The Truth About Celebrity Longevity Treatments: Red Light, NAD+, Stem Cells and More
Cold plunges, red light beds, NAD+ drips, stem cell shots and peptide injections have moved from elite wellness clinics into mainstream conversation, fueled by celebrities who swear by them. But as longevity treatments multiply, so do the price tags — and the questions about whether the science actually backs the hype.
From Kim Kardashian’s red light therapy beds to Gwyneth Paltrow’s peptide routine, these treatments are marketed as ways to reduce inflammation, speed recovery and slow aging. Here’s a closer look at five of the most-talked-about options, what doctors say about them and whether they’re worth the cost.
Cold Plunges and Cryotherapy Chambers
Ice baths and cryotherapy have become some of the most visible longevity treatments, with Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and Gwyneth Paltrow all publicly embracing cold exposure. Many also reference the Wim Hof method, which pairs breathwork with cold immersion. Cryotherapy chambers expose the body to extreme sub-zero temperatures for two to three minutes, while cold plunges rely on ice water for similar effects on muscle recovery, inflammation and mood.
Styles has talked about daily outdoor cold-water swimming, including dips at Dublin’s Vico Baths. In a 2022 interview with Better Homes & Gardens, he said: “I feel like people who have discovered cold water swimming are just so happy for you that you’ve also found it. That’s the thing with a swim – it’s the one thing you never regret.”
Internal medicine physician Matthew Badgett of Cleveland Clinic told Yahoo Life there is evidence that “cryotherapy helps with mood,” and pointed to studies suggesting it may help alleviate depression symptoms. But he cautioned that evidence is thin for long-term gains in muscle performance or endurance, and that immediate post-workout cryotherapy may interfere with recovery: “You need inflammation to help muscle repair and regrow — that’s part of the process.”
Red Light Therapy Beds
Red light therapy is one of the most accessible celebrity-approved longevity treatments, embraced by Salma Hayek, Kim Kardashian, Jessica Alba and Vanessa Hudgens. Also called photobiomodulation, it uses red and near-infrared light between 600 and 850 nanometers to penetrate skin at the cellular level. Devices are marketed to stimulate collagen, reduce inflammation, improve wound healing, support hair growth and trigger endorphin release.
Cosmetic surgeon Sheina Bawa told Fortune: “This light works directly on the mitochondria, activating many enzymes that allow for cell turnover, cell repair, and inflammation reduction.”
Board-certified physiatrist Benjamin Shekhtman said the benefits trace back to NASA research in the 1990s, and that the treatment “has accumulated a meaningful clinical evidence base across sports medicine, dermatology, and rehabilitation.” Among the treatments on this list, red light therapy has one of the stronger evidence bases and is generally considered lower risk.
For more information: Why Longevity Clinics Charging Up to $150,000 a Year Are Drawing Patients Across the US
NAD+ IV Drips
NAD+ infusion therapy has become a major Hollywood longevity trend, with Hailey Bieber and a growing roster of wellness influencers touting it as an anti-aging tool. NAD+, or nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, is a coenzyme involved in energy metabolism, DNA repair and stress response. Declining NAD+ levels have been linked to aging-related diseases, which is part of why the treatment has captured so much attention.
One IV session can cost between $200 and $1,500, with some clinics recommending weekly or monthly treatments. Individual sessions can take up to four hours. But human research is limited, studies are often small, and neither NAD+ supplements nor IV drips are FDA-approved for anti-aging claims.
Sumeet Deogan, PharmD, of MedStar Georgetown University Hospital, told Verywell: “I’m not gonna yuck anyone’s yum when it comes to what makes you feel good. But I don’t think there’s much evidence to support it.” Richina Bicette-McCain, MD, of Baylor College of Medicine added: “[T]here is no guarantee that the drug is safe nor is there any certainty that the drug will have whatever effect that is being advertised.”
Stem Cell Injections
Stem cell injections are among the most controversial longevity treatments, despite being used by athletes including Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and Peyton Manning. The average cost runs $3,000 to $7,000 per joint, and larger treatment packages can range from $15,000 to more than $50,000. The celebrity association has helped fuel demand, but experts say the science has not caught up to the marketing.
Dr. James Rickert, president of the Society for Patient Centered Orthopedics, told KFF Health News: “It sends a signal to all the fans out there that stem cells have more value than they really do. It’s extremely good PR for the people selling this kind of thing. But there’s no question that this is an unproven treatment.”
Paul Knoepfler, professor at the University of California, Davis, said: “There’s really not much evidence that it’s going to help him, other than as a psychological boost or as a placebo effect.” For now, stem cell injections remain expensive and largely unproven for anti-aging purposes.
Peptide Injections
Peptides are the newest injectable in the longevity space, promoted for muscle growth, healing, skin health and anti-aging. They are short chains of amino acids the body naturally produces to regulate hormones, metabolism and cellular signaling. Some peptides, like insulin, have long-standing medical uses, and the rise of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs has helped push peptide therapy further into mainstream wellness routines.
Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow have both discussed peptide injections as part of their anti-aging routines. Paltrow told Elle: “Injectable B12 is one of my biggest wellness tools; same with NAD+ and peptides.”
Dr. Sabine Donnai, founder of Viavi clinic in London, told The Times: “Where peptides are approved, it’s usually for specific diseases, not for extending lifespan, and registered medical doctors cannot legally prescribe the vast majority of peptides.” She added: “They are being overused and over-promised, and the product quality is a massive concern to medical professionals.”
The Bottom Line on Celebrity Longevity Trends
The treatments getting the loudest celebrity endorsements are not always the ones with the strongest science. Red light therapy and cold exposure have meaningful research behind them, while NAD+ drips, stem cell injections and peptide therapy remain largely unproven for anti-aging — and can come with steep costs and quality concerns. For consumers weighing thousands of dollars in treatments, the gap between marketing and medical evidence is worth taking seriously.
Donnai said the strongest longevity interventions remain basic lifestyle factors: “Improving your metabolic health, reducing cardiovascular risk, better sleep, stronger muscles and reducing inflammation through diet and exercise.”
This article was created by content specialists using various tools, including AI.
