Experts reveal three things that will make The Last Of Us zombie fungus a reality

Can a real mushroom really turn people into zombies, like in the HBO sci-fi blockbuster The Last of Us? Stacey Liberatore shares 3 things that have to happen to make your worst nightmares come true

HBO’s The Last of Us reveals a world in which a zombie fungus evolved to infect humans, but these terrifying organisms do exist in nature.

The series, culminating in next weekend’s finale, follows Joel (Pedro Pascal) and teenager Ellie (Bella Ramsey) as they struggle to survive as they travel across a fungus-infested US.

A fungus called cordyceps acts similarly in the real world, but only affects ants. The spores penetrate the ant’s muscles and spread throughout its body, eventually trapping its brain. Once the cordyceps is in full control, it will bring the infected insect out of the nest to spread the infected fungal spores to its fellow ants.

While The Last of Us is science fiction, fungus experts told DailyMail.com that Cordyceps is only three steps away from turning humans into zombies.

These steps include changes in our body temperature, structure and immune system.

Experts said that although these obstacles are significant, they can be overcome.

In a new video, DailyMail.com shares the three steps it takes for a fungus to turn us into zombies.