When you need money fast, you have probably considered selling things like old electronics or pawning items like jewelry but have you ever considered selling plasma? Did you even know you could make money selling plasma? You can, and we’ll show you can make $400 a month selling plasma. Plus, free cookies!

What is Plasma?

Plasma is the transparent, slightly yellow portion of our blood that is left after red and white blood cells, platelets and other components are separated out. Plasma makes up about 55% of our blood and contains water, salt, enzymes, antibodies, and other proteins.

Plasma is used to produce therapies that help treat people suffering from severe health conditions, including immunodeficiency hemophilia, primary immune deficiency disorders, and genetic emphysema.

Who is Eligible for Selling Plasma?

There are requirements when it comes to selling plasma, and each company will have its own set, but generally, you must be between the ages of 18 and 69, in good overall health, and weigh at least 110 pounds. Those interested in selling plasma will be required to pass a medical exam, provide a full medical history, test negative for transmittable viruses including hepatitis and HIV, and not have acquired a new piercing or tattoo in the previous 12 months.

Potential sellers will need to bring a valid form of picture identification like a driver’s license or passport, your Social Security card, and proof of current address like your license or a recent utility bill.

How Much Can You Make Selling Plasma?

The amount of money you can earn per plasma donation ranges from $20 to $50. The amount you’re paid depends on the amount of plasma you’re able to donate, which depends on your weight. The more you weigh, the more you can give.

The FDA has determined the weight ranges:

• 110-149 pounds
• 150-174 pounds
• 175-400 pounds

So if you weigh 175 pounds or more and donate twice a week, you could make $400 a month! Most plasma centers don’t pay in cash but with a debit card.

Because the process of selling plasma takes up to two hours and while not painful, doesn’t exactly tickle either, not everyone is jumping at the chance. But plasma is an essential substance in healthcare and not something that can be made in a lab. In order to entice potential sellers, some plasma centers will offer coupons. Instead of saving money, which is how most coupons work, the coupons offered by plasma centers will give you a few extra dollars on your donation.

Google the name of the center you’re going to sell your plasma to followed by the word “coupon” and see if you can find one. CSL Plasma is offering a $6 bonus coupon for new donors. Some centers provide a bonus for frequent donors and for referring new clients. You may be paid more for your first appointment than follow-ups as the first appointment takes about 30 minutes longer.

The Process

If you’ve ever donated blood, selling plasma is not that different. A needle is inserted into a vein in your arm, and the plasma is collected through a process called plasmapheresis. The process takes up to an hour. It’s your blood that is collected, and the plasma is separated. The remaining liquid is returned to your body with a sterile saline solution which helps the body replace the plasma that’s been removed.

The first visit takes about two hours and follow up visits take about 90 minutes. While your blood is being removed, you can read a book or watch something on your phone (with headphones) to pass the time.

Does the process of selling plasma hurt? Not particularly. I’m sure everyone has had their blood drawn for lab work at one time or another. Selling plasma doesn’t really feel any different than that. You can lessen even the minor discomfort you’ll feel by making sure you’re well-hydrated before your appointment (so your veins are easier to find and penetrate), squeeze something like a stress ball (to increase venous outflow which makes the process faster), and from my own experience of having blood drawn, don’t look at the needle in your arm or the bag the blood is being collected in. I don’t mind having my blood drawn, but I don’t like looking at it in the test tubes, blerhg!

Dangers and Side Effects of Selling Plasma

Selling plasma isn’t dangerous, but there can be some relatively minor side effects. Because plasma is mostly water, you may have mild dehydration. Plasma contains a lot of nutrients and salts, and so when you lose it during the process, it can cause an electrolyte imbalance which can result in dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and fainting. Drinking plenty of water will prevent or alleviate most of these symptoms.

You may feel hungry after selling plasma. That’s because your body is working hard to replace the lost plasma. To help with the hunger and to combat some of the other possible side effects like dizziness and lightheadedness, plasma centers offer clients little snacks like free cookies and cups of juice. You are not required to fast before selling plasma as you are when having blood drawn for certain lab tests. In fact, eating a good meal that includes protein a few hours before your appointment is recommended. Eating can head off some of the side effects of selling plasma.

Some people experience mild bruising where the needle was inserted, but the bruise is usually small and fades in a few days. A citrate reaction is possible but not common when selling plasma. Citrate is used as an anticoagulant to prevent blood from clotting during the collection process. Those who have a reaction often feel tingling in their fingers or around their mouth and nose. A citrate reaction is severe but extremely rare.

Unlike some medical procedures, selling plasma doesn’t require that you have someone accompany you and drive you home. Of course, if you do feel dizzy or lightheaded, you should wait until the feeling subsides before getting behind the wheel.

How Often Can You Sell Plasma?

The FDA (Food and Drug Administration) allows people to donate twice a week with at least 48 hours between donations.

Where To Sell Plasma

There are plasma centers all over the country. CSL Plasma has centers in 38 states. DonatingPlasma.org allows you to search for a center near you by zip code. I put in my New Orleans zip code and found two centers within 25 miles of me and a third when I Googled “Sell plasma near me.” And because one of my local centers is CSL Plasma, I found the coupon for an additional $6 for new first time clients.

Many plasma centers offer extended and weekend hours. The CSL Plasma center near me is open Monday-Friday 7 am-7 pm and Saturday-Sunday 7 am-5 pm which makes it convenient for those who work a typical 9-5 job.

Some plasma centers can have long wait times. The center is paying for your plasma, but they’re paying for your time too, so you want to get the most money for your time. When shopping for a center, ask about average wait times and when the least busy times and days are and try to time your visits so you can get in and out as quickly as possible.

Make Some Money, Do Some Good

If you sell your bike on Nextdoor or sell some of your clothes on eBay, it’s a one-time thing. You sold them, and now they’re gone. But you’ll never run out of plasma; you can sell it twice a week for as long as you like or need to as long as you meet the requirements.

Need some money for an unexpected emergency expense? You can make money selling plasma. Trying to save up for a vacation? You can sell some plasma. And potentially make $10-$33 per hour doing so. $10 an hour is more than minimum wage in some places.

Everything isn’t about money though, and each time you sell your plasma, you’re improving someone’s health, you’re potentially saving someone’s life. There aren’t many side hustles you can say that about!