EXHIBIT 5.1

Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP

4101 Lake Boone Trail, Suite 300

Raleigh, North Carolina 27607

August 30, 2024

Board of Directors

Tenax Therapeutics, Inc.

101 Glen Lennox Drive, Suite 300

Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27517

Re: Registration Statement on Form S-8

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-8 filed on or about the date hereof by Tenax Therapeutics, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Registration Statement”), in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of an aggregate of 400,000 shares of common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Shares”). We understand that the Shares are to be issued pursuant to the Tenax Therapeutics, Inc. 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2022 Plan”). In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals and the conformity with the original of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof.

As the Registrant’s legal counsel, we have examined the proceedings taken, and are familiar with the proceedings proposed to be taken, in connection with the sale of the Shares pursuant to the 2022 Plan.

It is our opinion that, upon completion of the proceedings being taken or contemplated by us, as the Registrant’s counsel, to be taken prior to the issuance of the Shares, the Shares when issued in the manner referred to in the Registration Statement and in accordance with the 2022 Plan, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and further consent to the use of our name wherever appearing in the Registration Statement, including the prospectus constituting a part thereof, and any amendments thereto.

Sincerely,

/s/ Wyrick Robbins Yates & Ponton LLP