Thinking About Stem Cell Therapy? Read This First.
Every week, patients spend $20,000–$100,000+ at stem cell therapy clinics that overpromise and under-deliver.
The good news: Most bad experiences can be avoided in under 10 minutes with the right questions.
Here are the 10 biggest red flags we see. We recommend that if a clinic shows even 2 to 3 of these, walk away:
| # | Red Flag (Danger Sign) | Why It’s a Problem | What a Good Clinic Does Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Claims to treat 20+ unrelated diseases with the same injection | No single protocol works for Alzheimer’s, autism, and knee pain | Specializes in 1–3 conditions with published data |
| 2 | Guarantees results or “cure” in writing | Ethical doctors never guarantee outcomes | Explains realistic success rates with real data |
| 3 | Uses the phrase “FDA approved” for live stem cell injections (in the U.S.) | As of 2025, almost no autologous/live stem cell therapies are FDA-approved for orthopedic/neurological use | Clearly states if treatment is investigational or approved abroad |
| 4 | Won’t tell you the exact source and dose of cells | Lack of transparency = impossible to verify safety | Gives you a certificate of analysis (CoA) showing cell count & viability |
| 5 | Pressures you with “limited spots” or “price goes up next week” | High-pressure sales is a classic scam tactic | Lets you take time to research and consult your physician |
| 6 | No doctor or scientist on staff (only salespeople) | Treatments should be overseen by qualified MDs or PhDs | Publishes medical team bios with real credentials & publications |
| 7 | Refuses to provide patient references or published outcomes | Hiding data usually means the data isn’t good | Shares anonymized outcome reports or connects you with past patients |
| 8 | Charges $50,000+ but performs the procedure in a hotel room or strip-mall office | Proper cell processing requires a cleanroom or licensed lab | Uses an on-site or third-party GMP-compliant lab |
| 9 | Uses “stabilized exosomes” or “stem cell activators” from a vial on the shelf | Many of these products are unproven or inactive | Uses freshly processed, viable cells or clinically tested exosomes |
| 10 | Website is full of stock photos and celebrity testimonials with no sources | Classic marketing trick used by low-quality providers | Shows real clinic photos, real medical staff, and verifiable patient stories |
Download Your Free Printable Checklist
Take this with you to every consultation.
Green Flags – Clinics Worth Considering
Look for these instead:
- Published outcomes or registry data
- Medical director with peer-reviewed stem cell papers
- Transparent pricing and protocol documents
- Partnership with a university or registered trial
- Willingness to send lab reports before you fly
Still Not Sure About a Specific Clinic?
Drop the clinic name in the comments below or send us a message — our team will do our best to tell you what we know (for free).
Protect yourself. Ask the hard questions. Choose wisely.
— The Stem Cell Tracker Team