Young Plasma Exchange (TPE)
Episodes covering young plasma exchange (tpe) — protocols, research, and expert discussions.
Therapeutic plasma exchange using plasma from young healthy donors (ages 18-25) to rejuvenate biological markers and potentially reverse aspects of aging
Young Plasma Exchange is one of the most cutting-edge longevity interventions available. The May 2025 Buck Institute clinical trial showed a 2.6-year reduction in biological age using multi-omic biomarkers, the first placebo-controlled human trial to demonstrate this effect.
Ben Greenfield calls it "probably the biggest game-changer I've ever experienced for feeling like I've wound back the clock to eighteen years old." However, it's expensive, only available at specialized clinics (primarily in Texas), and long-term effects remain unknown.
Promising early science, dramatic anecdotal reports, but still experimental. For those with resources seeking cutting-edge longevity interventions, this is worth considering. For most people, stick with proven interventions first.
Science & Mechanisms
Mechanisms:
- Dilution of pro-aging factors: Removes accumulated inflammatory proteins, damaged immunoglobulins, and pro-aging factors from circulation
- Introduction of young plasma factors: Young plasma contains growth factors, peptides, exosomes, and regenerative components
- Immune system reset: May help recalibrate immune function
- Epigenetic changes: Multi-omic analysis shows changes in epigenome, proteome, metabolome, and glycome
Key Research:
- Fuentealba et al. (2025) in Aging Cell: First randomized placebo-controlled trial
- 44 adults over 50 years old
- Bi-weekly TPE + IVIG: 2.61 year biological age reduction
- TPE alone: 1.32 year reduction
- Measured using 36 epigenetic clocks
- Improvements in balance and strength
- Safety profile: 0.42% mild allergic reaction rate (1 in 240 procedures)
What Was Measured:
- Epigenetic clocks (DNA methylation patterns)
- Proteome changes
- Metabolome shifts
- Glycome modifications
- Immune system markers
- Physical measures (balance, strength)
Earlier Animal Research:
- Parabiosis studies (connecting circulatory systems of young and old mice) showed rejuvenation effects
- Young blood factors improved cognitive function, muscle repair, and organ function in aged animals
Limitations:
- Small sample size (44 participants)
- Long-term effects unknown
- Optimal frequency and duration unclear
- Mechanism not fully understood
- May be dilution effect rather than young factors specifically
Episodes
Dr. Judith Campisi discusses cellular senescence, its role in aging, and potential therapeutic interventions.
Ben Greenfield visits Dr. Khanh Nguyen at Austin Regenerative Therapy for three days of advanced regenerative medicine treatments and reports on his firsthand experience. The ep...
Dr. John Leakey and Dr. Payman Danielpour discuss therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) as a cutting-edge longevity intervention. They explain the procedure as an "oil change" for t...
Gwyneth Paltrow interviews Dr. Paul Savage, founder of MD Lifespan, about therapeutic plasma exchange and its role in detoxification and longevity. Dr. Savage explains TPE as a ...
Dr. Irina Conboy, professor of bioengineering at UC Berkeley, and her lab colleague Michael Conboy explain the science behind therapeutic plasma exchange as an anti-aging interv...
Dr. David Traster interviews Dr. Peter Miller, a Johns Hopkins-trained transfusion medicine specialist who runs VIP TPE in Boca Raton. Dr. Miller provides the most technically d...
David Stewart of AGEIST interviews Dr. Sanjeev Goel about therapeutic plasma exchange and its remarkable potential for Alzheimer's prevention and treatment. Dr. Goel traces the ...
Hosts Tegan Taylor and Dr. Norman Swan dissect Bryan Johnson's Don't Die longevity protocol, examining the science behind his extreme biohacking regimen. They discuss his progre...
Stanford neurologist Dr. Tony Wyss-Coray explains his groundbreaking research on blood-borne factors that can rejuvenate aging brains, including proteins abundant in young blood...