Deepinder Goyal, the co-founder of Zomato and CEO of Eternal, is moving into a completely new field: longevity science. His team at Continue Research has proposed a fascinating idea that may change how we think about ageing. According to their hypothesis, gravity could be silently affecting how we age. This theory, dubbed the “gravity ageing” hypothesis, suggests that the constant pull of gravity reduces blood flow to the brain over a lifetime. While genetics, lifestyle, and metabolism have long been considered the main factors in ageing, Goyal’s team believes that this physical force has been largely overlooked.
The concept is simple but profound. When we stand or sit upright, gravity pulls blood downwards, which decreases cerebral blood flow by as much as 17%. Over decades, this reduced flow may gradually damage the hypothalamus and brainstem, two crucial regions that control hormones, metabolism, and inflammation. Since these areas are highly sensitive due to their small blood vessels, even slight reductions in blood flow over time could contribute to the natural ageing process. Continue Research emphasizes that gravity is not the only factor behind ageing but may be an important one that has been underestimated.
How Inversion Could Counteract Gravity
Goyal’s team has also explored ways to reverse the effects of gravity on the brain. Their research points to inversion — tilting the body so the head is lower than the heart — as a potential solution. Inversion comes in two forms. Active inversion includes yoga headstands and similar exercises, which can increase blood flow to the brain by around 13%. Passive inversion, achieved through commercial inversion tables, can boost blood flow by up to 20%. In a six-week pilot study, participants who engaged in just 10 minutes of passive inversion daily saw a 7% increase in brain blood flow, an effect the researchers equate to making the brain roughly ten years younger. Even simpler postures, such as the “legs-up-the-wall” yoga pose, have been shown to improve blood flow modestly and could offer a practical alternative for many people.
Bold Science Supported by Significant Funding
Continue Research is taking an open and collaborative approach. Deepinder Goyal has invested $25 million of his own money into the project, which is structured to encourage scientists around the world to test, replicate, or even challenge the gravity hypothesis. The team has deliberately created a “contra group” tasked with identifying potential flaws in the theory. This approach is unusual in science, where studies typically aim to confirm a hypothesis rather than disprove it. Goyal has repeatedly stated that skepticism and debate are essential to the scientific process and that strong criticism only strengthens the research.
Implications and Future Outlook
If proven, the gravity ageing hypothesis could have profound implications for human health. Everyday interventions like inversion or posture adjustments could become simple yet effective ways to maintain brain health. The research could also shift scientific focus toward understanding how physical forces, not just genetics and metabolism, influence ageing. However, experts caution that inversion techniques may not be safe for everyone. People with high blood pressure, glaucoma, or cardiovascular conditions could face risks if they attempt these exercises without guidance. Continue Research is clear that this is a hypothesis, not medical advice, and larger, peer-reviewed studies are needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Deepinder Goyal’s bold question — whether gravity, a force we live under every day, contributes to ageing — is sparking new conversations in the world of longevity science. Even if the hypothesis is proven partially right or wrong, the project is already encouraging innovative thinking and opening doors for new approaches to understanding how humans age.