Cordyceps, a genus of parasitic fungi, has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to promote vitality and combat fatigue. More recently, scientific research has begun to explore its effects on the adrenal glands and the body's stress response. The adrenal glands play a crucial role in producing hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline, which are involved in the body's response to stress.

Several in vivo and animal studies indicate that cordyceps may help modulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, which in turn supports adrenal function. For example, studies have shown that cordyceps extracts can help balance cortisol levels in response to physical or environmental stress, suggesting a potential adaptogenic effect. Additionally, small human studies and clinical trials have reported improvements in fatigue and exercise performance, effects that may be mediated by improved adrenal and mitochondrial function.

However, while the preliminary evidence is promising, high-quality, large-scale human trials directly assessing cordyceps' impact on adrenal health are limited. Thus, the scientific validation is moderate but not definitive. Cordyceps is commonly included in adaptogenic supplements aimed at supporting the adrenal glands, but more research is needed to confirm its efficacy for this specific purpose.