production
Testosterone synthesis is an energy-dependent process. Cordyceps supports ATP production and mitochondrial efficiency, helping ensure cells have the energy required for hormone production.

Supports Leydig Cell Function
Preclinical research suggests cordyceps compounds may support Leydig cells, which are responsible for testosterone production in the testes. In vitro and animal studies show that cordycepin, a key compound in cordyceps, can stimulate steroidogenesis in Leydig cells, providing a plausible biological mechanism (Leu et al., 2011).

While this evidence is primarily preclinical, it provides a plausible biological mechanism.

Supports Recovery and Stress Resilience
Chronic physical stress, poor recovery, and elevated cortisol are known to suppress testosterone. Cordyceps is widely studied for improving exercise tolerance and reducing fatigue, helping protect against stress-related testosterone suppression. Human supplementation studies have shown Cordyceps Militaris can improve tolerance to high-intensity exercise and reduce fatigue markers (Hirsch et al., 2017).

Supports Libido and Vitality
Cordyceps has a long history of use in libido and vitality support. Preclinical studies have reported improvements in sexual performance and reproductive parameters following Cordyceps supplementation (Pohsa et al., 2020). Libido and testosterone are not the same, but they are closely linked in male health discussions.

How to Increase Testosterone Naturally With Supplements

When people seek out what supplements increase testosterone, they are often looking for something that works quickly. In reality, sustainable testosterone support comes from improving the underlying physiology.

Cordyceps supports:

• Energy availability
  
  
• Training consistency
  
  
• Physical performance
  
  
• Recovery quality
  
  

These factors help create the conditions needed for healthy testosterone function, making cordyceps a practical option within a natural testosterone booster strategy focused on long-term health rather than short-term stimulation.

Cordyceps vs Ashwagandha for Testosterone Support

Ashwagandha is one of the most searched supplements for testosterone support, largely due to its effects on stress and cortisol.

Ashwagandha may be useful when:

• Chronic stress is high
  
  
• Sleep quality is poor
  
  
• Cortisol is likely suppressing testosterone
  
  

Cordyceps, however, is often the better choice when the primary goal is energy, performance, and recovery.

Cordyceps may be more suitable if:

• Low energy is the main issue
  
  
• Training performance has declined
  
  
• Recovery feels slower
  
  
• Vitality and drive are reduced
  
  

While both supplements can support natural testosterone indirectly, cordyceps tends to be more noticeable for day-to-day vitality and physical capacity. For this reason, many people seeking a testosterone booster gravitate towards cordyceps once they move beyond stress-only solutions.

Cordyceps for Men and Women

Men
Men have traditional used cordyceps to support:

• Energy and stamina
  
  
• Exercise performance
  
  
• Libido
  
  
• Age-related vitality decline
  
  

By supporting energy metabolism and recovery, cordyceps helps maintain the biological conditions required for healthy testosterone function.

Women
Cordyceps is also used by women for energy, endurance, and hormonal resilience. Testosterone plays a role in female health as well, particularly for energy and muscle function, though at much lower levels.

How to Take Cordyceps for Testosterone and Vitality

Recommended Cordyceps Dosage
The recommended dosage of cordyceps is not a well-defined area. However best practices include:

• Taking cordyceps once daily or split into two doses
  
  
• Often taken in the morning or pre-exercise
  
  
• Can be taken with or without food
  
  

Consistency is more important than timing.

How to Choose the Best Cordyceps Supplement

If you are using cordyceps as part of a natural testosterone booster approach, quality matters. Look for:

• 100 percent fruiting body, not mycelium on grain
  
  
• Not cheap imported powders which are often low quality with masked and artificially ‘increased’ levels of active components
  
  
• No fillers or unnecessary excipients
  
  
• Transparent manufacturing and sourcing
  
  

Why Choose Manapura Cordyceps?

Manapura Cordyceps is formulated for vitality, performance, and long-term metabolic support. It features:

• The highest available strength Cordyceps fruiting body, liquid extract
  
  
• UK grown mushrooms, and UK produced extracts
  
  
• Fully traceable manufacturing
  
  
• Testing of batches from production facility
  
  
• Zero unnecessary additives
  
  
• A formulation designed for daily energy, recovery, and vitality support
  
  

Conclusion

Cordyceps does not artificially raise testosterone or replace medical treatment. Instead, it supports the energy, recovery, and stress-resilience pathways that testosterone depends on.

For those researching how to increase testosterone, and searching for which supplements increase testosterone, cordyceps offers a science-led, credible natural testosterone booster, which is a sustainable option focused on long-term vitality rather than short-term hormonal manipulation.

Manapura’s commitment to purity, transparency, and performance makes cordyceps a natural fit for those who want to support testosterone health in a responsible, evidence-aligned way.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How to increase testosterone naturally?
  
  Focus on sleep, resistance training, stress management, and supplements that support energy and recovery such as cordyceps.
  
  
• What supplements increase testosterone?
  
  

  Very few supplements directly raise testosterone. Many, including cordyceps, support the systems that help maintain healthy testosterone levels.

  
  
• Is cordyceps a natural testosterone booster?
  
  Cordyceps supports energy, recovery, and vitality, making it a useful component of a natural testosterone support strategy.
  

Disclaimer: This article is for general information and educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Manapura products are food supplements, not medicines, and should not be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. If you have a medical condition, take prescription medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, always consult your healthcare professional before use. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.

References

Leu, S.-F., Poon, S. L., Pao, H.-Y., & Huang, B.-M. (2011). The in vivo and in vitro stimulatory effects of cordycepin on mouse Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, 75(4), 723–731.

Hirsch, K. R., Smith-Ryan, A. E., Roelofs, E. J., Trexler, E. T., & Mock, M. G. (2017). Cordyceps militaris improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise after acute and chronic supplementation. Journal of Dietary Supplements, 14(1), 42–53. 

Pohsa, S., Hanchang, W., Singpoonga, N., Chaiprasart, P., & Taepavarapruk, P. (2020). Effects of cultured Cordyceps militaris on sexual performance and erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. BioMed Research International, 2020, 4198397. 

Jiraungkoorskul, K., & Jiraungkoorskul, W. (2016). Review of naturopathy of medical mushroom, Ophiocordyceps sinensis, in sexual dysfunction. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 10(19), 1–5.

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