Deepinder Goyal, the founder of Zomato and the longevity-focused initiative Eternal, has set the internet abuzz with a series of thought-provoking posts on social media platform X. He has put forward what he describes as a "scientific yet unconventional" hypothesis proposing that gravity might be a direct, fundamental contributor to the human ageing process.
The Core of the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis
Introducing his idea, Goyal clarified that he was sharing this not in his capacity as a CEO, but as a curious individual. He succinctly summarized his theory by stating, "Newton gave us a word for it. Einstein said it bends spacetime. I am saying gravity shortens lifespan." This bold statement forms the bedrock of his new perspective on why we age.
In subsequent posts, Goyal elaborated on his reasoning, which connects three well-established scientific concepts. The first is the slight reduction in blood flow to the brain caused by our upright posture. The second is the known sensitivity of neurons in the hypothalamus and brainstem to even minor drops in circulation. The third is the critical role these very brain regions play in regulating the body's ageing mechanisms.
"The new part is connecting these 3 known facts," Goyal wrote, presenting his idea as a single, testable mechanism for ageing. He added that his belief in this concept, which bridges biology, physics, and evolution, has only been strengthened by initial scientific scrutiny.
Living Better at One G: The Proposed Solution
Goyal was quick to point out that the solution is not to escape Earth's gravity. Instead, he advocates for learning to mitigate its negative effects. "We don't have to escape gravity to counteract the negative effects it has on us… We just have to learn how to live longer and better at one G," he explained. A key part of this approach involves paying greater attention to what he terms "Brain Flow," an important but often overlooked biomarker of ageing.
As a potential intervention, Goyal highlighted the promising benefits of inversion practices. He noted that while inversions are already popular for lymphatic drainage, his team's early findings suggest they are also "the most effective way to counteract the negative effects of gravity on our brains."
He shared compelling data from initial observations: six weeks of using inversion tables for over ten minutes daily led to a baseline increase of seven percent in daily average Brain Flow. According to Goyal, this improvement could "possibly nullify ten years of loss." He also noted that passive inversions yielded stronger results than active ones but included a crucial disclaimer urging individuals to consult a doctor before attempting such practices.
Call for Empirical Proof and Internet's Reaction
Goyal has called for rigorous scientific validation of his hypothesis. He mentioned that "eminent scientists from around the world have shown their support" and some even called the idea "groundbreaking for human longevity." However, he emphasized that this is not enough. "It's time for empirical proof," he asserted, confirming that his research arm, Continue Research, is now collaborating with scientists to formally test and challenge the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis.
The thread on X has garnered massive attention, surpassing four million views and sparking a wide spectrum of reactions. Users expressed everything from surprise and curiosity to amusement and skepticism. One user joked, "Beating gravitational ageing by lying in bed all day," capturing the mix of intrigue and doubt that has characterized the public response to this unconventional proposition.
