Here’s the shocking truth about the fungus in The Last of Us and whether it’s real

Season two of The Last Of Us is here – and yep, the fungus is still freaking us out. The HBO hit shows a world destroyed by a brain-controlling fungus called Cordyceps. But could this terrifying TV tale ever happen in real life? Well, there are expert answers to that.

So, could fungi actually harm humans?

Short answer: Yes. But not in the mushroom-headed-monsters kind of way. Talking to Sky News, Professor Elaine Bignell, who knows her moulds inside out, says loads of fungi already infect humans, and some are seriously dangerous.

A few can mess with your lungs, brain, and blood, and yes, they can kill. Hundreds of thousands of deaths every year are linked to fungal infections.

What about that zombie fungus, Cordyceps?

via HBO

Cordyceps is real but it’s not coming for your brain. There are around 600 known species of Cordyceps. They’re famous for infecting insects like ants, spiders, and caterpillars, and basically turning them into mindless spore-spreading zombies. But humans? Not on the menu.

Fun fact: Some cordyceps species are actually used in herbal medicine. So, while they’re terrifying for bugs, they’re not a threat to us (yet).

Could climate change change everything?

via HBO

This is where things get interesting, and a bit worrying. As the planet heats up, some fungi could adapt to survive warmer conditions. That means more could potentially learn to live inside the human body. We’ve already got 150,000 known fungal species but scientists think millions more are still undiscovered. Climate change = more pressure on fungi to adapt = more chances for scary stuff to evolve.

Any chance of a real-life Last Of Us scenario?

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@unilad

He’s wants to be in the Last of Us in real-life 😳 #cordyceps #mushrooms @southernspore

♬ original sound – UNILAD – UNILAD

Not exactly. Scientists agree that the The Last of Us TV show’s version of Cordyceps jumping to humans and spreading like wildfire is pure fiction, for now. The idea of a fungus wiping out billions overnight is miles from reality. But smaller-scale fungal threats? Totally real. Especially for people with weak immune systems.

Should we be worried then?

Not zombie-worried. But definitely science-worried. There’s no fungal vaccine. Anti-fungal meds are limited. And most of us don’t even think about fungus as a health risk but maybe we should. COVID showed us that new threats can pop up fast. So experts say we need to be ready with better meds, more research, and public awareness. And if you do see someone covered in mushrooms munching on their mates… maybe give them a wide berth.

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Featured image via HBO