The Last of Us, one of the most HBO hit shows just got it’s Season 1 finale. The show is based on a popular video game franchise, features a parasitic fungus that turns its host into a zombie-like creature. The fungus, known as Cordyceps, has become a popular topic of discussion among gamers and science enthusiasts alike. While the depiction of Cordyceps in The Last of Us may seem far-fetched, the fungus is actually real and has some fascinating properties.
Cordyceps is a type of parasitic fungus that infects insects and arthropods, such as ants and caterpillars. The fungus invades the host’s body and eventually takes over, manipulating the host’s behavior to its advantage. In some cases, the fungus will cause the host to climb to a high location, where it will spread its spores and infect other nearby hosts.
This behavior is what inspired the depiction of Cordyceps in The Last of Us, where the fungus infects humans and turns them into aggressive creatures.
Cordyceps is a type of parasitic fungus that infects insects and arthropods, such as ants and caterpillars. The fungus invades the host’s body and eventually takes over, manipulating the host’s behavior to its advantage. In some cases, the fungus will cause the host to climb to a high location, where it will spread its spores and infect other nearby hosts. This behavior is what inspired the depiction of Cordyceps in The Last of Us, where the fungus infects humans and turns them into aggressive creatures.
While Cordyceps has some fascinating properties, it is not capable of infecting humans in the same way that it infects insects. However, there are some documented cases of humans being infected with Cordyceps, but these cases are extremely rare and typically only occur in people with weakened immune systems.
Despite the fact that Cordyceps cannot infect humans in the same way that it infects insects, the fungus has become popular in traditional medicine and is believed to have numerous health benefits. Cordyceps is commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for a variety of conditions, including fatigue, asthma, and kidney disease.
In addition to its medicinal properties, Cordyceps has also been the subject of scientific research. Scientists have discovered that the fungus contains a variety of bioactive compounds that have the potential to be used in the development of new drugs. Cordyceps has been shown to have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-cancer properties, among others.
The depiction of Cordyceps in The Last of Us has sparked interest in the fungus and has brought attention to its unique properties. While the idea of a parasitic fungus infecting humans and turning them into zombies may seem like science fiction, the reality of Cordyceps is equally fascinating. As scientists continue to study the fungus, it is possible that Cordyceps may one day be used to develop new treatments for a variety of medical conditions.