Can a real fungus cause a zombie apocalypse?

If you’re a fan of video games or TV shows, you might have heard of 'The Last of Us.' This gripping story imagines a world where a dangerous fungus called Cordyceps takes over people’s brains, turning them into zombie-like creatures. Sounds scary, right? But how much of this is based on real science, and could it ever actually happen? Let’s dig into the fascinating facts behind the fiction, with help from recent research and expert interviews, including insights from a real-life fungus expert featured in a Nature article.

Are zombie fungi real?

The idea for 'The Last of Us' didn’t come from thin air. The game’s creators were inspired by a real fungus called Ophiocordyceps unilateralis—sometimes called the zombie-ant fungus. This fungus infects ants and even changes their behavior, making them climb up plants and attach themselves before the fungus grows out of their bodies. Scientists like Dr. David Hughes, who specializes in these fungi, helped the game’s writers understand how these organisms actually work (Nature).

Can fungi infect humans like in "The Last of Us"?

Here’s where things get interesting. While it’s true that fungi can infect humans (think of athlete’s foot or ringworm), the idea of a fungus taking over our brains and controlling our actions is pure fiction—at least for now. The real-life zombie-ant fungus is very good at infecting insects, but it’s not built to survive in our warm bodies. Humans have stronger immune systems and higher body temperatures, which makes it much harder for these fungi to thrive.

Still, scientists agree that infections jumping from one species to another—called zoonotic infections—are the main way new diseases appear in people. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic started this way. This is why scientists, including those consulted by the game creators, say it’s important to learn about how diseases cross from animals to humans and to be ready for future outbreaks. If you’re interested in why some foods attract us or why we might crave sweets or avoid certain tastes, check out SlothMD’s article, Why We Crave Sugar Even When Full, which explores how our brains respond to food memories and cravings.

How do fungi connect in nature?

In the TV show, the fungus spreads underground, connecting people through root-like networks. This idea isn’t totally made up. In forests, there are fungi called mycorrhizal fungi that stretch for miles underground, connecting trees and helping them share nutrients. While these fungi don’t turn trees into zombies, they do show how incredibly connected and clever fungi can be. The game’s writers were fascinated by this and even ordered real slime molds to study them up close.

Could a fungal pandemic ever happen?

Fungal infections do affect people, especially those with weaker immune systems. But there’s no evidence that a fungus could ever control human behavior like in the show. The scariest fungi for humans right now are ones like Candida auris, which can be dangerous for people in hospitals but doesn’t cause zombie-like symptoms. According to the recent Nature interview, while the idea of a mind-controlling fungus jumping to humans is fun for fiction, it’s not something we need to fear in real life.

What it means for patients

So, should we worry about a real-life zombie fungus? Scientists say no. But it is wise to pay attention to how diseases can jump from animals to humans, as this is how most new infections get started. Being aware of how the natural world works helps researchers, health professionals, and even health AI tools like SlothMD keep us safer. If you’re curious about why some foods might gross us out or why we have food aversions, you might enjoy SlothMD’s article, Why Do We Hate Certain Foods? for more science-backed explanations.

In the end, while a real-life Cordyceps apocalypse is very unlikely, learning about fungi helps us understand the world around us. And with health AI platforms like SlothMD and ongoing research, we can keep getting smarter about how to protect ourselves from real health threats—no zombies required.