Question 1

How are stem cells collected?

Accepted Answer

Board-certified physicians in the Forever Labs network can collect mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from two primary sources: bone marrow and adipose (fat) tissue.

Bone Marrow Aspiration: Typically a quick, outpatient procedure using a local anesthetic to collect stem cells from the iliac crest, or hip area.

Adipose Tissue Extraction: Stem cells can be collected during an adipose procedure like liposuction, isolated from fat tissue, then stored as a vital resource. This method uses fat tissue that would otherwise be discarded.

We focus exclusively on the collection and cryopreservation of these autologous (your own) cells, ensuring you have biologically optimal samples ready for future regenerative therapies worldwide. Learn more about whether stem cell collection through bone marrow or adipose tissue is right for you on the Forever Labs blog.

Question 2

What is the best age to collect my stem cells?

Accepted Answer

The best age to collect and preserve your stem cells is now.

As we age, our stem cells age with us. In studies, older mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show markedly reduced expansion capacity compared with younger cells, with donor age associated with lower proliferation potential. Stem cells from older donors have also shown to exhibit a reduced ability to differentiate into tissues such as bone or cartilage.

We collect and preserve stem cells for individuals aged 18 and older. Learn why freezing your stem cells matters today.

Question 3

How many times do I need to have my stem cells collected?

Accepted Answer

Only once. Forever Labs thoughtfully stores your cells in multiple vials, for multiple possible treatments in the future. These cells can eventually be grown into large therapeutic doses, depending on your individual needs.

Only one stem cell collection is necessary for secure, long-term stem cell banking with Forever Labs. We store your mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in multiple vials, providing a vital resource for use worldwide. Our primary operating lab in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is ISO-accredited. In Spring 2026, we will also be able to expand cells at our cGMP-compliant expansion lab in Jupiter, Florida, for specialized therapeutic options available under state law in Florida and Wyoming. Florida’s SB 1768 (2025) remains an available pathway in that state, and Wyoming’s Stem Cell Freedom Act (SF 48) has passed and took effect July 1, 2026.

Question 4

What can my stem cells be used for in the future?

Accepted Answer

More than 1,500 registered MSC and MSC-derived clinical trials worldwide (ClinicalTrials.gov, accessed August 2026) are exploring the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in areas of longevity, regenerative medicine, aesthetics, and wellness. Diseases including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and autoimmune conditions are actively being researched in clinical trials involving stem cells and regenerative approaches, with no timeline implied for approval or availability. Trials are also exploring ways to use stem cells to address aging itself.

Question 5

How do I request my stem cells?

Accepted Answer

Your stem cells belong to you. Forever Labs is simply the custodian. With full chain-of-custody ownership, you can request your cells at any point along the way. They can be shipped to any laboratory, clinic, or other bio-repository in the U.S. or internationally.

Question 6

Can I donate my stem cells to research?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We believe that we all must play our part to advance medicine and technology. All members have the option to donate a micro-aliquot of their stem cells to help further active research initiatives in the U.S.

Question 7

What is the ideal age to bank my stem cells?

Accepted Answer

We collect and store stem cells for individuals aged 18 years and older. Ideally, the younger you are, the better. However, as the loss and decline of stem cells continues throughout one's life, and as this decline accelerates with age, storing at any age may provide benefits to your future self.

Question 8

What is the procedure like?

Accepted Answer

Bone Marrow Stem Cell Collection: Bone marrow stem cell collection is a minimally invasive out-patient procedure performed with local anesthetic. The entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. Most clients report a fleeting (5-10 second) pressure-like sensation upon withdrawal. The procedure is low-risk and does not leave scarring. Adipose Stem Cell Collection: Stem cells can also be isolated from fat tissue collected during a liposuction or adipose-based procedure. Ordinarily, that tissue would go to waste. With Forever Labs, the valuable stem cells are extracted from the tissue and stored for your future use. Each of us at Forever Labs has had the procedure. Feel free to reach out and talk to us about it.

Question 9

Are there any health concerns with a bone marrow draw?

Accepted Answer

As with any medical procedure, there is always some form of risk involved. However, when undergoing a bone marrow aspiration, that risk is minimal and complications are rare. If you have a pre-existing condition that causes you to have low platelet counts or a weakened immune system, it may be wise to seek further advice from a medical professional. In general, clients can expect moderate soreness at the site of aspiration as well as possible tenderness and bruising. Talk with your physician about a plan on how to mitigate these symptoms following your procedure.

Question 10

Does research link stem cells to a healthier and longer life?

Accepted Answer

More than 1,500 registered MSC and MSC-derived clinical trials worldwide (ClinicalTrials.gov, accessed August 2026) are studying mesenchymal stem cells, including for age-related disease, and many are currently in phases II and III. Furthermore, young stem cell treatments in animal models suggest that these cells have the potential to increase healthspan, and possibly even lifespan. Ever-increasing evidence shows that these benefits may be replicated in humans as well.

Question 11

How are stem cells safely frozen and then thawed for future use?

Accepted Answer

Preserving the viability of cells is of the upmost importance when cryogenically freezing samples for future use. To avoid damage to cells during this process a cryoprotectant, such as Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO) is added. When diluted in cell mixtures, DMSO prevents intracellular and extracellular ice crystal formation from occurring, therefore preventing cellular damage and increasing cell membrane integrity. The use of DMSO is a validated method that has been used for decades for cryopreservation in such practices as in vitro fertilization (IVF) and cord blood banking.

Question 12

How do I retrieve my stem cells?

Accepted Answer

You can request your stem cells by contacting Forever Labs directly, or by logging into your account. They can then be shipped to a laboratory, clinic, or other biorepository worldwide for $300.

Question 13

When will I be able to use the stem cells that I have banked?

Accepted Answer

Currently, more than 1,500 registered MSC and MSC-derived clinical trials worldwide (ClinicalTrials.gov, accessed August 2026) are investigating diseases such as heart disease, stroke, osteoarthritis, and dementia. But clinical trials take several years to complete. We don't want our cells to be that much older when we need them. You can use your stem cells in the US when such a therapy has been approved by the FDA.

Question 14

Can I use someone else's stem cells?

Accepted Answer

You are your own best source of stem cells. By using your own autologous cells, you mitigate the chance of your body eliciting an immune response. This can occur when your immune system identifies something as foreign, and attacks to eliminate the threat, as it does when you become infected with a virus. By using your own stem cells, the risk of such a response is diminished.

Question 15

Does Forever Labs perform stem cell therapy?

Accepted Answer

You can look at Forever Labs as your personal biobank. We provide our clients the ability to safely harvest their stem cells and cryogenically store them so that they remain biologically inert. That means the age you are when you have your procedure, is the age your cells will remain in storage. Forever Labs has always made it their mission to work within the good graces of the FDA, and since the FDA restricts the use of stem cells, Forever Labs does not provide stem cell therapies. However, since the FDA does acknowledge the therapeutic potential of stem cell therapies, you can trust that by banking your cells with Forever Labs, you will have biologically optimal samples at hand for the future.

Question 16

What happens if Forever Labs goes out of business? What safeguards are in place to ensure my cells will be preserved?

Accepted Answer

At Forever Labs we regard your samples as priority #1. With that being said, should there be an unforeseeable circumstance affecting the livelihood of the company, protective measures have been put in place and funds set aside to assure that your samples will remain securely stored at the biorepository until the day you request them.

Question 17

When will the cells be approved for use in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Clinical trials for various stem cell therapies are ongoing, with some in phases II and III. The timeline for FDA approval depends on the specific treatment and the results of these clinical trials.

Question 18

If my physician collects stem cells for a same-day treatment, can my banked stem cells be used instead?

Accepted Answer

Yes, your banked stem cells can potentially be used for physician-directed treatments, subject to regulatory requirements and your physician's treatment plan.

Question 19

What are induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSCs)?

Accepted Answer

iPSC stands for induced Pluripotent Stem Cell. It’s an ordinary adult cell (most commonly a skin fibroblast, though fat- and blood-derived cells can also be used) that has been “reprogrammed” back into an embryonic-like, pluripotent state. The breakthrough earned Shinya Yamanaka the 2012 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Because they’re pluripotent, iPSCs can become virtually any cell type in the body, including nerve, muscle, cardiac, or liver cells. That makes them a powerful foundation for patient-specific disease modeling, drug discovery, and next-generation regenerative medicine.

Question 20

Can your stem cells be stored and used for family members?

Accepted Answer

Stem cells work best when they are autologous (from your own body). While there may be some compatibility with close family members, your own stem cells provide the best match and lowest risk of immune rejection.

Question 21

Can I bank my iPSCs with Forever Labs?

Accepted Answer

Forever Labs doesn’t bank iPSCs directly. We collect and cryopreserve your own adult stem cells, or Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs), from bone marrow or adipose tissue. Banking now still positions you for an iPSC future: iPSCs are created by reprogramming a living adult cell, and the cells we preserve give you young, viable starting material to work from if you and your physician pursue an iPSC-based therapy down the road. The younger the cell when it’s banked, the better the starting point.

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