4 ms·

So, what exactly is the theory here? They are transfusing plasma, which, as far as I understand, is blood without all the various cells in it. So basically wate

So, what exactly is the theory here? They are transfusing plasma, which, as far as I understand, is blood without all the various cells in it. So basically water with some elements and whatever proteins are too small to separate in the centrifuge. So either the specific mixture of stuff in "young blood" is better, or they mean the specific molecules are healthier because of their origin. The latter is homeopathy style chemistry, and the former seems mostly like a contrived way of taking hormonal supplements.

devereaux 8y ago
Plasma contains many growth factors, most of which are unknown. Something similar exists: PRP injections, which may be quackery, but seem to attract a lot of interest especially in sport medicine. However, PRP is autologous. The only real risk are bacterial infection because of breaching the skin. With Ambrosia, we are talking about repeated transfusions. Would you share needles with a stranger, even after reading their serologic status is clean, and some kind of a vetting process? Personally, I wouldn't, but I am certainly very grateful to all the volunteers engaging in this trial: if there is something of interest, I will learn from their experience. If not, they will have taken the risk for me. In both cases, I benefit.
mikkom 8y ago
I think the premise is the mouse studies made on the subject, for example: "Young Blood Rejuvenates the Aging Brain" > Previous studies have demonstrated that instilling young blood into an old rodent can rejuvenate peripheral tissues, such as liver and muscle, and can stimulate the birth of new nerve cells in the brain. The authors show that this method can also counteract age-related declines in learning and memory by activating specific signaling pathways in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning [..] > These experiments raise the fascinating possibility that transfusion of blood or specific bloodborne factors from young humans might rejuvenate the aged human brain. http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/238/238ec95 http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/238/238ec95
- russdill 8y ago
  In these studies they connected the circulatory systems of the two mice together for prolonged periods of time.

devereaux 8y ago

Plasma contains many growth factors, most of which are unknown. Something similar exists: PRP injections, which may be quackery, but seem to attract a lot of interest especially in sport medicine. However, PRP is autologous. The only real risk are bacterial infection because of breaching the skin. With Ambrosia, we are talking about repeated transfusions. Would you share needles with a stranger, even after reading their serologic status is clean, and some kind of a vetting process? Personally, I wouldn't, but I am certainly very grateful to all the volunteers engaging in this trial: if there is something of interest, I will learn from their experience. If not, they will have taken the risk for me. In both cases, I benefit.

mikkom 8y ago

I think the premise is the mouse studies made on the subject, for example: "Young Blood Rejuvenates the Aging Brain" > Previous studies have demonstrated that instilling young blood into an old rodent can rejuvenate peripheral tissues, such as liver and muscle, and can stimulate the birth of new nerve cells in the brain. The authors show that this method can also counteract age-related declines in learning and memory by activating specific signaling pathways in the hippocampus, a region of the brain involved in learning [..] > These experiments raise the fascinating possibility that transfusion of blood or specific bloodborne factors from young humans might rejuvenate the aged human brain. http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/238/238ec95 http://stm.sciencemag.org/content/6/238/238ec95

russdill 8y ago
In these studies they connected the circulatory systems of the two mice together for prolonged periods of time.