Exploring Plasma Exchange Therapy as a Potential Anti-Aging Approach

Just as vehicles require regular oil changes to function optimally, some advocates and researchers propose that exchanging the plasma in human blood might similarly help reduce the effects of biological aging. This procedure is currently available at numerous longevity clinics, often costing several thousand dollars per session.

Dr. Eric Verdin, president and CEO of the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, compares plasma exchange to changing a car’s oil every few thousand miles to clear out harmful debris. He explains that, over time, human blood can accumulate damaging substances that plasma exchange could potentially eliminate.

A preliminary clinical trial published recently in the journal Aging Cell provides early indications that plasma exchange may slow age-related biological decline, even among generally healthy individuals. The study involved 42 participants averaging 65 years old. Those undergoing plasma exchange over several months exhibited reduced levels of age-associated compounds in their blood compared to a control group. The research was supported by Circulate Health, a plasma exchange startup, with Dr. Verdin serving as a co-founder and head of its scientific advisory board.

Nevertheless, many experts remain cautious. Dr. Katayoun Fomani, associate professor and medical director of the blood bank at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, notes that the anti-aging claims lack validation from large-scale clinical trials. She warns that the process of removing blood and replacing plasma with fluids could expose patients to unnecessary medical risks without proven benefits.

Plasma exchange is an established medical treatment for various blood disorders, autoimmune diseases, and neurological conditions, typically covered by insurance when medically indicated. However, its use for anti-aging purposes is not currently reimbursed.

The therapy involves connecting a patient to a machine—usually operated by a registered nurse or technician—that extracts blood, separates and discards the plasma, and replaces it with donor plasma or a substitute fluid before returning the blood to the patient. The replacement fluid commonly contains saline and proteins such as albumin; sometimes, antibodies or medications are added to support immune function or address specific diseases. Each treatment session generally lasts a few hours.