Donating plasma is one of the lesser-known ways for people to earn extra money without doing much. Simply show up at a donation center, endure the prick of a needle, and collect some cash at the end.
It’s safe, quick, and simple.
It’s also quite lucrative. According to GoodRx, you can make donations ranging from $30 to $70. Given that you can donate up to twice a week, that equates to between $3,120 and $7,280 per year if you maximize your donations.
She is now warning others about the risks.
Iriani (@itsmeiriani) recently shared a TikTok about donating plasma. She claims she used to donate it to earn extra money.
But since her last donation, Iriani has been experiencing strange things. She claims that her hands and legs become numb at random.
“I went back to read some of the pamphlets and that’s actually one of the side effects,” she recounts. “So even though you may not see any side effects now, you may see them later on.”
“Be careful if you’re donating plasma for extra money,” she cautions in a TikTok video with 521,000 views as of Saturday.
What is plasma and who can donate?
Plasma is simply the liquid portion of your blood. According to GoodRx, it promotes blood circulation, regulates blood pressure, and supports cell function.
According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), blood plasma can be used to treat certain rare and chronic diseases.
To donate, you must be at least 18 years old, healthy, and have not had a tattoo or piercing in the previous four months, according to HHS. People who are taking certain medications or have a low iron count may be denied the opportunity to donate.
Donating plasma is similar to donating blood. However, it takes much longer—between 90 minutes and two hours versus less than an hour for blood.
The main difference is that you can sell your plasma. While it is not technically illegal to pay for blood donations, hospitals will not accept it, and there is no system in place to purchase blood.
So, if you want to make a quick buck from something your body naturally produces, plasma could be your best bet.
What about the risks?
Donating plasma carries similar risks to donating blood. The most common symptoms include dizziness, fatigue, bruising, and bleeding.
Iriani discovered that in very rare cases, there are more serious side effects.
She says on TikTok that she most recently donated plasma six months ago. Since then, she has had intermittent numbness in her hands and legs.
She claims she went back and looked at the pamphlets they gave her, and numbness is a possible side effect.
“So definitely keep that in mind next time you go donate,” she tells me.
The HHS advises those who experience more severe side effects to seek medical attention.
It’s unclear whether Iriani has done so. She did not respond to an email inquiry sent on Saturday.
Many of the comments on her post are from people who claim to have experienced various symptoms as a result of plasma donation. Several people reported experiencing numbness.
One person who identified as a phlebotomist provided their expert opinion. “They struck a nerve or a tendon! “That is the only explanation for the tingling and numbness,” they wrote.
Despite the numbness, Iriani says she will donate plasma again. She now wants to make others aware of the possible side effects.
So, while donating plasma can help you make ends meet, it’s important to understand the risks before inserting the needle into your vein.
