The Last of Us Wiki is a FANDOM Games Community. Cordyceps Fungus: Can It Really Turn Humans Into Zombies? The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game series that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a fungal infection that has wiped out much of humanity. The parasitic fungus begins to grow while the host is still alive and mutates multiple times causing various stages of infection the first of which is the loss of higher brain function which irradicates a persons sense of rational thought and renders them hyper-aggressive. The infection takes just 5-15 minutes to take over ones neck and head, 2-8 hours for the torso and arms, and 12-24 hours for the legs and feet. Epichloe was at one time a subgenus, but is now regarded as a separate genus, Epichlo. The science that spawned fungal fears in HBO's 'The Last of Us' - NPR Stage 1: The first step of evolution is when the players lose control over their own brains and start showing symptoms of aggression. In our universe, cordyceps spread through airborne spores rather than a bite. The origin of the show's Cordyceps pandemic was revealed in The Last of Us episode 2. We've got everything you need to know right here, taking a deep dive into the infection with the help of the games. However, , which could be the inspiration behind the connection of the infected in. How did The Last of Us outbreak start? Cordyceps explained there is still no known case of cordyceps infecting humans, strengthen the immune system and may even have some cancer-fighting properties, You step on a patch of cordyceps in one place, you can wake a dozen infected somewhere else, this is not observed in cordyceps-infected ants, trees in a forest can communicate with one another through underground fungal networks connected to their root systems, Top 14 Discoveries in Human Evolution, 2022 Edition. Ophiocordyceps unilateralis, commonly known as zombie-ant fungus, is an insect-pathogenic fungus, discovered by the British naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in 1859, and currently found predominantly in tropical forest ecosystems. It can also be seen as a hub for spores and can be hidden in plain sight, running across the walls of buildings, helping the infected in echo locating their next target. A Review", "Fruiting Body Formation of Cordyceps militaris from Multi-Ascospore Isolates and Their Single Ascospore Progeny Strains", "The Fungus that Reduced Humanity to The Last of Us", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cordyceps&oldid=1164114184, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2019, All articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases, Articles with specifically marked weasel-worded phrases from February 2023, Articles with unsourced statements from June 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 8 July 2023, at 00:28. Cordyceps-infected bugs are featured as enemies in the video games Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling and Grounded, with Cordyceps serving as a major plot point in the story of Bug Fables: The Everlasting Sapling. Cordyceps is just one mushroom thats tightened its grip on the throat of the wellness-enthused. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. More than 400 species of the fungus exist . The fact that we dont have a pathogen that has been able to come up with this strategy to hijack our minds does not mean that its not a possibility at some point. 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A Scientific Investigation of 'The Last of Us' Fungal Pandemic TV Features The Last Of Us' Cordyceps Zombie Virus & Stages Explained By Dalton Norman Published Jan 1, 2023 Putting a terrifying new spin on zombies, the cordyceps infection from The Last of Us features a few horrible stages that need a bit of explanation. In parts of the Tibetan Plateau, Ophiocordyceps sinensis takes over the larvae of ghost moths. While most zombie outbreak stories focus on the virus that spread like the flu, or COVID, The Last of Us pins the blame of the apocalypse on fungi cordyceps, to be more specific, and the realistic way these fungi are introduced makes them scarier than your average virus. It's also in this episode that we learn of the network that connects the infected, as the fungus also grows underground. #fungus" In The Last of Us, Cordyceps adds humans to the list of hosts.The apocalypse starts when the fungus makes a jump from their typical hosts to humans in presumably the same way . Thanks to HBOs hit TV showThe Last of Us, Cordyceps has been in the spotlight recently. Its edible and has been harvested and used medicinally forthousands of years as an aphrodisiac and a tonic to promote general well-being. While the audience laughs, he warns that we have no effective fungicides and that fungus is more likely to mutate as the Earth warms, allowing it to infect warm-blooded humans, leaving us as billions of puppets with poisoned minds.. In The Last of Us universe, cordyceps infection begins when an infected individual bites a victim. The show's mycologist is so horrified by the discovery that Cordyceps has evolved to infect humans that she recommends bombing the city; there's no vaccine or treatment available for the illness, which means there's nothing that can be done to help the infected. They are heavily mutated and covered in fungal growths, making them nearly invulnerable to conventional weapons. Cordyceps brain infection | The Last of Us Wiki | Fandom Cordyceps spores attach to the outside of an ant, moth, spider, or other arthropod, producing tendrils of mycelia that grow throughout the bugs body. In such a case, the time the victim has before transforming into an infected will depend on where they are injured: if it is on the neck, face, or head, they will transform in 5-15 minutes; if on the torso, arm, shoulder or hands, 2-8 hours; if on the legs or feet, 12-24 hours. In The Last of Us, human neurology is also altered to make the host more aggressive and more likely to bite and spread the fungi to new victims. | Soundtrack choice | FEDRA & the Fireflies explained. While The Last of Us is deservingly praised for its human drama, the cordyceps help the franchise to also stand above other horror productions focused on zombies. O. unilateralis is capable of wiping out whole colonies of ants. Cordyceps are also known as the zombie ant fungus due to their ability to infect ants and control their minds. This practically destroys human civilization, and, in the desolate aftermath, quarantine zones under armed guard keep survivors safe and trapped while a resistance group known as the Fireflies resists the control of FEDRA (Federal Disaster Response Agency). We are. The original game follows Joel and Ellie as they journey across a virus-ridden post-apocalyptic America, facing many dangers including the perilous infected humans taken over by a virus that results in them becoming blood-craving monsters but what initially caused the outbreak that created the infected? They are discussing pandemics and what would most likely cause the next pandemic. [5], This article is about the infection from the. The fungus continues to grow, eating everything inside, until the insect finally diesat which point the fruit of the fungus will burst out of the ants head, sending fresh spores out into the air in search of new ants to infect. Still, Winkler was pleased to see a mycologist appear in an episode of the HBO show. The clip that led to the idea for the Cordyceps brain infection is from Planet Earth (H/T Mashable), and tracks one unfortunate ant through its infection. Bon Apptit may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. They are often used as an early warning sign of an infected presence, as their loud and erratic movements can be heard from a distance. Nope. Once reunited with his family, he recounted what it was like to enter a zombie-like state. Cordyceps a parasitic fungus recently popularized by the post-pandemic video game-turned drama The Last of Us is rare in Washington. So, The Last of Us considers the possibility that global warming could lead to the emergence of cordyceps that can actually infect humans. Passionate about superhero comic books, horror films, and indie games, he works as a Senior Writer and Film Critic for Collider. Its often used in traditional Chinese medicine, and demand is so high that the fungus is now an endangered species (climate change and habitat degradation have also contributed to its endangered status). "The fungus attacks insects that live in the ground or soil," said Rebeca Rosengaus, an associate professor and behavioral ecologist at Northeastern University. In particular, he noted how to Cordyceps would replace its host skin with its own and then prevent decomposition so the host could remain alive and serve its need to spread its spores to other non-infected animals. The infection takes just 5-15 minutes to take over one's neck and head, 2-8 . Is 'The Last of Us' Cordyceps Fungus Real and Can It Infect Humans? - ELLE This was inspired by the tv series and video game,The Last of us. Theyre growing out of a butterfly larva, now dead, that had buried itself in the soil to pupate. Here is a detailed explanation of each form: Runners are the first form of infection and are the most common form of infection in the game. Traditionally, harvesting the food has been incredibly labor-intensive. Given the interest in zombies in American popular culture, Elizabeth Fusco connects zombies to a scientific context with this piece. New York, Shivaditya Ghoshal is an eSports writer at EssentiallySports. Cordyceps brain infection, the disease that has devastated the world in The Last of Us has roots in real-life fungi that can infect insects and control them. You can find out more about how PLOS processes your data by reading our. are now thought to be the teleomorphs of a number of anamorphic, entomopathogenic fungus "genera" such as: Beauveria (Cordyceps bassiana), Lecanicillium, Metarhizium and Nomuraea. Its typically found across Asia and flourishes in warm, moist climates like tropical jungles. The slaves on these plantations believed a sorcerer could cast a spell to turn a person into a zombie. Its part of a new WA experiment, What to know about seeing the northern lights from WA, Plan for monster road closures in and around Seattle, The good, the bad, the bizarre ideas from Seattles huge candidate field, according to the American Society for Microbiology. The Last of Us gives us a unique take on the zombie apocalypse. Clarivius Narcisse is a famous case of zombie-fication by tetrodotoxin poisoning. Cordyceps is a parasitic fungus that primarily affects insects and is unlikely to evolve to cause infection in humans. Some include compounds, like psilocybin, that research has shown can have therapeutic effects. Ringworm, for example, is a common skin infection (which can be athletes foot) caused by a fungus that can live on household surfaces. Rosengaus told BuzzFeed she wouldn't rule out the fungus evolving. Luckily, though, it doesn't turn anyone into a mindless zombie, instead preying on insects. While The Last of Us video game was developed before the pandemic, the television show was written during it, and the writers did an amazing job using elements of the COVID-19 pandemic to make The Last of Us universe feel realistic and applicable. Until the show airs, however, theres no official confirmation as to whether the timeline will be changed. We all use phones on the toilet. The fungus has also been shown to be capable of restoring physical functions to deficient hosts: when someone with impaired movement is infected, they can regain movement, even including the ability to run. Just dont sit more than 10 minutes. The Last of Us . The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. Upon infection, the Cordyceps grows while the host is still alive, with victims exhibiting symptoms including coughing, slurred speech, muscle spasms, and mood changes during the progression of the infection until it completely takes over higher brain function. What is the infection in The Last of Us TV show? The Cordyceps fungus The Science of Zombies: "The Last of Us" and Beyond But heres what you should know about The Last of Us and its depiction of the zombie fungus. A dispute over it may have even led to murders in Nepal. This should probably come as no surprise, though: Unlike in the games and show, cordyceps, as we currently know it, will not turn you into a zombie. Derrick on Twitter Its even sometimes used in kidney transplantsthough as with many Cordyceps medical claims, better evidence is needed before scientists can say if it actually has a benefit. It's airborne and if breathed in by an insect, it will go to their brain and slowly take control of them and make them go to a high place and then stay their til the fungus grows out of the body and can spread more. [8], Cordyceps and Metacordyceps spp. Shamblers are considered to be an alternate form of the Bloaters, who got weak and slow after being exposed to large volumes of water around them. In the original game, there are four distinct stages of infection from the still human-like Runners and stealthy Stalkers to the iconic Clickers and imposing Bloaters, each mutation has unique qualities depending on how much the fungus has spread around the body. Bloaters are often used as boss enemies in the game and are a significant challenge for players to overcome. Due to Jakarta being one of the leading world exports in flour and grain, it then spread to the United States and the rest of the world, causing a complete breakdown of global civilization. They have, however, enhanced strength that is granted by the fungus, making them extremely dangerous, as they will kill anyone who comes too close. The Last of Us Episodes 1 & 2 are available to stream now. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, this might be because of the appearance of the fruiting bodies of these fungi, which have rounded ends and may be thought to resemble clubs. There are more than 400 species in the Cordyceps genus, and they can be found in forests all over the world. In this post, graduate student Mandy Dees illustrates the work of Dr. Gabriel Filipelli and how research. The fungus has been in use for thousands of years across East Asian cultures, where it has beenconsidered a tonic food and herbal medicine with purported energy-increasing, immunity-boosting, and anti-inflammatory effects. [10], Cordyceps has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine to treat many diseases related to lungs and kidneys. Winter Worm, Summer Grass HBO's hit show The Last of Us introduces a post-apocalyptic world infested by human zombies turned by a fungal infection. Real Live Zombies. He says a viral pandemic doesnt keep him up at night, because we always win.. Over the last 20 years, we noticed things seemed to be changing but in the last couple, its been really evident, said Maxwell, a former president of the 1,800-member Puget Sound Mycological Society whos been gathering fungi since 1976. These are really tricky fungi, and so making up the idea that cordyceps could infect humans well, it doesnt take a super gifted, visionary writer to have the idea. Ultimately, Cordyceps does completely kill the host, as seen when Joel and Tess come across a gruesome dead body in the premiere. This is exactly the same as the game. Stalkers are the second form of infection and are characterized by their stealthy behavior. Could The Last Of Us actually happen? Science behind Cordyceps fungus Its usually sold in powdered form, although it also appears as a mostly tasteless supplement in everything fromcoffee tochocolate. 0000-0002-7299-680X). [9], Polysaccharide components and cordycepin are under basic research and have been isolated from C. Cordyceps a parasitic fungus recently popularized by the post-pandemic video game-turned drama "The Last of Us" is rare in Washington. Cordyceps is a type of parasitic fungus, within which there are hundreds of species. The zombie apocalypse depicted in the popular video game series and newly adapted HBO series "The Last of Us" derives from a mutation to a type of fungus called cordyceps. That is the question. With many projects around the world proceeding despite the COVID pandemic, To unthaw or to unthaw? What many dont know, he said, is that communities in some parts of the world, mostly in Asia, also use cordyceps as a high-end health and wellness treatment. All the stories you heard about zombie ants eaten from the inside out by fungi are true, and the cordyceps are to blame. (e.g. Follow Us The Last of Us is a critically acclaimed video game series that takes place in a post-apocalyptic world overrun by a fungal infection that has wiped out much of humanity. Surprise a third time! Cordyceps /krdsps/ is a genus of ascomycete fungi (sac fungi) that includes about 600 worldwide species. The consensus among scientists seems to be that what Cordyceps does to humans in The Last of Us is something that would take millions of years to evolve, as the relationship between the fungus and insects has. But those in the Pacific Northwest have concerns about how these and other species in the region might soon fare as the climate changes. Frost Giant wants to build a real-time strategy game for everyone. NY 10036. A cordyceps usually attaches itself to another creature and slowly replaces its tissues, altering the neurological behavior of its victim. Diverse variants of cordyceps have had more than 1,500 years of use in Chinese medicine. last updated 14 February 2023 We break down the Cordyceps brain infection Comments (Image credit: HBO) The Last of Us revolves around a genuinely terrifying pandemic caused by Cordyceps,. Could Cordyceps fungi infect humans? - Medical News Today Cordyceps is a core plot element in the video game series The Last of Us, first released in 2013, and its 2023 television adaptation. Bloaters are capable of releasing clouds of toxic fragments that glow in the dark that can kill anyone who comes into contact with them. Tips to help you win. However, this is not observed in cordyceps-infected ants. For example, one of the opening scenes of The Last of Us focuses on two scientists on a talk show in the 1960s. In this movie, radiation from a space explosion emanated toward Earth, reanimating the dead and giving them an appetite for human brains. Ad Choices. The ant is compelled to descend to a vantage point about 10 inches off the ground, sink its jaws into a leaf vein on the north side of a plant, and wait for death.. Cordyceps brain infection | The Last of Us Wiki | Fandom It's clear that Cordyceps is exactly what the epidemiologist from the opening feared: a parasitical fungal infection in the brain that turns humans into zombified hosts, whose only goal is to spread their infection to as many other people as they can.
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