Man Eats Cordyceps Mushroom Grown on His Own Blood and Skin for a Spooky Snack
By Matthew Phelan, Senior Science Reporter for DailyMail.com
11:33 29 Oct 2023, updated 11:45 29 Oct 2023
Cordyceps, a peculiar fungus known for its health benefits and its role in the zombie apocalypse on HBO’s hit video game-adaptation The Last of Us, has been a staple of Chinese medicine for centuries. Now, one adventurous TikTok user, @Southernspore, has taken it upon himself to investigate its taste as a light snack—with a zombie twist.
Using his own blood and skin as a substrate, @Southernspore grew the cordyceps fungus, showcasing its branching, filament-like structures known as “hyphae” under a microscope. With a hint of disgust, he described the yellowish tinge of the fungi before taking a few chews. Surprisingly, he found the taste to be strangely sweet and enjoyable, declaring that he would eat it again.
Hood, with the username @Southernspore, shared his curiosity about how this taste compares to normally grown cordyceps with his TikTok followers. He explained that he used his own blood and calloused skin from his hands to feed his “zombie mushrooms.” After the cordyceps grew into a hardened mass resembling a coconut macaroon, Hood sliced it open to search for traces of his own skin.
To provide a comparison, Hood also displayed a typical mass of cordyceps grown on a less Halloween-appropriate substrate, illustrating the stark contrast between the two growth methods.
Future Experiments with Cordyceps: Animal Blood, Bone, and Meat
@Southernspore, whose real name is believed to be Jacob Riley Hood, expressed his interest in future experiments using animal blood, bone, or meat instead of using his own blood. Hood stated that the taste and results would undoubtedly differ and be an intriguing exploration.
Past research conducted by medical researchers in Korea and Egypt has shown the potential of cordyceps fungus to produce the compound cordycepin for use in cancer treatment. Despite its health benefits, cordyceps remains associated with its eerie evolutionary history and its ability to turn insects, like ants, into zombies.
João Araújo, assistant curator in mycology at The New York Botanical Garden, explained that around 45 million years ago, the cordyceps fungus initially infected beetles and later jumped to ants. He added that approximately 35 ophiocordyceps fungi exist worldwide, capable of transforming insects into zombies. Although the concept of a real-world cordyceps pandemic causing a zombie apocalypse is unlikely, experts caution that anything is possible.
Ultimately, cordyceps mushrooms offer various health benefits, including their ability to combat certain types of cancer cells, aid in recovery from cancer treatments, reduce fatigue, boost strength, and potentially regulate blood sugar levels. While the taste may be a matter of personal preference, @Southernspore’s daring snack experiment demonstrates the fascinating versatility and intrigue of this ancient Chinese medicinal fungus.
Read more: “Mushrooms you can safely eat and poisonous ones you must avoid”
