From The Last of Us to reality, the parasitic mushrooms could actually attack humans

Imagine a world where humans are at risk of being taken over by parasitic mushrooms, turning them into mindless creatures driven solely by the mushroom’s desires. While this may sound like a science fiction plot or a scene from a video game like The Last of Us, recent research has shown that such a scenario could actually become a reality.

Parasitic fungi, also known as entomopathogenic fungi, have long been known to infect insects and take over their bodies. These fungi have an uncanny ability to manipulate the behavior of their hosts, forcing them to climb to elevated positions where the fungi can thrive and spread their spores. This phenomenon is widely documented in the natural world, with cases of infected ants, caterpillars, and even spiders behaving in abnormal ways under the influence of these fungi.

What makes this topic even more intriguing is that recent studies suggest that these parasitic fungi might not be confined to infecting only insects. There is growing evidence that certain species of parasitic mushrooms could potentially infect mammals, including humans.

The most well-known example of a parasitic fungus that could potentially affect humans is the Cordyceps fungus. This fungus has been popularized through the video game The Last of Us, where it plays a central role in the game’s plot. In reality, Cordyceps primarily infects insects, such as ants and caterpillars, but scientists are beginning to unravel its potential impact on other organisms.

Cordyceps fungi have a unique method of infecting their hosts. When spores come into contact with a suitable host, they germinate and grow, entering the body of the host and eventually taking over its nervous system. The fungus manipulates the host’s behavior, compelling it to climb up to a high location where it eventually dies. This provides favorable conditions for the fungi to release their spores and continue their life cycle.

While there is no confirmed evidence of Cordyceps affecting humans in the same way, researchers have found that this fungus does have the ability to infect and alter the behavior of mammals. A study published in Nature Communications in 2020 revealed that a species of Cordyceps fungus in Thailand infects and alters the behavior of certain species of spiders. The spiders were forced to build larger webs at higher elevations, thus maximizing the fungus’s chances of spreading its spores.

This study raises questions about the potential impact of Cordyceps on other mammals, including humans. Given the complexity of the human brain, it is uncertain how such an infection would manifest, but the possibility cannot be dismissed entirely. Scientists speculate that if Cordyceps could gain access to the human nervous system, its effects could range from altered behavior to loss of control over one’s own actions.

With advances in technology and our increasing understanding of the natural world, it is not far-fetched to consider the idea that parasitic fungi could pose a threat to humans. While the likelihood of a Cordyceps-like infection taking hold in humans remains speculative, it serves as a reminder of the intricate and sometimes unsettling ways in which organisms interact with each other.

Understanding the mechanisms behind parasitic fungi and their ability to manipulate hosts is crucial for identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them. By studying such phenomena, we can not only gain valuable insights into the natural world but also prepare ourselves for the possibility of emerging threats that science fiction has long warned us about.

While the journey from The Last of Us to reality is still ongoing, it is essential to keep an open mind and embrace the wonders and possibilities of the natural world. Perhaps, in the not-too-distant future, we may find ourselves in a world where parasitic mushrooms pose a real danger to humanity. Only time and scientific inquiry will tell.