Today, researchers are uncovering how Cordyceps supports mitochondrial energy production, oxygen utilization, and muscle endurance – making it a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Both offer distinct benefits - Cordyceps excels in enhancing physical performance and energy, while Ashwagandha shines in managing stress and promoting calm. This blog explores how Cordyceps and Ashwagandha supplements stack up against the other - and why Manapura’s Cordyceps Dual Extract may be your best choice when peak performance, resilience and immune function are your goals.

Let’s dive deeper into how these supplements work in the body, and how choosing the right one - or combining both - can elevate your mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing.

What Are Adaptogens?

Adaptogens are natural substances - typically herbs or fungi - that support the body’s stress response mechanism, helping to maintain homeostasis. Rooted in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), adaptogens today are backed by growing scientific research.

Unique in many ways, Adaptogens help the body resist and recover from the physical, chemical, and biological effects of stress. They do this by supporting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and modulating cortisol levels. Unlike stimulants that provide a temporary boost, adaptogens work to normalise body function, restoring balance where it's needed. This makes them a sustainable choice for long-term vitality.

Cordyceps and Ashwagandha are two of the most researched adaptogens, as well as being two of the most popular and scientifically supported choices. Both are historically revered and increasingly validated by modern clinical studies.

Cordyceps – The Performance Powerhouse

Cordyceps, a powerful functional mushroom, has been revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine for centuries as a tonic for energy and vitality. Cordyceps is known for supporting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems, boosting energy production at a cellular level, and enhancing oxygen use.

What are the benefits of Cordyceps?

Cordyceps has long been used to support lung and kidney health, boost stamina, and enhance vitality. Today, researchers are uncovering how Cordyceps supports mitochondrial energy production, oxygen utilization, and muscle endurance - making it a popular choice among athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

Cordyceps Human Evidence is Strong

The following highlights some key Cordyceps research findings;

“This pilot study suggests that supplementation with Cs‑4 (Cordyceps sinensis) improves exercise performance … in healthy older adults."
Chen et al., (2010)

“Our results provide the first human evidence demonstrating an accelerated resolution of exercise-induced muscle inflammation by pre-exercise Cordyceps supplementation."
Dewi et al., (2024)

“Ingestion of Cordyceps Sinensis extract … treadmill exercise times were significantly prolonged and aerobic capacity was increased in the runners."
Nakamura et al., (2024)

Ashwagandha – The Stress Soother

Ashwagandha, or Withania Somnifera, is a cornerstone of Ayurveda. Known for its calming, and stress-regulating properties, it also carried benefits towards sleep quality - similar to Manapura’s Reishi.

Ashwagandha also supports mental clarity and hormonal balance - making it particularly valuable for those managing anxiety, burnout, or elevated cortisol. It functions by balancing hormones, especially by reducing cortisol and enhancing thyroid function, and so Ashwagandha is celebrated for its ability to reduce stress, promote relaxation, and balance hormones.

In a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled 2012 study, subjects taking Ashwagandha experienced significant reductions in perceived stress and serum cortisol levels. Chandrasekhar et al., (2012)

Head-to-Head Comparison

Cordyceps and Ashwagandha complement each other naturally: Cordyceps fuels performance, while Ashwagandha calms the stress response. Together, they form a powerful adaptogenic duo that supports both body and mind.

The following table looks at their properties a little further;

Together these two natural products offer a wide-reaching adaptogenic synergy that covers stress resilience, physical stamina, immune regulation, and mood.

Why Choose Manapura’s Cordyceps Dual Extract?

Manapura’s Cordyceps Dual Extract is crafted for optimal efficacy using a dual-extraction process that pulls both water-soluble polysaccharides and alcohol-soluble cordycepin and adenosine.

This means you get the complete spectrum of benefits Cordyceps is known for - energy, immunity, endurance, and anti-inflammatory effects - in one potent liquid extract. While many Cordyceps products rely on mycelium grown on grain, Manapura uses only the fruiting body, ensuring a higher concentration of bioactive compounds. This extract is vegan, and certified organic. It's also easy to use - just a few drops under the tongue or in your favourite beverage. If you're seeking a natural performance edge, whether you're an athlete or simply someone looking to beat fatigue, this is the cleanest, most potent, and effective Cordyceps supplement available on the market.

Manapura’s Cordyceps Dual Extract stands out in mirroring traditional use, while delivering modern potency, all delivered via sustainable manufacturing processes.

Final Thoughts

Cordyceps and Ashwagandha are both time-tested adaptogens, each serving powerful but distinct functions. If peak performance, stamina, and respiratory function are your goals, Cordyceps leads. For managing stress, sleep, and cognitive clarity, Ashwagandha is top-tier.

For many people, combining both offers a resilient and balanced path forward. And if you want potent, research-backed Cordyceps – Manapura’s Dual Extract delivers it elegantly.

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