This research examined why medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris loses its beneficial properties when repeatedly grown in laboratory conditions. Scientists analyzed gene activity changes across multiple generations of cultivation to understand why the mushroom degrades over time. The findings help explain the molecular mechanisms behind this degradation and could lead to better cultivation methods. Impacts on everyday life: – Could lead to more reliable production of medicinal mushrooms for healthcare products – May help reduce costs of mushroom-based supplements through improved cultivation – Provides insights that could benefit cultivation of other medicinal fungi – Could help maintain consistent quality of mushroom-based traditional medicines – May enable more sustainable commercial production of beneficial fungal compounds