How long does it take for cordyceps to kick in?

• Absorption rate
• Tinctures are more easily absorbed by the body compared to powders or capsules -- discussed further in this blog post
• Easier absorption typically leads to quicker effects
• Metabolism rate, age, body composition, overall health levels
• This is variable from person to person
• Dosage of cordyceps/cordycepin
• Which effects?
• Increased energy levels may take place rather quickly (within a few hours or minutes potentially)
• Reduced fatigue, reduced inflammation, and improved immune function may not take place until days or weeks of consistent use

Increased Energy Levels

How long will it take to feel an increase in energy from cordyceps? To answer this, lets first look at the question...how does cordyceps increase energy levels?

The signature compound in cordyceps is cordycepin. Cordycepin is structurally similar to adenosine -- the same adenosine that forms the backbone of cellular energy currency, adenosine triphosphate (or ATP). 

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is an adenosine molecule linked to three phosphate groups (hence the "tri" in triphosphate). ATP can be thought of a fully charged cellular battery ready to energize human functions. When a cell needs some energy, ATP is broken down into either adenosine diphosphate (two phosphate groups) or adenosine monophosphate (one phosphate group). Breaking down the ATP molecule releases energy to do things like move muscles, send cellular communication signals, or build new molecules.

Because of cordycepin's chemical similarity to adenosine, you would think that cordycepin or cordycepin triphosphate has a similar role in energy production to adenosine or adenosine triphosphate. However, this is not the case. Adenosine plays a direct role in cellular energy. Cordycepin has an indirect effect on cellular energy by impacting bodily processes related to ATP production, blood flow, oxygen utilization, and glucose metabolism.

Looking at the role of cordyceps on all these bodily processes is a fascinating subject! With this blog post, we'll focus specifically on the impact cordycepin has on AMPK. Perhaps in future blogs we'll explore other energy pathways that cordycepin may impact.

Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase or AMPK is a cellular enzyme playing a role in energy balance and metabolic regulation within the body. The main role of this enzyme is to sense when the ratio of AMP to ATP is too high. A cell experiencing too high of an AMP to ATP ratio is indicative of a cell in a low energy state. Remember that ATP being broken down to AMP is a way that cells "spend" energy.

What happens when AMPK senses the ratio of AMP to ATP is too high?

AMPK activates metabolic pathways to increase energy production and decrease energy consumption.

Increasing Energy Production

Glycolysis Activation - Glycolysis is the process in which glucose is broken down into pyruvate. ATP is produced during this process creating more energy to be spent at a cellular level. AMPK activation leads to an increase in glycolysis -- providing a quick supply of ATP to meet immediate energy needs.
Fatty Acid Oxidation - Fatty acid oxidation is the process by which fatty acids are broken down in the powerhouse of cells (the mitochondria) to produce ATP. AMPK activates enzymes involved in fatty acid oxidation, and ensures that AMPK efficiently uses its energy reserves during times of energy stress such as exercise or fasting. 

Decreasing Energy Consumption

Inhibition of Fatty Acid Synthesis - AMPK inhibits enzymes involved with fatty acid synthesis which conserves ATP. This saves energy (through the conservation of ATP) and prevents the excessive accumulation of fat. 
Inhibition of Protein Synthesis - Protein synthesis is a process that requires a significant amount of energy. AMPK inhibits the protein synthesis process, conserving energy under low ATP conditions. Protein synthesis is vital to growth and repair, but the reduction of this process can conserve energy (and contribute to potential anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects).

Although this study used mice as subjects, in vitro data also suggests that cordycepin has an impact on AMPK in a dose dependent manner. The chart below represents data collected in an in vitro (outside of an organism) experiment. 

 Chart from the paper "Cordycepin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via interaction with the γ1 subunit" showing higher dosages of cordyceps have a significant upregulation of AMPK activity

The AMPK measurements from the in vitro experiment were collected one hour after cordycepin exposure. Although this does not give an exact timeframe into how long until the energy inducing effects of cordyceps can be noticed, it gives a rough estimate. The data and typical human metabolism time suggests if cordyceps are taken in tincture form at a high enough dosage, it is reasonable to estimate that effects could be felt within two hours. This time may vary depending upon your personal metabolism, weight, or other biometrics.

However, we've had personal anecdotes from people saying they feel the effects kick in within thirty minutes or when they are in the midst of a high endurance activity. If high enough doses of cordyceps are taken anywhere from one to four hours before a longer workout, typical feedback we'll receive is "I didn't feel the same burning sensation I typically feel" or "I feel like I have an extra gear that I typically don't". 

What about effects on my immune system or my gut, how long does that take to kick in?

First, the immune system. Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 12 gives a detailed insight into the impact cordyceps militaris has on biomarkers related to immune system health using healthy adult males as study participants. The data from this research suggests it takes longer for cordyceps militaris to impact the immune system. The full episode gives a better look into this, but lets first examine some key charts.

These two images are slides from Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 12. This episode covers the paper titled "Cordyceps militaris Enhances Cell-Mediated Immunity in Healthy Korean Men". These slides provide data suggesting that more natural killer cells may be activated after four weeks of continual cordyceps militaris ingestion compared to two weeks

This slide (also from Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 12) provides data suggesting that the white blood cell multiplication rate does increase after two weeks of cordyceps militaris extract use, but this increase is even more pronounced after four weeks.

The longer term effects of cordyceps militaris, such as its anti-inflammatory, immune system boosting, and gut health improving properties may not kick in until weeks or months after use. Episode 10 of the Cordyceps Chronicles looked at the gut health boosting properties of cordyceps over an 88 day span. There were no measurements in the middle of this experiment, so we can't give a good estimate as to when these effects kicked in. However, daily cordyceps intake appeared to have a benefit to the physical layers of the gut, while lowering the amount of inflammation-related proteins, and increasing the diversity of gut bacteria in a pig model. It is reasonable to conclude these structural changes would not happen after just a couple of uses.

How long does it take for cordyceps to kick in?

Like many things...it depends! Cordyceps has a complex impact on the human organism. Cordyceps impact on AMPK, which effects energy production at a cellular level, may take place 0.5-2 hours after ingestion. However, the longer term structural benefits of cordyceps such as anti-inflammation, immune system boosting, and gut health boosting properties, may not take place until weeks or months of consistent use.

How cordyceps militaris/cordycepin impacts energy at a cellular level is a fascinating world to dive into! We breached the surface with the discussion of cordycepin's impact on AMPK, but we will further delve into this world in future Bffd content.

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In the writing of this article, I had a discussion with ChatGPT about the scientific processes at a cellular level, how cordycepin may impact these processes, and to proofread my work (chat is in the references section). I also referred back to previous Bffd Blogs and to previous Cordyceps Chronicles episodes. Finally, I used some anecdotal stories from people who have given us feedback on when they felt the effects of cordyceps.  

I apologize for any mistakes or missed citations in this article. All mistakes made are mine and mine alone.

Much love and be your best,

Johnny

REFERENCES AND FURTHER READING

Conversation with ChatGPT to assist with this article located here.

Cordycepin activates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) via interaction with the γ1 subunit
Link to paper

Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 6
Link to paper this episode is about

Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 10 
Link to paper this episode is about

Cordyceps Chronicles Episode 12
Link to paper this episode is about

How Cordycepin Works - Bffd Blog

For those interested in exploring the scientific basis of cordyceps benefits further, reputable sources such as PubMed and Google Scholar offer a wealth of research articles and studies on the topic.

Also, stay up to date with Bffd Cordyceps Research on our YouTube Channel, Instagram, Facebook page, and website.