Donating Plasma – Are You Selling Yourself Short?


plasma donation

Written by Caitlin Schille

The plasma donation business has ballooned into an enormous industry, and the demand allows plasma donors to be paid for their donation. People looking to make a quick buck can spend an hour or two donating their plasma for payouts of $40 or more per visit. Some question whether this is an acceptable medical practice or one that should be regulated more tightly.

What is plasma, and why are companies willing to pay you for it?

Plasma is the fluid component of blood, and it is very important. Plasma is critical to forming blood clots to prevent excessive bleeding, and it is vital in fighting diseases. When donating plasma, a sample of blood will be taken, and then the plasma is separated from the other blood cells. The other blood cells are then returned to your body. The donated plasma is used for patients who suffer from bleeding disorders, immune deficiency disorders, and other injuries and conditions.

Plasma from US donors makes up about 70 percent of worldwide collections.
Source: theatlantic.com

There is no doubt that plasma is critical for human life and that plasma donation is important. So what is the cost to the donor?

Some scathing anecdotal evidence lambasts plasma donation, portraying the experience as practically being akin to receiving services at an underground abortion clinic. Tales of untrained and uncertified staff, accusations of lying about medical history, lack of risk information, and other horror stories can easily scare readers away from plasma donation.



However, relying on anecdotal evidence instead of aggregated data is like listening to Jenny McCarthy’s rants on vaccines and autism instead of actual science and data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

It is safe to occasionally donate plasma. Dr. Tamera Straub, a pediatrician with decades of experience, asserts that it is safe to make a plasma donation, “as long as the place is reputable and licensed by the state.” A potential donor must pass a health screening and survey of his or her medical history. Vital signs are monitored throughout the visit to ensure the safety of the donor. Equipment is sterilized and safe to use. Measures are taken to ensure donor safety, such as allowing donors to give plasma no more than once or twice per week. The risks of a donation visit are relatively mild—bruising, nausea, and dizziness are some of the occasional side effects.

Potential Problems With Paying Plasma Donors

  • Impoverished individuals may lie to pass screening tests.
  • Current regulations allowing people in the US to donate twice a week is more than any other place in the world, but people do it for the money.
  • Impoverished individuals may continue to donate plasma for a long period of time, which can be harmful.

While it is quite safe to occasionally donate plasma, there are some risks associated with regularly donating plasma over a long period of time. A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that long-term plasma donation is heavily associated with lower levels of immunoglobulins, suppressor T cells, and natural killer cells. These cells are all critical components of the immune system. The NIH study found these results to be significant enough that further study was warranted into the long-term effects of plasma donation. Long-term donors sometimes complain of pain, rubbery legs, and tingling sensations.

As such, the current conclusion on the safety of plasma donation is that occasional, sporadic plasma donation is safe, as is plasma donation in and of itself. However, regular, long-term plasma donation poses enough of a hazard that it ought to be avoided.

Sources: redcrossblood.org, donatingplasma.org, theatlantic.com

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95 Comments

  1. Kirsten Reinford
    October 27, 2016
    Reply

    This information would be more helpful if “long term” was defined. Is long term 6 months? 6 years? Presumably donating once a week is better than donating twice a week, but at what point does it cross over from safe to hazardous?

    • Sheila
      August 5, 2018
      Reply

      I have been donating twice a week for about 2 months and I have bump on my veins where they stick me at and I’m starting to get acne on my face. I’m not doing it anymore. It’s embarrassing for someone to ask what’s that on my vein, probably think I’m a drug user! I hope it goes away!

      • nan
        September 25, 2018
        Reply

        testing.

      • CiCi
        November 7, 2018
        Reply

        You can use vitamin E capsules to break down scar tissue and fade away the scar.

      • sean
        December 12, 2018
        Reply

        Put a drop of vitamin e oil on the injection site 2 hours after the donation and it will help immensely

    • Sheila Jiles
      November 3, 2018
      Reply

      Your absolutely right! I would like for them to clearly define long term. I have been donating on and off for a year now, in southern California at various plasma places. I have to say that FOR ME their are “side effects”.
      I am someone who is health conscious and in tune with my body. I generally donate when money is getting a little tight, and even then I try to give my self a couple weeks in between to recover because I do feel depleted. You all have to realize that plasma has some serious nutrients, and cancer sickness fighting agents in it. Antibodies if I must say, so you ARE being depleted of something. The saline that they inject your body with afterwards is for hydration purposes, NOT replacing your nutrients. That’s why it is important to eat a NUTRITIOUS HEALTHY MEAL BEFORE OR AFTERWARDS. Not hot cheetos and cheeseburgers, and Faygo sodas. Anyway, usually my symptoms are extreme fatigue, and rapid heart rate. When my heart beats fast, I usually eat a couple of bananas, and drink lots of water. Afterwards my heart regulates the same. As I said before, I usually try to wait a few weeks in between donations if i can, unless I am strapped for gas money. If I know i’ll be donating multiple times in a month I will make sure to get right!

    • Clay
      November 19, 2018
      Reply

      I have been donating once or twice per week for the past 4 or 5 months. In the beginning I would feel tired afterward, but eventually my body got acclimated. I’m also a very active person, I run about 20-30 miles per week and regularly in the gym. I have noticed that my endurance has been negatively affected. Last week, I went to donate they did a blood test and told me afterward that my protein was too low and told me I would need to get my protein up before I could donate again. Very weird because all my life my doctors always told me my protein was either good or high when I had a checkup. I haven’t changed my diet. So I think donating plasma does deplete you of nutrients and probably protein. It was funny, they gave me a list of things that I need to be eating and were talking to me as if I hasn’t been eating enough foods with protein, which I know is B.S. I’m giving it a break and allowing my body to restore what it needs before donating again. I recommend if you donate often, give yourself and your body a break every once in a while.

      • PHIL
        November 29, 2018
        Reply

        Thats just it. You must change your diet. The days you donate, 9 eggs boiled..3 alongside each meal, 1of3 meals must be absolutely adjacent to donation, beginning or immediately following, with 32oz powerade or I prefer pedialyte. You do 9 eggs and pedialyte, youll feel like superman.

        • ProteinDeficit
          October 6, 2019
          Reply

          So you really think just 9 boiled eggs on the day of donation will make the difference?

          I’ve donated twice weekly for approximately 3.5 months. My protein has dipped too low. I had to take a break and then go back in to have my protein checked again. It was even lower the second time after taking a break. I’m baffled because I did everything they said to. I was eating meat and eggs and drinking protein shakes regularly. I do run and lift weights, but I’m taking in way more protein than I was before I started donating plasma.

          I’ve never felt tired or depleted. I have plenty of energy. I can still run and lift weights like I did before donating. I haven’t been sick at all since I started donating plasma either. It’s just my darn protein level. 🙁

          I really want to figure this out, because I’m a single mom and the extra money is perfect for birthdays/christmas/fun activities for my kiddos. I try not to touch it for myself. Any tips appreciated!

      • Niki
        December 11, 2018
        Reply

        I’m from Australia, there is no such thing as getting paid to give plasma. I donated tonight and do so on a very regular basis. I do it to save lives, not for money. I’m yet to see any side effects and I’ve been donating 5 years.

        • Guano
          June 26, 2019
          Reply

          In the U.S., it’s legal to donate plasma twice a week, with two days between donations. Donors are usually paid, although you can donate for free through the Red Cross.
          Nowhere else on Earth can you donate so frequently. So if your “regular basis” is once a month, it’s no comparison to those who donate 8x month. That could earn someone an extra $350 in the U.S.

  2. Brad
    November 19, 2016
    Reply

    I’ve been donating plasma for 4 years regularly, I have felt the affects of tiredness and a bunch of other symptoms of fatigue related . After one year of donating regularly, my body adjusted to that feeling and I was fine . 4 years later Im not sure if it’s plasma related but it seems after I donate, I feel as though I am more depressed and less capable of dealing with stress . I’m not sure if this is long term related or not but I’ve noticed it gets worse after donating plasma

    • elias
      March 10, 2018
      Reply

      dont donate anymore thing of your health as well

      • Rosa
        June 7, 2018
        Reply

        Just went into a plasma center.One of the workers there mess up my vain. I felt a huge pain.i will never go there again. He did not apolagize.????

        • Alla V Gromskaya
          June 26, 2019
          Reply

          Had that happen to me some years back. I had a huge hematoma on my entire arm. I told the guy the needle placement hurt and he did nothing to fix it. Foolishly, I went back recently because I need the extra cash, but it’s been okay so far. My biggest fear is that they’ll hit a nerve and do irreversible damage.

    • yo boy
      June 20, 2018
      Reply

      sounds like they want to bottle your soul and use it to give life to those whose have depleted. AVOIDING!

  3. Maribel
    November 26, 2016
    Reply

    It would be helpful if “long term” is defined.

    • February 13, 2018
      Reply

      When donating plasma ona regular basis,vital nutrients are lost (robbed)from your body.Thus,you have to eat healthy,ie;greens,dairy and proteins.Limit sugars!

      • Jacob
        November 9, 2018
        Reply

        dairy is not healthy for anyone.

        • sean
          December 12, 2018
          Reply

          That is utter bullshit. Dairy has a horde of health benefits when consumed in moderation (as with all natural foods)

        • CAROL FIFI
          July 1, 2019
          Reply

          Yes! It’s healthy for a baby calf!!

  4. Jane Doe
    December 7, 2016
    Reply

    I’ve only donated twice and my donation side arm (from entry downward to my hand) & leg has the tingling & numbness… After only 2x… You should include that into your article, because advise this is a potential effect after a extended donation time, can be misleading.

    I’m done donating After 2x too many… Love my body too much for all of what I feel already…

    • Alex
      September 23, 2018
      Reply

      Hey, I just donated twice in one week and my right (donation) side is feeling noticeably weaker and weird, was wondering if your symptoms ever went away?

    • trishia susie crane
      September 24, 2018
      Reply

      The tingling is called Citrate Reaction.

    • Alla V Gromskaya
      June 26, 2019
      Reply

      Sounds like they hit a nerve. Although a rare occurrence, it can happen.

  5. S lee
    April 11, 2017
    Reply

    I have donated 4 times my daughter has been donated for about 4 months & so far so good for us. & we donate twice a week.

  6. Jane
    April 17, 2017
    Reply

    Plasma is vital to human life however paid plasma donations are never used in another human – that is illegal. If you are paid for plasma it is used in testing drugs but only voluntary unpaid donations of whole blood, platelets and plasma is transfused into another person.

    • Amanda
      February 2, 2018
      Reply

      That’s why they are not paying you for the plasma, but compensating for your time.
      That is how they skirt around that. They do not pay you for your plasma, they have you sign a paper saying you understand that you are voluntarily donating your plasma for no compensation.
      Accepting payment for your time there is also optional.

      • May 9, 2018
        Reply

        That’s bullshit the use it to make medication which does go into human bloodstream,

      • Kim
        June 28, 2018
        Reply

        Exactly what Scott said! I get immunoglobulin every three weeks and it is made from the plasma of donors.

    • Pickeldtigernuts
      July 19, 2018
      Reply

      I seriously doubt that’s true. What qualifications or data do you have to back that up? Where i donate the the receivers of the plasma actually come in occasionally and thank the donors. I certainly feel like my plasma is being used. I get paid. They can check the plasma before it’s distributed.

  7. April 18, 2017
    Reply

    I’ve donated plasma for 2 + months now steady twice a week and I can tell you i just caugfht shingles..now i do not know if i ahve other viruses such as hiv and aids or cancer…but reading this im leaning towards giving plasma as being why my shingles popped out being i am only 40 .. you can keep updated at http://jasonraffa.com

    • Karen James
      October 26, 2018
      Reply

      I got shingles at 21. It can happen. It has to do with how your body reacts to stress. So maybe donating made you weaker and thus more stressed. But donating in itself did not give you shingles.

    • Dana
      November 30, 2018
      Reply

      If you had chicken pox as a child you have the virus causing shingles in you. It’s the same virus. I doubt you got shingles because of donating plasma. My mom and brother bit had shingles. They have never donated plasma.

  8. TennGal58
    May 21, 2017
    Reply

    One does not “catch” shingles.

    From Wikipedia: “Shingles is due to a reactivation of varicella zoster virus (VZV) within a person’s body. Chickenpox is due to an initial infection with VZV. Once chickenpox has resolved, the virus may remain inactive in nerve cells. When it reactivates it travels from the nerve body to the endings in the skin producing blisters. Risk factors for reactivation include old age, poor immune function, and having had chickenpox before 18 months of age. How the virus remains in the body or subsequently re-activates is not well understood. Exposure to the virus in the blisters can cause chickenpox in someone who has not had it before but will not trigger shingles.”

    According to the above article: “A study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that long-term plasma donation is heavily associated with lower levels of immunoglobulins, suppressor T cells, and natural killer cells. These cells are all critical components of the immune system.”

    So, since poor immune function is a risk factor for both plasma donation and reactivation of the shingles virus (VZV), it’s reasonable to surmise that this is what happened in your case, regardless of your age.

    Donating plasma has absolutely nothing to do with whether you have HIV, AIDS, or cancer.

    • John
      December 27, 2017
      Reply

      Shingles is a delayed reaction to having had chickenpox as a child. A person who has had chickenpox should get a shingles vaccination, and do it before the first outbreak of shingles, because after that, the vaccination will do no good.

  9. cassie sal
    May 29, 2017
    Reply

    I’ve been donate off and on I was doing it for 4 months then stop for 6 months and know I’m bk doing It again for the last ,5 months and I just want to know the long term effects. My dad dnt like me doing this and is woried for my health I feel fine other then the fact that the last time I donated is I got poked twice on in each arm and know I one of my arm is all black and brown BC she moved the needle around to much and put it in too far and how the %$#@ I barley moved my are with out it hurting and know I’m like wanna quit again

    • Alla V Gromskaya
      June 26, 2019
      Reply

      They won’t let you donate for some time if you have signs of a hematoma. I would give it a break for a while. I did after it happened to me. 5 years to be exact, just started again for extra cash but am about to give it a break again. Been feeling exhausted and on the verge of getting sick or something. Time to replenish my body.

  10. Tyler
    June 5, 2017
    Reply

    I have been donating twice a week for 6 months and if anything I feel healthier! This is most likely due to the necessity and motivation of paying closer attention to eating right, exercising regularly and staying well-hydrated, all of which help me avoid being “deferred” and make for a quicker donation. Have not had so much as a cold in that period. Only downside is the puncture marks- one on each arm, but not a big deal.

  11. Tracy
    September 7, 2017
    Reply

    I’m amazed that you can donate twice a week in the US. I am in Australia, we can only donate once every fortnight (2 weeks) and I personally prefer every 3 weeks. To give my body a chance to recover and I also find that the needle holes take longer to heal ( not sure if that is because of aging or just frequency of being jabbed)
    Nobody has looked into the long term effects of regular donations, you do loose some water and also calcium. We have very strict regulations monitoring the health of doners here and it is a volunteer system.

    • Blah
      September 19, 2017
      Reply

      Its good that we can donate twice a week here in US. It helps out poor people like me. The needle hole heals in 3 days for me. I dont care about my health, I have depression and dont work so its extra money to eat and stuff. Ive been donating twice a week for 8 months.

      • yo boy
        June 20, 2018
        Reply

        that’s terrible sad go get your ass a job before this shit weakens you too much to where your disabled and can’t.

        • Tara Whatever
          December 17, 2018
          Reply

          What a presumptuous statement. Do you know how many people in America work 40 + hours per week, yet still find it difficult to cover just their base bills? Do you know how many people are on forced disability because they are unable to work due to medical limitations? Do you realize how ignorant you convey yourself to be? I suggest you use your free time to research a few things.

        • Alla
          June 26, 2019
          Reply

          Nice assumption that those that donate are unemployed. I just graduated medical school and worked my butt off while I was attending my classes. Inflation is high, sometimes you need extra money to make ends meet. Even having some extra dough for gas helps a lot.

  12. Ginger
    November 1, 2017
    Reply

    I donate plasma at Ked Plasma. They only take people with RH negative blood and use it to create Rhogam, which is given to mothers when they give birth. I’ve donated once, sometimes twice/week for a few months now and I’m the thinnest I’ve been in 25 years (steadily losing weight since the start of donating). Also, I feel like I got run over by a train sometimes an entire day after donating. The exhaustion is terrible. There are definite side effects they don’t tell you about. The money is good but the effects on my health are making it so I am second guessing the twice/week donating. At age 45 this is becoming too hard on my body.

    • Eddie
      January 6, 2018
      Reply

      I think that getting run over by a train would leave you feeling nothing at all. Parts and pieces. If you believe that donating is going to ruin your day and eventually your health, just stop donating. How is that even a question.

      Take care of your body first. Be informed. Why would anyone donate at a center that was questionable? Comparing this process to a back ally abortion is also ridiculous. I’ve been to two centers and both are very clean and professional, but expecting the chairs, for example, to be sterile? That isn’t going to happen.

      I have been donating twice a week for about three months and it really doesn’t bother me at all that day. But I think the temp job that I was working, lifting 26lb. boxes all day, DID make my limbs hurt, so I quit that.

  13. Kathy
    November 16, 2017
    Reply

    I am a 65 year old female and have never donated before. Are there more risks as you get older? Thinking of going in for my first time tomorrow. I would like to do twice / week rotation. Any thoughts on this?

    • Ann
      March 8, 2018
      Reply

      Where I live they do not allow people over 65 years old to donate plasma anymore. So they must think it is more risky. If you are 65, it would not hurt to try to find out more about why they have this age cut-off point, before trying to donate. Here is a link where this is being discussed: https://www.medschat.com/Discuss/donating-plasma-after-age-65-280960.htm

      • Lyn
        June 4, 2018
        Reply

        I don’t think you can donate at 65

    • May 9, 2018
      Reply

      So how did it work out are you still kicking ?

  14. Kaarina
    December 24, 2017
    Reply

    I have recently tried to donate at my local plasma donation center. I have only donated twice. And both tries were unsuccessful for me. The first time I was only able to donate about 300 ml of plasma and the 2nd time I was able to donate about 500 ml. The amount that you are supposed to donate depends on your weight which for me meant that I was supposed to donate about 800 ml. Unfortunately, both times my body reacted badly. During the donation process I started to feel very weak, nauseous, light headed like I was about to pass out. The staff was very well trained in responding to the symptoms I was feeling and immediately stopped the donation process. I was given saline in order to get me back to normalish (normalish because the saline made my body shiver and my heart beat felt a little off). I would love to donate plasma but I am not sure that my body can handle the side effects.

    • Derek
      May 5, 2018
      Reply

      The saline made you shiver and cold because it is room temperature. Your body is much hotter, so the saline makes you cold.

  15. Jeremy
    January 8, 2018
    Reply

    I think the thing to remember is everybody’s body reacts differently. Yes, there are people saying they are seeing very negative effects after one or two donations. Others are saying they have been doing it for years with no noticeable side effects.

    I’ve been donating twice a week for nearly a year now. I notice a little bit of extra fatigue for a couple of hours after donating, but otherwise I’m just as healthy feeling as I was prior to starting. As others have mentioned, if nothing else it helps me remember to stay properly hydrated so I’m probably healthier overall than I was before.

    I think the most important thing is to weigh the benefits and drawbacks for yourself. I enjoy doing it because I can lay there for an hour and read or catch up on my Netflix, and the plasma drawn is used to make life-saving drugs. The extra spending money isn’t bad either, but it isn’t that isn’t my primary motivator to keep going back. If you experience negative effects, talk to the staff or even your doctor to see if there is anything that can be done to mitigate them, or perhaps your body just won’t tolerate donation at all.

    • Ron
      April 24, 2018
      Reply

      I agree with Jeremy. I am 55, was donating whole blood twice a year. First time in high school. Switched over to plasma about 2 years ago. Red Cross allows to donate plasma , I think every 2 or 4 weeks. I normally do it every 6-8 weeks. Big difference if I don’t drink more than normal amount of water. And I treat myself to a steak after I donate. I have only had one instance where I was dizzy several days after I donated, because I wasn’t drinking enough.
      I consider my self a health person. I swim 3 or 4 mornings a week. I don’t swim for several days after donating. I donate to help people, not for the $10 Walmart card.

      • Get over yourselves
        November 20, 2018
        Reply

        $10 Walmart card? lol. Don’t exaggerate to make a point, or find a different place to donate. There’s no reason it can’t be a win/win. My donation location is $340 a month on a standard prepaid MasterCard which can be used anywhere, including to pull cash from an ATM. The $340 is assuming there are no extra promotions happening.

        Do it for your own reasons, but the ‘holier than thou’ attitude makes you look shitty.

        • Niki
          December 11, 2018
          Reply

          I’m from Australia, we don’t get paid a cent for donating plasma, it does not exist here. We do get some cheese and biccies afterwards for our troubles.

      • Get over yourselves
        November 20, 2018
        Reply

        $10 Walmart Card? My location pays $340/month for max donations. There’s not reason it can’t be a win/win. Don’t exaggerate to try to make a badly thought out point.

        So it for whatever reason you want, but the ‘holier than thou” attitude just makes you look bad.

  16. Stephanie
    January 11, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve been donating plasma regularly (2xs a week) for the past few months. I don’t have any big issues NORMALLY. But i get sick more often. I donated 2 days ago and broke with illness yesterday. Skin aches, high fever, neck pain, sore throat. It has never taken this long to recover and I’ve never felt so miserable in my life. Alsoooo when I stress out too much I get a cold sore. I actually got 2 cold sores after the stress of a new job and donating plasma twice a week, which also has never happened in my entire life. This article must be correct about long term donation weakening your immune system. I lost feeling in my hands a couple times after donation and it takes about 5-10 minutes for the feeling to come back. Also I have no strength or stamina after donation. I’ve been so weak that I almost collapsed. But eating healthy, eliminating stress, donating less often, and rest are all ways to decrease the chances of you having these effects.

  17. Michelle L Rattray
    January 22, 2018
    Reply

    Has anyone noticed hair loss?

    • todd wiseman Ohio Univ
      March 22, 2018
      Reply

      yeah bigtime, if u a guy , it will make u bald as a cue baLL over time, like short time (3 months) NOT worth it , cause hair does NOT grow back , u would have to pay about 3,000 to get hair root implants or wear a fake wig and b laughed at,

      • Gabriel Bartash
        August 21, 2018
        Reply

        Donating plasma does NOT cause male pattern baldness.

    • Ian
      July 16, 2018
      Reply

      No have you?

  18. Ken
    January 29, 2018
    Reply

    I am 55 yrs old. In my twenties I donated once or twice a week for several years. I also donated whole blood regularly at work and at Red Cross blood drives. I was in the military and then worked for the state. Both are target markets for the Red Cross. I had NO SIDE EFFECTS or other symptoms. However, there is so much scar tissue in my elbow pits it is almost impossible for doctors to find a vein there. I am left with the back of my forearm or the back of my hand for IV’s. While it may or may not be safe to regularly donate plasma, I believe if you continually let the staff poke your elbow pits , there is a price to be paid in actual tissue damage. It’s been 25 years since I donated,…..the scar tissue will be there forever.

  19. Tracy
    January 30, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve been donating for over 6 months now, twice a week unless I’ve been deferred. I agree, it would be good to know how long is to long to prevent any issues to the any one who donates. At the center I go to, you answer questions about your health EVERY TIME and they screen you for low iron and low plasma protein every visit also. As well as your blood pressure and heart rate. If you bruise or if anything is off, they won’t take your plasma, AND you have to be re-evaluated by the doctors for certain deferrals. I’ve not been sick, from the donations, and the staff are trained phlebotomists. It’s sanitary and clean, they have strict regulations they follow. It’s to help people that need it. Sounds strange to some people, but I just found out from somebody I know they have a relative that uses plasma medication. I know I won’t do this forever, but it’s good to know I’m getting some funds I need, and best of all, someone’s life is better because of donating.

    • Barry Seward
      April 19, 2018
      Reply

      Hi, The place I donate tests for protein and hematocrit levels. The don’t test for iron though. Have you noticed a big decrease in iron levels? Just st wondering if I should get my levels checked by my doc, or, take an iron supplement. Thank you for any advice you could provide.

      • Bob
        May 28, 2018
        Reply

        My hematocrit was low last time I went to donate, and low iron is usually why your hematocrit levels would be low. Go ahead and take a multivitamin.

    • jan
      October 28, 2018
      Reply

      Very well said, Tracy. I, too, have had the same experience as you. Thanks for sharing.

  20. todd wiseman Ohio Univ
    March 22, 2018
    Reply

    its really NOT to way to go, selling your souL to the deviL like that for $$$ most would rather pick up metal cans to recycle and get cash that way, a LOT of students here on campus got hooked on giving away their sacred blood liquids, and now most are NOT able to have s_x with a girl , plasma contains the souLs life force energy, when u have strangers drain it from you , bad things happen , it ages you bigtime, let us say you are 25 years old, well if u start draining your life force energy like that for cheap $, for a even a short time, like 3 months , it will age you FIVE YEARS, like I say, it drains your KUNDALINI s_x energy, and to be honest 20 bux a week is chickenfeed, the plasma company sells your pint of fluid for $ 250.00 so they make 230 a pint in dirty profit, only un-educated sell their life force that way, it’s really sad, you can also just mow grass n the summer to make money AND stay healthy, Lastly, I would NOT TRUST these places to use clean needles and wash their hands and all that, you do RISK getting AIDS from just walking thru the door, they often do not screen due to the employees they have who do NOT have a medical backround at all.

    • Justine
      May 11, 2018
      Reply

      Selling your life force and being unable to have sex? Risking Aids? These are certified medical establishments with certified nurses and phlebotomists. And I’m pretty sure my life force and sexuality isn’t stored in my plasma. Weird..

      • Matt
        June 25, 2018
        Reply

        Lmao ????????

    • Michael Lyle
      June 5, 2018
      Reply

      Hey todd,

      Why not save that hocus pocus crap for some crystal wearing tarot card reading website?
      People here are looking for answers from people who’ve actually donated blood and have a brain.

      I pray for ohio university of you are the result of their teaching. Idiot.

    • Alla
      June 26, 2019
      Reply

      Wow, calling us uneducated? Okay, bud.

  21. One World
    April 1, 2018
    Reply

    Quit feeding the plasma vampire Illuminati industries. They send your plasma to underground cloning centers, clone you thousands of times, and torture, kill your twins to conduct human experiments, feed vampires, reptilians, shape shifting extraterrestrials from other worldly dimensions that feed on human flesh.

    • Get over yourselves
      November 20, 2018
      Reply

      Imagination is a great thing. Keep it up!

  22. Rhonda
    April 9, 2018
    Reply

    My niece is 22 yrs old and has donated for about a year twice a week. She got flu like symptoms and went to the Dr, they ran basic blood work. The Dr’s office informed her that her potassium levels and several other blood values are depleted. They are sending her to specialists now. She was a healthy young lady with no prior abnormal lab values. I have begged her to stop donating so frequently. She said usually when she begins feeling sluggish and yucky she lays off till she feels better and then resumes donating. My point is that obviously there is some relation to donating that frequently, for some. Everyone’s body is different. What makes one persons body susceptible to things may not make yours and vice versa. Listen to your body and symptoms and act on it accordingly. The money you make will not be enough to cover health issues in the future. Once again still donate. Peoples lives depend on it. Just don’t put your body and life at risk.

    • Coseana Branch
      July 15, 2019
      Reply

      You are right with that potassium level being high. I am experiencing that too. I had blood work done 2 weeks ago, that’s the only thing that is high on my results. I’ve been feeling nauseous lately because of it. Thanks for the article.

      • Lisa
        January 8, 2021
        Reply

        Oh, gosh. I’ve been donating twice a week for over 2 months now, and lab work at my doctor’s office this week showed that my potassium level is high. That’s never happened before. Could my plasma donations really be the cause? I asked the nurse, and she said no, but maybe she doesn’t know a lot about how plasma affects it.

  23. Rhonda McCormick
    April 9, 2018
    Reply

    Everyone’s body is different. What makes one persons body susceptible to things may not make yours and vice versa. Listen to your body and symptoms and act on it accordingly. The money you make will not be enough to cover health issues in the future. Once again still donate. Peoples lives depend on it. Just don’t put your bodyMy niece is 22 yrs old and has donated for about a year twice a week. She got flu like symptoms and went to the Dr, they ran basic blood work. The Dr’s office informed her that her potassium levels and several other blood values are depleted. They are sending her to specialists now. She was a healthy young lady with no prior abnormal lab values. I have begged her to stop donating so frequently. She said usually when she begins feeling sluggish and yucky she lays off till she feels better and then resumes donating. My point is that obviously there is some relation to donating that frequently, for some. and life at risk.

  24. Milwaukeeguy
    April 19, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve done it for over a month. I read the stories and have talked to people at the center. I haven’t had any bad effects. I will stop after 2 months. What is starting is I get a tingling sensation which isn’t good. Not saying donating is bad but for me I guess 2 months is enough. Also the last 2 times I think they stuck me too deep. I usually am done is 35-40 minutes. Last 2 I was around 80. I was told it was due to what I ate. Thing is diet has not changed and I drink avlot more water on donating days. My friend is a nurse at the Blood Centers and she told me I had to have been stuck too deep and the reason I got the tingling. I also hated having them to readjust the needle 3 times on the last 2 donations. The great benefit for me was in January my cholesterol was 372…yep 372 and I got it tested last week and it was 209. I wonder if it is due to donating. If anything I will donate 2 months before my yearly physical. Thanks for all those that posted their experience.

    • Jack
      April 24, 2018
      Reply

      Hey MilwaukeeGuy,
      I was donating for a while, but had to stop because during the time I was donating I was generally in the worst health I had ever been in. That’s just my opinion, but I’m a lot healthier when not donating. As for the slow draw time, I was always faster when I hydrated a lot the day before and the day of the donation. I hope that helps.

  25. May 9, 2018
    Reply

    I am 55 I have donated now for 2-1/2 years. I have two big needle picture scares. The scars don’t go away. I have difficulty climbing my stairs after donation. I am out of breath by the time I reach the top. I am alway extremely thirsty after donation. I generally break out with eczema or psoriasis. I have issues with my knee giving out as I climb the stair now. I dont donate as much , but I need the money. It’s a shame that they milk the poor , but they do. 25 for first visit on a Citi prepaid card that charges 50 cent to withdrawal cash each time. Then the second donation they pay your 40 dollars. If you make 7 donations you get an whopping extra 25 dollars and your 8 th donation they add 20 dollars and your 9 th they give you 15 extra bucks. Octapharma. They email me constantly to return and suck the life out for pennies on the dollar. Then sell the medications produced from the plasma for big money to people in need. You can lose the ability to fight off pathogens if you donate too long. Then you too with need the medication that your plasma produced. ☠️

  26. Dave Nelson
    May 17, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve donated blood my whole life, I’m 65. When I was 44 a blood mobile person told me that my AB Positive blood cold help more people if I did plasma/platelet donation. Since then I’ve done plasma/platelet. I always feel better, never get sick, sometimes I’m tired. AB plasma can be used by any blood type.

  27. Aaron
    May 29, 2018
    Reply

    I donated plasma twice a week for 2 months. I’m 38, physically fit, eat healthy, and was rarely sick before donating.

    The experience was easy for me, and the money nice, but I caught 3 colds in those 2 months, each lasting almost long enough to end when the next starts.

    1 liter of plasma has 70 grams of proteins. How much extra protein can you eat in a day? Do some take longer to replace than others? Can you only produce so much on a lifetime? Your body uses plasma to heal. Do you believe it really is replaced in 48 hours?

    I’m no longer catching colds now that I quit. Took a few weeks for my immune system to catch up. But the money is tempting. I plan to do a few more months, and just keep my hands off my face.

  28. June 1, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve been donating plasma twice a week for about 5 years now.
    I have had a few bad donating experiences over the last several years that resulted in profuse sweating, nausea, dizziness, and the feeling of losing consciousness, but I think it was because I had not ate enough or was not hydrated enough before my appointment.
    The other issues I have are occasional low protein levels, and also now seem to have an issue with repeated increased heart rate several times a day (which may just be caused by anxiety?)
    So, is long term donation safe?
    Not sure?
    But, I personally will continue to donate until I am deemed medically unfit to do so.

  29. Thomas Miller
    June 2, 2018
    Reply

    Your comments lack logic and your continued use of the same phrase or is that your catch line uncovers your limited vocabulary.

  30. Diane
    June 12, 2018
    Reply

    I am 61 years old and starting donating in August of 2017. I have not suffered any had in negative symptons in that time. My pre donation meal consist of a beans and chicken stew I make. Only eat about a cup to insure my iron and protein levels are ok for donating. When i leave the center i drink my homemade sports drink consisting of 1 cup of coconut water, orange juice, Apple cider vingear, lemon juice and a little salt. When i get home i usually have some eggs to replenish my protein. I go to CS L plasma and they just recently increased their donor fees. So i make $80 per week (thats for 2 donations per week) plus the bonus money is anywhere between $60-$80 extra per month.

  31. dill
    July 11, 2018
    Reply

    I used to donate until I found out that democrats were using it to make shakes. Guess they ran out of abortions.

  32. Aaron Cervantes
    August 8, 2018
    Reply

    Had been donating years ago at CSL Plasma and still have side effects metabolism is not what it use to be and I’m in my early 20s before giving plasma wouldn’t get sharp pains randomly from flexing the muscles where they constantly inserted the needles I don’t recommend anyone Ever getting plasma unless you wanna ruin your blood matrix which can be permanent from the constant replacement of saline to compensate for all the minerals and components that let are body maintain homeostasis.im no doctor but anyone with common knowledge knows there body hasn’t been the same since giving plasma.

  33. Danielle
    August 13, 2018
    Reply

    I have been donating plasma twice a week for over 13 years, I rarely get sick (MAYBE 1 time a year). Like the above people have stated in prior responses plasma donations are used in helping save the lives of individuals with immune deficiency disorder, burn victims, and many other cases.
    Yes, I feel fatigued after donating but if I eat or drink something I feel replenished.

    • Dennis Luna
      May 7, 2019
      Reply

      I definitely agree with this, I have also been donating plasma and blood products since 1982. I also occasionally feel tired afterward, but eating something helps just fine. I also rarely get sick. I just wish that I was compensated equally to what these companies make from 1 bottle of plasma.

  34. nancy
    September 25, 2018
    Reply

    I am 59 years old and recently am considering selling plasma. The couple times that I went in there in the last month or 2 with my sister, first they said that I didn’t have proof of address so had to get an envelope with name and address from 20 days or less ago, so then returned but they didn’t want me because I had slipped on the wet floor at home and had a cast on my wrist. (luckily I didn’t need surgery.) Now I am thinking of going back but reading these messages on here and other sites is scaring me. I am like 60 lbs overweight at least, so the ‘skinny’ underfed thing won’t be my undoing! I am low income with ssi and wanted some extra cash, but is it worth it? it is CSL so not too shabby I guess? I am trying to drink lots of water anyway since it is AZ and 100 plus degrees. I KNOW the older you are you have less fluids, or at least, older people tend to not drink enough water. (My mom tried to donate blood in the 90’s for a relative but they said she was too dehydrated, I remember). But she was like 70. Anyhow, I am still weighing the pros and cons. What do YOU think?

  35. Get over yourselves
    November 20, 2018
    Reply

    Most of these replies are from the uneducated “think they know” how the world works types. Go read some biology books, or any book for that matter and expand your mind instead of spouting off what you think you know.

  36. Cindy
    November 30, 2018
    Reply

    I’ve been trying to donate and 3 out of 5 times my blood started off flowing great and then shortly thereafter stopped. 2 x’s worked well. I had drank lots of water beforehand. This time they tried both arms and it did the same thing on both. Any ideas?

  37. February 2, 2021
    Reply

    If you ever had the chicken pox, the shingles virus is alive and well in you. It usually takes a very stressful experience to have shingles break out, but can erupt for any reason as it’s connected to the virus that causes chicken pox. My mom got shingles while going through her divorce from my dad…donating blood or plasma shouldn’t cause a shingles outbreak but you should always check with your primary care physician on anything unusual going on in/with your body/health.

  38. Anon
    August 14, 2021
    Reply

    I just donated plasma for the first time the other day. I felt kind of weird for approximately the first 12 hours afterward – like my heart was sort of burning a little bit. I was concerned. But it went away after about 12 hours and I felt fine from that point onward.

    I donated because there is evidence that plasmapheresis (which is what occurs during plasma donation) might slow down the aging process (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7288913/).

    Dr’s Irina and Michael Conboy out of UC Berkeley have been running studies on mice and the effect that blood has on aging for the last 15+ years. More recently, they have begun human trials. In the study cited above published last year, the protein profile of human patients who had undergone a form of plasmapheresis called “Therapeutic Plasma Exchange” (TPE) had returned to youthful levels after TPE.

    Other studies have found that the proteins in blood plasma are the key systemic signaling agents that essentially command our body’s genes to express as young or old. There is a tremendous difference between an older person’s blood plasma protein profile and a younger person’s profile. A Stanford scientist named Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray has found that the plasma profile of a human being changes in three distinct waves throughout a person’s life: at approximately 34, 60, and 78 years of age.

    The difference between TPE and normal plasma donation is the amount of plasma changed out. TPE exchanges much more plasma for saline/albumin than does standard plasma donation. TPE is currently prescribed by doctors for a variety of medical conditions and isn’t available to the general public without a doctor’s orders.

    So, there’s no evidence that plasma donation actually slows down aging but there is evidence that TPE might. There’s also no evidence that plasma donation doesn’t slow down aging because plasma donation as a rejuvenative therapy hasn’t been studied. However, since both TPE and plasma donation use plasmapheresis, the potential exists that plasma donation might help slow down aging. If plasma donation is conducted according to US health regulations, the risk of adverse effects is minimal. As an added bonus, it can also help save other people’s lives.

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