Fungus That Inspired The Last of Us

What if a fungus could turn you into a zombie? Meet Cordyceps — the real-life "zombie fungus" that inspired the terrifying concept behind The Last of Us. In this short, Jason dives into the mind-blowing world of parasitic fungi like Cordyceps and its close relative Ophiocordyceps — microorganisms that can hijack the bodies of insects and control their every move.

It all starts with a single spore. Once it invades the body of an unsuspecting ant or wasp, the fungus burrows in, takes over its host’s brain, and steers it toward the perfect location for the fungus to grow and spread. Eventually, a fungal stalk bursts from the insect’s body, releasing spores and continuing the deadly cycle.

There are over 750 known species of Cordyceps, and while they can’t infect humans (thankfully!), their bizarre life cycle raises fascinating questions about nature’s most extreme adaptations.

🎮 If you’ve played or watched The Last of Us, this is the science behind the fiction.