Overview
- The hypothesis argues that lifelong gravitational effects reduce cerebral blood flow, potentially stressing hypothalamus and brainstem regions tied to systemic ageing.
- Continue Research cites literature that upright posture can lower brain blood flow by up to 17% and that average cerebral perfusion declines about 0.7% per year across adulthood.
- Early, unvalidated measurements from a custom proxy device are reported to show stronger boosts from passive inversions than active yoga postures and a six‑week routine linked to a 7% rise in average daily brain flow.
- Clinicians have publicly cautioned against inversions, with detailed critiques highlighting cerebral autoregulation, potential harm for at‑risk groups, and spaceflight data showing headward fluid shifts can cause pathology.
- Goyal says materials addressing common criticisms have been released, collaboration with multiple teams is underway to design tests, and the effort follows a recently announced $25 million fund for open‑science longevity research.