Stem cell therapy, answered honestly

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells that can be expanded in a laboratory and administered by injection or intravenous infusion as part of a regenerative protocol. Research indicates they act mainly through paracrine signalling — releasing factors that modulate inflammation and support the local tissue environment — rather than by replacing tissue directly, which is why some scientists call them "medicinal signalling cells." They are studied across orthopaedic, respiratory, and immune-related conditions; the evidence base is still developing, and this information is educational rather than a treatment recommendation.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) concentrates growth factors from your own blood to signal your body’s existing repair processes, while MSC therapy uses mesenchymal stem cells that additionally modulate inflammation and secrete regenerative factors. They are different approaches studied for overlapping conditions, and PRP is typically lower-cost but may need repeating; which, if either, is appropriate is a clinical decision made by a physician.

Exosomes are tiny vesicles (roughly 30–150 nanometres) that cells release to carry signalling cargo such as microRNAs and proteins. In Sterling’s Discovery protocol, mesenchymal-stem-cell-derived exosomes are given as a Day 1 preparation therapy, intended to help reduce inflammation and prime tissues before the main protocol. Their therapeutic role is still being researched, and Sterling makes no efficacy claim.

NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme central to cellular energy and metabolism whose levels tend to decline with age. Within the Discovery Experience it is delivered intravenously as a Day 1 preparation therapy, intended to support cellular readiness before the main protocol. It is offered as a wellness preparation, not a treatment for any specific disease.

Our Sterling-certified partner clinic uses fresh, high-viability cells rather than frozen cells. Every guest receives a Certificate of Analysis documenting their cell count, viability, and sterility results.

Depending on the condition, cells are delivered by image-guided injection into a joint or spine, or by intravenous infusion over approximately two hours. All procedures are performed by licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic.

Sterling’s entry program, the Discovery Experience, is $5,999 and includes a $5,000 credit toward any extended program chosen on the same trip — so the net cost of Discovery is $999 if you upgrade. Extended-program costs (such as Essential, Advanced, or Transformation) are determined after your on-site bloodwork and physician assessment, because the recommended approach is personalised, and are shared in context rather than published in advance.

The right program depends on what the partner-clinic physicians recommend after reviewing your bloodwork on-site, so a fixed public price list would be misleading. Discovery pricing is fully transparent ($5,999 with a $5,000 credit); extended-program pricing is shared once your personalised recommendation is known.

Discovery includes private airport transfers, 7 nights at a 5-star luxury hotel, daily onsen spa access, a comprehensive bloodwork panel, preparation IV therapies (Exosome and NAD+), a partner-clinic physician consultation and personalised assessment, a laboratory tour, a dedicated Sterling coordinator, portal access, and 12 months of follow-up support — plus a $5,000 credit toward any extended program.

If you choose to upgrade to an extended program on the same trip, $5,000 from your Discovery payment is applied as a credit toward it. The credit is same-trip only and is applied to the extended program’s cost.

Regenerative stem cell therapies are generally not covered by US health insurance, as they are not FDA-approved for the conditions discussed. Most guests treat the program as an out-of-pocket wellness investment; check directly with your insurer for your specific policy.

Treatment is delivered by independently licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic, which must meet Sterling’s vetting and accreditation standards. As with any medical procedure there are risks; these are discussed with you directly by the partner-clinic physicians, who obtain your informed consent on-site.

No. The stem cell therapies described are not FDA-approved in the United States for the conditions discussed, and the FDA has not evaluated them. They are delivered abroad by licensed physicians, and individual results vary.

No. Sterling Longevity is a wellness-travel concierge, not a medical provider. We vet clinics, coordinate the journey, and provide education and support; the medical treatment is delivered by independently licensed physicians at our Sterling-certified partner clinic, with whom you have a direct medical relationship.

Sterling’s educational content is written and reviewed by the Sterling Research Team against primary medical research. You can read how care and content are governed on our clinical governance page.

In a 2012 systematic review of 36 clinical trials (Lalu et al., "SafeCell"), no serious adverse events were attributed to mesenchymal stem cells, and a transient, self-limiting fever was the most commonly reported effect. Even so, every medical procedure carries risk, and the specific risks for your situation are explained by the partner-clinic physicians before you provide informed consent. This describes a study’s findings, not a guarantee of safety or outcome; individual results vary.