The Risks and Side Effects of Donating Plasma - Is Donating Plasma Safe?

I AM NOT A MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL OR EXPERT. I encourage you to do your own research. I am not responsible for any negative plasma donation experiences.

Is donating plasma safe? In this video I go over the risks and possible side effects associated with plasma donation or plasmapheresis. I'm sure this video isn't comprehensive! If I missed anything, please let me know in the comments! Below are the links to the websites and documents I referenced in this video.

Earn $900 from donating plasma at BioLife! 👇👇👇

🩸 Plasma donor essentials:

📷 My camera equipment:

🖥️ My computer setup:

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1:34 - Short-term side effects
3:35 - Highest risk for side effects
4:27 - Citrate reaction
7:00 - Long-term side effects
8:32 - Weakened immune system
10:09 - Document listing possible side effects
10:50 - Old research article on long-term side effects
11:34 - Newer research article on side effects

Thanks for watching! Please comment, like, share, and SUBSCRIBE.

[llianneolivoreyesmusic]

I pray for everyone who needs money right now that good things come into our lives. Thank you Jesus

[ronandyolandahaaning]

I'm really surprised by so many people having problems donating. I'm in my early 60s and I've been donating for two and a half years. I've really had no issues at all due to donating plasma except for at the very beginning I would be slightly more fatigued later that day and that only lasted a few hours. However, For the past two years I haven't been tired or anything after each donation. The compensation is also unbelievable. I make over $6, 000 a year just from donating and that has helped me pay for so many bills as well as other things. Honestly I would say that donating plasma has been a godsend.

[AllSwartzOfAdventure]

I’m nearing my 200th donation and have enjoyed the side hustle. I’m a very active individual with a healthy diet and have NOT noticed any symptoms such as fatigue, muscle spasms, or a decrease in tolerance for donating. I’d definitely motivates me to maintain a healthier lifestyle. Thanks for the video! -N

[Liberateddock]

You’re the only good YouTuber that talks about plasma donation. Thank you for the info!

[josecastro]

In the past 2 years I’ve donated plasma 84 times and at first it was uncomfortable mostly because i had a really small vein and at times it felt like the needle was touching something and stopping the process, I’ve actually been banned for 57 days due to hematoma starting to develop. Lost a good bit of blood. This happened at around my 30th donation. During that time period I’ve actually started to work out (still do to this day primarily to keep my veins as open as possible). I ended up back at the plasma center after 2 full months. Have not had any issues since. I do also get the usual tiredness after donating which is why I always donate in the evening about an hour or two before CSL closes. Oh and I’ve also donated with an empty stomach a BUNCH of times. Everything still goes smoothly. But of course I make sure to drink lots of water beforehand. Donating plasma is satisfying and if your body permits, it’s a win win. For you, and the lives you are saving.

[madmax]

First of all I will like to thank you for being such a caring person and donating your plasma to those who are in need.I used to donate platelets for a number of years and stopped due to personal health issues.Yesterday I made my first plasma/platelet donation after 10yrs and had no adverse reactions.I will also like to thank you for the info you put out in this video.It was very informative.I am thinking of doing it only twice a month until further studies can give more accurate info on demineralization of the bones and the formation of cataracts which is of great concern to me as I will be 60yrs old in October.God bless you.

[timterrell]

Donated plasma for my first time yesterday. I was 1/4 of the way done and they stopped my machine because I was pale and dripping sweat. I was fighting to stay conscious but was willing to finish the donation. I was hydrated. They said my blood pressure dropped dangerously low.

[dizzylizzy]

Thank you Zach! Very good and intellectual presentation. If I had to listen to you give an hour long speech it would be easy and enjoyable. I am an older woman considering plasma donation and I needed more info about it. You covered everything and answered all of my questions. I watched several videos about this and yours was "hands down" the best one! 💯💯💯👍👍👍🌟🌟🌟☀️☀️☀️💥💥💥

[alinarubio]

I've been donating consistently close to 2 years and have not had major issues. I do use an iron supplement as well as eating iron filled foods. I feel great after donating. Met a donor who has donenit 12 years and says there have been no issues for them. Just wanted to add my 2 cents.

[vasouthrichmond]

I have been donating on and off since December 2020. Did my donation this week on Monday. I never got no serious side effects yet, but sometimes I feel tired afterward. Normally, drink plenty of water the day before and morning before I go to donate. Eat plenty of protein and take vitamins.

[jaeljade]

I've always wondered if my time donating caused my illness. I got very sick years ago and no one could figure out what happened to me. At the time I never even thought about telling my doctor I was donating.

[debijean]

Excellent, presentation, thank you. I am considering donating plasma for the first time and am a bit apprehensive. You addressed many of the concerns I have.

[MelenaBrown]

Hi Zach, I just came across your video. I am so thankful that I did because I've been considering donating plasma for a little while now. Your video has answered many questions and given me so much information. I'll be checking back for more. Thank you for your research and time!!!🙏🏾

[Mikemathews]

I plan on donating for the next 45 years so this was good to know!

[kathytillman]

I am 74 I gave for the first time July 21st...I did everything I was supposed to prior to going..ate right...hydrated a gallon and half day and 1/2 prior to donation...I was so happy that CSL would accept my age so that I could help people with my plasma. I of course read all materials, watched video, took test, and my vitals. Saw the nurse and went forward.... 3 out of 😢 6 people in our little cove area had irregular machine activity. The man in the corners vein started spuing out blood...the lady and I sitting side by side s machines stopped...we were told our blood was clotting and machine could not recycle our blood back into our bodies... So were told to drink their bottle of Gatorade and after we finished were told to go on home. The lady next to me called out twice that she wasn't feeling well.the tech said they were short handed and some were leaving at 5... And we were deferred for 56 days from coming back... deferred often means your blood is low on red blood cells so I've researched I slowly walked to car ....decided I'd feel ok if ate so made my way to a drive thru and ate a cheeseburger and hydrated with more water... Got on interstate feeling capable and was in commuter traffic ... Up the interstate I was doing fine when suddenly felt violently Iill and knew I was going down..screamed help me to Jesus and knew nothing until I woke up in the woods having hit a tree and having vomitted all over myself...woke up only because a man was knocking on the window... My car is totaled...I have very little injury .. sore muscles and alot of body pain ... But I know this donation caused this...I've never blacked out in my life and have a perfect driving record but now have a totalled car and bills and a deep feeling that others have died in car wrecks from this and did not live to tell the story so have called their owners in Boca Raton, Fla and made a full statement of complaint... Whom have ignored me...yet a worker at CSL called and harassed me saying I must not have hydrated or eaten right etc ..I am very heartbroken . Kathy 6789861761

[HMPRODIGY]

I went today considering the options but got spooked when possible side effects could include temporary or permanent kidney damage... and much more that was stated in the video

I legit almost cried thinking of the fact im risking my health for a couple hundred bucks that atm i desperately need.

Your health is everything so im not sure about going through it anymore

[Carrmistr]

Great video Zach! I randomly found your video donating today (roughly my 20th time donating) and I was always curious about the long-term effects when donating plasma. I am a healthy guy that works out around 5-6 days a week while maintaining a healthy diet (4-5 meals a day) with higher protein and fats. I haven't noticed any side effects so far with my lifting and cardio is still decent. I would say if you are *like you pointed out in your video* eating healthy, drinking plenty of fluids (water) you SHOULD be fine. **not an medical expert**. I would love to see a study done with more information on the long-term effects for someone who has donated 8 times a months for a year. Overall, excellent video!!!

[mikeg]

I was considering it, then having a bad feeling about it, and now you've helped me to decide not to. It's easy for me to believe there are undesirable effects, long and short term. I have less confidence in our medical industry truth. Thank you.

[rkara]

I’m on my 25th donation and I only had the usual/mild reactions such as fatigue, bruising and getting cold at the end. Sometimes my stomach would hurt but it was very weak.
Only one time did they blow the vein but they quickly took care of it and still gave me money for the visit. However, today I had an intense reaction for the very first time. It was right before the machines last draw. I was suddenly really hot, my stomach pains were becoming intense and it felt like my stomach was twisting and being squeezed. Then I felt myself getting incredibly weak and my vision was growing dark. I tried to fight it off but then I could feel myself slipping into unconsciousness so I shakily raised my hand. One of the phlebotomist looked over and saw me sweating buckets and called two others over and they immediately fanned me, put two ice packs on me, elevated my feet further, gave me Gatorade, and started giving some blood back. I remember vaguely them asking some questions which I tried to answer but my mouth wouldn’t move properly. I was about 3 seconds from passing out but after a minute of the machine giving blood back my vision cleared up, my stomach pains eased a little, I cooled down, and I could focus. I finished my last draw with a lot of stomach pain but I wasn’t close to passing out so I ended up finishing. I will still go back. It was my fault since I hadn’t properly hydrated myself beforehand. If you go, eat something with alot of nutrients, drink alot of water, don’t drink coffee or smoke or do anything else that will raise your pulse, and bring a jacket (you’ll get cold at the end)

[josilainebrandao]

Hi Zach Johnson. Thanks for your time to explain us the possible side effects. I'm first time plasma donor and I was concerned what could happen in the long run.