In the ever-evolving biohacking and longevity research landscape, Bryan Johnson, the tech entrepreneur and biohacker known for his radical anti-aging quest, has switched from the controversial practice of injecting his son’s blood to a total plasma exchange.
Johnson didn’t make the switch because injecting yourself with your kid’s blood is creepy. He did it because he believed a plasma exchange would keep him alive even longer than infusing himself with his offspring’s vital fluids, he tweeted Tuesday.
Total Plasma Exchange (TPE), or Therapeutic Plasma Exchange, is a medical procedure that removes a patient’s blood, separates the plasma, replaces it with a substitute, and returns the blood to the body.
Advocates say TPE can treat a host of ailments, including myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, neuropathy, Wilson’s disease, chronic fatigue syndrome, multiple sclerosis, long-haul COVID, and age-related issues like Alzheimer’s and anti-aging.
“By implementing this protocol along with thorough measurement, my team and I aim to figure out what works best when it comes to the use of TPE as a rejuvenation and longevity therapy,” Johnson said, adding that the therapy has shown “measurable effects in delaying and reversing age-related disease including dementia, as well as the capacity to reduce biological age.”
According to Johnson, his TPE treatment involves removing all his blood, separating the plasma, and replacing it with a solution containing 5% albumin and intravenous immunoglobulin.
IVIG is a concentrated mixture of antibodies derived from donated human plasma. It is commonly used to boost the immune system or treat immune-related disorders.
Johnson said the treatment would follow a bi-weekly protocol, including two TPE sessions followed by IVIG infusions four days apart.
His previous experiments with plasma were documented in the 2024 Netflix documentary “Don’t Die,” where he exchanged plasma with his father and son.
Other experiments included penis rejuvenation therapy, as well botox injections into his penis.
Johnson did not respond to a request for comments by Decrypt.
Medical experts agreed that the treatment has some therapeutic value.
"It's like an oil change for your blood. It removes, cleans, and separates the plasma before returning it with albumin,” Shannon Starweather, Director of Operations at Seattle-based TPE provider Neuroveda Health, told Decrypt.
Depending on the provider, treatments can cost between $5,000 and $10,000 per session and are usually not covered by insurance.
“For longevity, treatments are shorter than for disease. Most start with three sessions, then increase to six before maintenance,” Starkweather said. “Typically, it's two sessions a week, then once a month if tolerated."
Starkweather noted that while the treatment has many benefits, it's not suitable for patients with active cancer or people under 15.
While Johnson presented test results to emphasize the treatment's effectiveness, Starweather said efficacy is determined on a case-by-case basis.
“We determine effectiveness per patient based on how they feel. It works in the cleaning process, with no downtime, and is very safe,” she said. “It's been used in hospitals for about 50 years; it’s only recently gaining recognition for broader applications but remains costly and hard to access.”
While TPE is generally well-tolerated, experts warn that it is not without risk.
“It can occasionally lead to side effects like mild electrolyte imbalances, temporary low blood pressure, or reactions to anticoagulants,” Dr. Paul Savage, Chief Medical Officer at Chicago-based TPE provider MDLifespan, told Decrypt. “The frequency of TPE must be carefully considered, as excessive treatments without appropriate medical oversight may strain the body’s ability to maintain homeostasis.”
Despite these risks, Savage emphasized the benefits of therapeutic plasma exchange treatments.
“One of the most compelling aspects of TPE is its impact on immune and metabolic function,” he said. “By lowering the body’s toxic burden and reducing systemic inflammation, TPE has been associated with increased energy, improved cognitive clarity, and enhanced immune resilience.”
Edited by Sebastian Sinclair and Josh Quittner
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