Cordyceps: The Zombie Fungus
Cordyceps: The Zombie Fungus
By S.B.
The world’s most sinister form of mind control isn’t found in fictional apocalypses or the latest season of Stranger Things, but in the jungle, as zombie fungus gnaws away at the insides of insects, driven by self-propagation and the goal of dispersal.
If anyone has kept up to date with HBO’s hit The Last of Us—a video game adaptation following two people working their way through a post-apocalyptic world of fungus-ridden zombies—which aired in 2023, then one might have wondered whether the “zombie fungus” was real and if it could affect humans. Though the show and game are fear-driven and a work of science fiction, the dangerous brain-altering Cordyceps infection is entirely real.
Cordyceps is a genus of ascomycete fungi, a type of fungi whose spores develop within asci, or a sac. The genus comprises over 600 worldwide species, each targeting a certain bug, not including the hundreds of species branching from Ophiocordyceps, a genus once considered to be that of the Cordyceps, though was deemed distinct enough to receive its own genus in 2007. Under the so-called branch of Ophiocordyceps lies Ophiocordyceps Unilateralis, the “zombie fungus”. This specialized parasite infects, operates, and kills arthropods, such as ants or spiders, most commonly in tropical ecosystems.
When an ant steps on a fungal spore, the fungus sticks to the body of the ant and enters it, feeding on the corpse from within. The fungus then multiplies in its body as its host continues on as it was for a week or so. This week is known as an incubation period, where the infected ant acts normally and does as it would amongst its colony, entirely undetected. In time, the fungus consumes the majority of the ant’s insides, attaching itself to the host’s nervous system and muscles, where it will then manipulate the ant’s body to scale a leaf and begin its slow descent to decay. With the control of the muscles under its belt, the fungus forces the ant to grip the underside of the leaf—not unlike a puppet master controlling his marionette—as it breaks through the ant's head and produces tendrils of mycelia, releasing spores that liter the forest floor below, repeating the process anew.
Though the fungus is real and detrimental to insects, the fear that is zombie fungus is slim to none for humans. Contrary to its fictional upbringing, cordyceps are a popular health supplement, as variants of the fungus have been used for over a thousand years in the Chinese medical field. The spores themselves pose no danger to humans and the odds that any given person would actively come into contact with these spores unintentionally is negligible.
Although The Last of Us portrays a frightening alternative reality, with the threat of a worldwide fungal infection and an apocalyptic collapse, the show is implausible given the current capabilities of Cordyceps fungi. It would take millions of years of evolution to reach that point, and even if it did come true, the current generation would be too far gone to ever witness it.
Regardless of the scientific data, many still have trepidation when it comes to cordyceps or any other general fungal infection. One of the most vital reasons for this fear is the lack of control the parasitic fungus allows. Mankind’s fear of not having control is deeply rooted in human psychology and has evolutionary origins. Throughout history, having control over one’s environment and circumstances has been essential for survival. In modern society, where individuals are exposed to a multitude of stressors and uncertainties, the fear of not having control can be exacerbated, reflecting humanity’s instinctual need for security, autonomy, and stability. Thus, the concept of the fungus controlling the behavior of its host can evoke feelings of horror, tapping into primal fears. The idea of a parasite manipulating a living creature to its advantage goes against man’s understanding of natural order. Although the general statistics do not hint at a future like The Last of Us, the show and game’s depiction of the infection as highly virulent and capable of catastrophic effects overrides the science in the mind of the viewer.
Fear runs rampant in society and can’t effectively be ebbed, but there are still approaches that can be taken to lessen the apprehension that comes with being human. To overcome the fears of not having control and facing uncertainty, it is important for people to try and accept the truth, but also to understand that they’re not weak for being susceptible to fear. By cultivating resilience at individual and community levels through mindful practices, one can work and train their brain to confront and transcend their fears of lack of control and the unknown, fostering a future grounded in well-being, resilience, and empowerment.
