The real story of Cordyceps: Can the fungus that inspired The Last of Us infect humans in real life?

From BBC documentaries to video games: the science and real-life horror behind the fictional apocalypse that captivated The Last of Us fans

A real horror disguised as fiction

When The Last of Us was released by Naughty Dog in 2013, the gaming world was surprised not only by the quality of its narrative, but also by the unusual proposal of its apocalypse: instead of classic zombies, the enemies were humans dominated by a real parasitic fungus called Cordyceps . What many didn’t know, however, is that this terrifying plot was inspired by a scientifically true case that happens every day — far from the spotlight, but under the watchful eye of evolutionary biology. The question that remains is: what if Cordyceps evolved?

In this special feature for Revolution Arena , we’ll delve into the real origins of Cordyceps, meet its current victims, understand what science has already discovered — and face the most sinister question of all: could this fungus really cause a human apocalypse?

What is Cordyceps?

Cordyceps is a genus of parasitic fungi with over 600 catalogued species . It is mainly known for infecting insects and arthropods. One of the most famous species is Ophiocordyceps unilateralis , which parasitizes tropical ants in South America and Asia.

The fungus’ life cycle is as cruel as it is fascinating: Cordyceps spores lodge in the ant’s body, invade its nervous system, and take control of its behavior , forcing it to climb onto leaves or twigs—an ideal breeding ground for the fungus. Up high, the ant is killed, its body is fixed to the substrate, and the fungus literally bursts from the host’s head , releasing new spores to start the cycle all over again.

This action is so precise and effective that many scientists compare it to a type of “biological zombification.” It’s life imitating science fiction —or vice versa.

From BBC documentary to video game horror

The idea of ​​transforming this biological phenomenon into an apocalyptic horror was directly inspired by a BBC documentary, “Planet Earth” , which showed real images of ants infected by Cordyceps. Neil Druckmann, creator of The Last of Us , revealed in interviews that the scene deeply impressed him, to the point of wondering: “What if this happened to humans?”

Thus was born the basis of one of the most acclaimed universes in video games, where the fungus underwent a mutation adapted to the global increase in temperatures, allowing it to infect mammals — including humans. From there, the world of The Last of Us collapses into chaos, giving way to Runners, Stalkers, Clickers and Pufferfish — each stage representing more advanced degrees of infection and deformation of the human body.

But… could this really happen to humans?

The short answer is: not with the current form of Cordyceps. The version that infects insects is highly specific , evolved to affect only certain types of hosts. The human immune system and the complexity of the human brain make it extremely unlikely that Cordyceps could spontaneously adapt to infect us.

However, scientists and epidemiologists have not completely ruled out the possibility that some species of fungus could undergo drastic mutations in the future , whether due to climate change, prolonged exposure to urban environments, or other unknown factors. This theory has gained traction following the rise in human fungal infections in recent years, such as Candida auris , which has already caused drug-resistant hospital outbreaks.

Another point to note is that fungi are highly adaptable organisms . Unlike viruses, they do not need living hosts to survive. Furthermore, global warming may cause certain species to begin to tolerate higher temperatures — such as those of the human body.

In other words: the idea of ​​an apocalyptic mutation still belongs in the realm of fiction, but it’s not entirely off the scientific radar.

Cordyceps in medicine: from villain to ally?

Interestingly, Cordyceps also has a “beneficial” side—at least in other ways. In traditional Chinese medicine, a species called Cordyceps sinensis has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to boost energy, improve immunity, and combat respiratory diseases.

Currently, scientific studies are investigating its potential use in the treatment of cancer, kidney disease and diabetes , due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. In other words, while the world fears a Cordyceps-inspired apocalypse, science is still exploring it as a possible cure for other real illnesses.

Between fiction and warning

The Last of Us ‘s horror is effective because it plays on plausible fears . By turning a natural phenomenon into a catalyst for the end of the world, the game reminds us that sometimes the greatest horrors come from where we least expect them: from nature itself.

The real Cordyceps won’t zombify you tomorrow , but its existence is a powerful reminder that we are far from understanding all the mechanisms that govern microbial life on the planet. In times of pandemic and climate change, fiction becomes a disturbing mirror of our vulnerability.

And perhaps that’s the great genius of The Last of Us : making the question “What if this happened?” never seem so absurd again.