In shopping malls, one can acquire almost anything: expensive jewelry, a new car, and now, potentially, a longer life.
Aesura Health, located in an upscale shopping center in Hackensack, New Jersey, recently introduced therapeutic plasma exchange as a form of "longevity medicine".
Used for decades to treat autoimmune and inflammatory diseases, plasma exchange is being repurposed as a method to potentially remove mold, heavy metals, and even microplastics from the body. The old plasma is then replaced with nutrients that purportedly boost health, reduce inflammation, and possibly extend lifespan.
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Aesura Health clients pay 8,000 USD per session, or 28,000 USD for a four-session package of plasma exchange, aiming to slow down the aging process. Photo: NJ Advance |
Aesura Health clients pay 8,000 USD per session, or 28,000 USD for a four-session package of plasma exchange, aiming to slow down the aging process. Photo: NJ Advance
This attempt to slow aging isn't cheap, costing 8,000 USD per treatment or 28,000 USD for a package of 4. However, the therapy's effectiveness remains scientifically unproven.
"We can't make scientific claims, but we've seen some positive results," stated Dr. Jijoe Joseph, co-founder and owner of Aesura Health. The facility claims to be the first and only medical center in New Jersey offering plasma exchange for longevity purposes.
This is the latest trend in "biohacking." According to Merriam Webster, biohacking involves using various therapies and drugs to slow aging, prolong life, and reduce biological age. These methods often fall outside traditional scientific and medical research.
Biohackers frequently utilize expensive, cutting-edge technology to optimize their health. Entrepreneur Bryan Johnson used this process to inject his son's plasma into his body in his quest for immortality. Actor Orlando Bloom also believes this method improves his mental well-being and has invested in Next Health, a healthcare chain offering the service for 10,000 USD per session.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, while relatively new in the wellness space, plasma exchange has long been a common medical procedure for treating blood and neurological disorders.
During the procedure, blood is drawn from a vein into a specialized machine with a small centrifuge. This machine spins the blood at high speed to separate red blood cells from plasma. The plasma is collected in a separate bag, and the red blood cells are returned to the body along with a replacement fluid.
Some facilities transfuse patients with young plasma collected from young blood donors. However, Aesura Health replaces plasma with substances like albumin (a protein used to treat low blood volume), normal saline solution, and Plasma-Lyte to replenish electrolytes.
The old plasma, potentially containing abnormal antibodies or harmful substances causing inflammation, is typically treated as medical waste. Patients can also choose to freeze their own plasma for use in future procedures to treat chronic pain, joint problems, and even hair loss.
"The first time, you'll see this thick, cloudy plasma that looks a lot like pus. Then, through different filtration cycles, it starts to become clearer," described Dr. Nancy Nguyen, co-founder of Aesura Health.
Insurance companies generally consider plasma exchange a proven and medically necessary method for managing conditions such as Guillain-Barre syndrome, multiple sclerosis, myelopathy, and some cases of kidney transplant rejection.
"For diseases involving an overactive immune system, therapeutic plasma exchange can help patients reduce acute symptoms," explained hematologist-oncologist Dr. Ankit Shah, a professor of medicine at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School.
However, this service isn't covered by insurance for anti-aging purposes. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn't regulate a doctor's choice in providing treatments, using it for longevity is considered "off-label" use, though not illegal.
"There's no evidence that this method can prevent future diseases or stop the aging process," stated Dr. Shah.
Research on the anti-aging benefits of plasma exchange is still in its early stages. A small study of 42 people published in 5/2025 showed that participants significantly improved their biological age markers. However, further research is needed.
Whether plasma exchange can remove microplastics from the body also remains unproven. Moreover, while the procedure is relatively safe, "there are still some risks, and patients need to be aware of them," warned Dr. Shah.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, some patients may experience complications like hypothermia, low blood pressure, or, in more severe cases, infection.
Like other private medical centers, Aesura Health targets affluent clients who can afford to invest in medical procedures that may or may not be effective.
Dr. Joseph explained that one reason he and his colleague opened the center in New Jersey is the area's wealth. According to 2020 data, New Jersey had the highest per capita millionaire household rate in the U.S., with 9.76% of households possessing assets over 1 million USD.
But money isn't their sole purpose. Joseph and Nguyen recognize the growing societal interest in longevity and the distrust of doctors following the Covid-19 pandemic.
During treatment, patients are connected to heart monitors, blood pressure monitors, and oxygen saturation monitors so doctors can track vital signs.
Since starting the service in 4/2025, Joseph and Nguyen have had clients requesting weekly treatments. However, they are willing to refuse if a patient isn't eligible.
"This isn't about money. We are doctors first, then entrepreneurs," said Joseph.
The method isn't recommended for people with heart failure or a history of low blood pressure. It's also not a quick procedure. Removing 3 liters of plasma takes about 3 hours, so most patients bring headphones to watch movies or listen to music on their phones. Most patients tolerate the procedure well and can drive themselves home, awaiting their next treatment.
"Theoretically, conducting multiple sessions is meant to cleanse and replace all the plasma in the body," explained Nguyen.
Aesura Health conducts blood tests before and after the procedure to compare whether substances like mold and heavy metals are still present.
"This method isn't FDA-approved, so we don't make any promises about cures. However, we believe this is a viable option to try to remove some unwanted substances from your blood," stated Dr. Joseph.
Binh Minh (NJ Advance Media)
