Explore every episode of the podcast The Gravity Doctors

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	Title	Pub. Date	Duration
	Beyond the Bed: How Getting Up is the Path to Quicker Recovery	08 Jun 2026	00:16:56
In this episode, we dive into the surprising science of "gravity intolerance" and why lying in bed might be one of the worst things you can do for your recovery. Whether you're dealing with a common flu, recovering from major surgery, or managing a long-term illness, the simple act of gettingvertical can be a "physics-fighting engine" for your body and mind. We explore NASA’s "Pillow-naut" studies, the link between inactivity and depression, and how hospitals are using "Art Tours" and gamification to get patients back on their feet. Key Takeaways: The Danger of Deconditioning: Staying flat for too long leads to "gravity intolerance," affecting everything from your cardiovascular system to your gut health (Ileus). The NASA Lesson: Lessons from simulated space environments show that lying down causes fluid shifts that lead to headaches, vision issues, and a "shock to the system" when finally standing up. The 1,000 Step Rule: Patients who can manage just 1,000 steps the day after surgery are significantly more likely to be discharged faster. MentalGravity: Physical inactivity and depression aren't just cause-and-effect; they are a feedback loop. Standing up is a literal and metaphorical way to fight mental "pull". Timestamps: 00:00 – The "Hit by a Bus" Feeling: Personal memories of COVID and the exhaustion of illness. 01:22 – The Hospital Dilemma: Why we put our sickest patients in bed and the risks of being "risk-averse". 02:15 – What Happens to Your Body When You Stay Flat: Gut slowing (Ileus), skin breakdown, and cardiovascular deconditioning. 03:00 – Lessons from NASA: The "Pillow-naut" studies and what happens when gravity stops pulling blood to your ankles. 04:30 – The Shock of Getting Vertical: Why the first walk after a long illness feels like the Earth is a magnet. 05:30 – Fighting for Your Life: The story of Harman Clark and the mindset shift required for recovery. 07:30 – Gamifying Recovery: Using Fitbits and "Art Tours" at Cedars-Sinai to encourage patient movement. 09:40 – Moving Beyond "Standing Orders": The importance of walking vs. just sitting in a chair. 11:15 – Being an Active Participant: Why you shouldn't wait for recovery to happen—you have to give it a nudge. 12:30 – The Connection to Mental Health: How inactivity heightens the risk of depression and helplessness. 14:30 – "Mental Gravity": A new way to look at the feedback loop between the mind and body. 16:00 – Final Thoughts: Next time you feel down, think about standing up. Resources The Gravity Doctors: ⁠https://thegravitydoctors.com⁠ Dr. Brennan Spiegel: ⁠https://brennanspiegelmd.com⁠ Dr. Lachlan Kent: ⁠https://lachlankent.au⁠ Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Artemis: Transcending gravity as human flourishing	23 Apr 2026	00:36:12
In this episode, Dr. Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr. Lachlan Kent(cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) explore the physical, psychological, and existential implications of humanity's return to the moon. They examine how the Artemis mission acts as a "Global Unifier," shifting the narrative from territorial conflict to a collective human achievement. Broadcasting as a "crew of two," they reflect on the transition from the stoic, emotionally restrained era of Apollo to the joyful, diverse, and deeply "human" experience of modern space exploration. They connect the physics of "untethering"from Earth to the metaphysics of "mental gravity," arguing that space travel is the ultimate expression of humanity's anti-gravity mission. One Giant Leap for Humanity: The ArtemisPerspective A Global Unifier: A 21st-century mission that transcends national borders, bringing the world together to witness one of humanity's greatest achievements. The Physics of Fragility: An exploration of the "immense forces" required to fight gravity and the vulnerability of the human body in zero-G environments. The Overview Effect: The profound psychological realization that occurs when astronauts look back at the planet and see it not as a collection of countries, but as a single "crew" on Spaceship Earth. Humanizing Space: A shift from the "stoic" pilots of the 1960s to a mission characterized by visible joy, big hugs, and diverseleadership. Space Travel as a Biogravitational Mission Breaking the Tether: Humanity’s evolutionary history is defined by standing up and using intelligence to build machines that allow us to fly and eventually "blast off" from the planet. The Two Portals: Space travel forces a confrontation with two realities: the "awe-inspiring" view of home and the "existential dread" of the black void. Inner Space vs. Outer Space: The lessons learned from reaching the moon are applied to "inner space," helping individuals navigate the gravitational pull of their own minds. Timecodes 00:04 — Introduction to the Artemis mission and its global significance. 00:30 — Exploring the social and spiritual implications of overcoming gravity. 01:38 — Artemis as a "Global Unifier"transcending national borders. 02:14 — The physics of untethering and the fragility of the human body. 02:43 — Reflections on looking back at "SpaceshipEarth". 04:24 — Humanizing space: Comparing modern joy and diversity to Apollo-era stoicism. 05:56 — The nuance of falling and fighting gravity as alife force. 07:34 — Standing up as humanity's existential mission. 08:41 — The anti-gravity mission: Breaking the tether to bring consciousness beyond Earth. 10:11 — Space travel as a driver for new scientific and experiential understanding. 12:37 — Pioneering, science, and the phenomenology of the unknown. 14:56 — Mental Gravity: Elevation and perspective vs.the "stuckness" of depression. 16:11 — The Astronaut's Perspective: De-centering tofind meaning and universal connection. 18:43 — The Two Portals: Navigating the "OverviewEffect" (awe) and the black void (dread). 22:16 — The spiritual dimension of gravity and the physical induction of awe. 22:39 — Oceanic consciousness, ego dissolution, and the transient self. 25:26 — Choosing a portal: Naturalistic spirituality and the news of a "cosmic whole". 27:00 — The evolution of the "crew":Interconnection as a strategy for mutual survival. 28:42 — Selflessness vs. Selfishness: Finding hopeful signs of social cohesion. 32:00 — Convergence: Biogravitational medicine as a holistic approach to humanity's future. 34:56 — Closing: Inviting others into the"crew" and future launch of Mental Gravity. Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr. Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr. Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Kurt Cobain and the Gravity of Child Development with Dr Mats Niklasson	02 Mar 2026	01:10:12
Dr Lachlan Kent is joined by Dr Mats Niklasson, developmental psychologist, visiting Research Fellow at the University of Greater Manchester, and co-founder of Sensorimotor Therapy, to explore how early vestibular development shapes both physical coordination and the narrative sense of self. Drawing on nearly 40 years of clinical work with children and adults experiencing coordination and concentration difficulties, Mats explains how early reflexes—especially the Moro (startle/falling) reflex—connect infants to gravity. When these developmental processes are disrupted, the result may be delayed motor patterns, emotional dysregulation, learning challenges, and even later-life identity instability. Using the life of Kurt Cobain as a psychobiographical case study, the conversation explores how gravitational insecurity may influence creativity, mental health, and the lifelong struggle to feel “at home” in one’s own body. Check out Mat's book on the topic: "The discovery of international autoethnographical psychobiography" https://bookstore.emerald.com/the-discovery-of-international-digital-collaborative-autoethnographical-psychobiography-hb-9781837083817.html 1. Sensorimotor Therapy & Gravity A developmental approach grounded in movement and balance Focuses on vestibular activation and early motor patterns Links physiology and psychology through embodied development Works by re-engaging early fetal-style movements The goal:Reconnect the nervous system with gravity to release arrested development Primary Reflexes & Early Development All infants are born with survival reflexes The Moro reflex is closely tied to the vestibular system If not properly integrated: Crawling patterns may be skipped Walking and speech may be delayed Concentration and coordination may suffer Vestibular development sits on a continuum—not simply “normal” vs “impaired” Reconnecting to Gravity Therapy works by: Recreating early fetal movement patterns Engaging attachment between child and caregiver Stimulating vestibular systems Observed outcomes include: Return of expected motor patternsImproved regulationReduction in headaches and stomach achesThis suggests a deep link between vestibular development and whole-body wellbeing From Body to Biography Mats connects early vestibular insecurity to later psychological outcomes: Development is trajectory-based Small early deviations may compound over time Identity itself may emerge from embodied stability. Kurt Cobain as Case Study Niklasson’s analysis suggests: Possible early developmental difficulties Verified diagnoses included scoliosis and chronic bronchitis Chronic stomach pain remained unexplained He may have suffered from IBS—undiagnosed in his lifetime Vestibular instability may have influenced: Sensitivity Withdrawal Creativity Search for equilibrium Niklasson proposes Cobain may have been “a victim of his time,” lacking modern frameworks to understand syndrome-like conditions Creativity & Instability Drawing on Coleridge’s distinction between: Fancy imagination (common) Secondary imagination (rare, generative) Some creative individuals may channel instability into talent. Therapeutic balance is key: Stability may reduce suffering But may also alter creative expression Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au
	All loved "UP" on Valentines Day: Gravity and cuffing season	14 Feb 2026	00:21:43
Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) explore how seasons, sunlight, serotonin, and gravity shape mood, attraction, and human connection. Broadcasting from opposite hemispheres—Brennan in winter in Los Angeles and Lachlan in summer in Melbourne—they examine why people often feel more “down” in winter, why this is linked to reduced sunlight and serotonin, and how this helps explain the phenomenon known as “cuffing season”—the seasonal urge to pair up. They connect dating, love, posture, breath, yoga, serotonin, oxytocin, and even planetary orbits into a single biogravitational story: human connection is shaped by the same gravitational cycles that shape the seasons themselves. Seasons as Gravitational Cycles Seasons arise from Earth’s orbit around the sun Not just temperature cycles, but gravitational and light cycles Mood follows seasonal gravity: Summer = outward, expansive, light Winter = inward, heavy, contracting Breath mirrors this cycle: in/up, out/down Winter, Serotonin, and Mental Gravity Sunlight boosts serotonin Low winter sunlight → lower serotonin → heavier mood Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) as a gravity-related mood state Serotonin as a “gravity management molecule” that supports: Muscle tone Circulation Upright posture Mental elevation Love, Attraction, and Gravity “Falling in love” uses gravitational language Uprightness—physical, emotional, moral—is attractive Winter dating favors depth over display Spring favors peacocking; winter favors bonding Long-term connection as gravitational alignment of values Winter Practices for Gravity Resilience Movement & Posture Yoga as a winter-friendly anti-gravity practice Inversions, posture, alignment, balance Low-intensity movement over intense training Light &Environment Maximize sunlight exposure Use light boxes in high-latitude winters Get outside when possible Diet & Chemistry Tryptophan-rich foods: turkey, avocado, chicken, chickpeas, kidney, beans, eggs, tofu, nuts Support serotonin production through diet Connection Cuddling, closeness, bonding Oxytocin release Oxytocin → vagus nerve → serotonin Parasympathetic “rest and digest” state Neurochemistry of Winter Bonding Oxytocin primes vagus nerve Vagus nerve regulates serotonin release Cuddling + calm = anti-gravity physiology Parasympathetic tone matches seasonal slowing Biogravitational Medicine in Daily Life Human health reflects planetary physics Sun, moon, Earth, and orbit shape biology Mood, love, and seasons are not mystical—just natural Gravity as the hidden organizer of emotion, posture, and connection Timecodes 00:00 — Welcome & hemispheres 01:15 — Seasons and gravity 02:15 — What is cuffing season? 03:15 — Mood, winter, and seasonal affect 04:40 — Sunlight, serotonin, and heaviness 06:05 — Planetary cycles and breath cycles 07:15 — Love as anti-gravity 08:15 — Depth vs display in dating 09:20 — Uprightness and attraction 10:45 — Winter activities and posture 11:35 — Yoga and winter gravity 13:15 — Balance, breath, and alignment 15:40 — Light therapy and sunlight 16:40 — Diet and serotonin foods 16:55 — Cuddling, oxytocin, vagus nerve 18:15 — Parasympathetic winter mode 19:05 — Biogravitation and planetary life 20:35 — Falling in love & falling physically 21:00 — Closing reflections Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	How the Brain Senses Gravity — with Elisa Ferrè	06 Feb 2026	00:39:09
Dr Lachlan Kent and Dr Brennan Spiegel are joined by Elisa R. Ferrè, professor of cognitive neuroscience at Birkbeck, University of London, and one of the world’s leading experts on graviception and the vestibular system. Together, they explore how the brain senses gravity without a single “gravity receptor,” why the vestibular system has no primary cortex, and how gravity is computed as a distributed, multisensory model integrating vestibular, visual, proprioceptive, and visceral signals. The conversation spans neuroscience, emotion, aesthetics, culture, spaceflight, and mental health—revealing gravity as the hidden scaffolding of perception, meaning, and wellbeing. 1. What Is Graviception? The brain’s ability to sense and model gravityNot driven by a single receptor or cortical areaConstructed through multisensory integrationFundamental to embodiment, orientation, and survival Why the Vestibular System Is Unique No unimodal “vestibular cortex” Projects broadly across the brain Does not produce a clear conscious sensation Becomes noticeable mainly when something goes wrong (dizziness, vertigo, nausea) The vestibular system acts as the glue binding mind and body, anchoring us in a single embodied perspective. How the Brain Computes Gravity Gravity is not perceived directlyThe brain integrates: Vestibular otolith signals (head tilt, linearacceleration) Visual cues (verticality, alignment) Proprioception (joints, muscles, posture) Visceral signals (internal organs) Each signal is weighted by reliability to form an internal model of terrestrial gravity. Gravity, Meaning, and Culture Preferences for verticality (upright lines, tall buildings) Vertical = power, stability, positivity Downward tilt = unease, disorder Gravity shapes art, architecture, language, and metaphor Up = good, free, elevated Down = heavy, negative, constrained Emotion, Fear, and the Vestibular System Vestibular pathways connect directly to: Amygdala Insula Hypothalamus This explains why vestibular disturbances are emotionally chargedDizziness and vertigo trigger fear, nausea, and autonomic responses Gravity sensing is deeply tied to survival systems Weightlessness and Freedom Parabolic flight (“vomit comet”) as a unique graviceptive state Weightlessness described as profound freedom Also physiologically challenging Post-flight “down” feelings mirror return to gravity Freedom comes with a cost: sensory conflict and adaptation demands. Space Adaptation & Neuroplasticity Astronauts experience space motion sickness Symptoms: nausea, disorientation, brain fog The brain can adapt through neuroplasticity Adaptation takes time, energy, and training Implicationsfor long-term space travel and Mars exploration. Gravity, Mental Health, and Everyday Life Anxiety as mis-tuned gravity anticipation Depression as altered temporal and bodily grounding Mental fitness as trainable gravity resilience Tools discussed: Yoga and posture Breath awareness Grounding through the feet Weighted blankets Music, rest, and multisensory regulation Practical Graviceptive Tip Stand still and feel the pressure through the soles of your feet Notice the security of 1G Use grounding as a way to reduce anxiety and reset expectations Timecodes 00:00 — Introduction & guest welcome 02:00 — What makes the vestibular system unique 05:00 — Why gravity is mostly unconscious 06:30 — How the brain computes gravity 09:30 — Homunculus vs gravity computation 11:30 — Gravity as a prior for perception 14:00 — Semantics, aesthetics & verticality 17:00 — Architecture, art & meaning 20:00 — Vestibular system & emotion 22:00 — Parabolic flight & weightlessness 24:00 — Freedom, addiction & the cost of zero-G 28:30 — Space adaptation syndrome 31:00 — Can humans adapt to Mars? 35:30 — Everyday graviception & grounding 38:00 — Closing reflections Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au
	EMERGENCY EPISODE: Alex honnold’s incredible gravity-defying climb	27 Jan 2026	00:18:58
Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) drop an emergency episode to unpack one of the most extreme acts of gravity defiance ever witnessed: Alex Honnold climbing a 100-plus-storey skyscraper without ropes. Using Honnold as an “extreme phenotype,” they explore what his remarkable calm reveals about fear, anxiety, graviception, and mental gravity. Drawing on neuroscience, psychology, and lived experience, they examine how Honnold’s quiet amygdala, finely tuned salience network, and relentless present-momentfocus allow him to operate where most humans would be paralysed by fear. The episode bridges elite performance and everyday mental health, asking: what can the rest of us learn—safely—from someone who literally does not fear falling? 1. Why Alex Honnold Matters A real-world example of ultimate gravity resilienceFree-solo climbing as the most literal test of mental gravityAnxiety, fear of falling, and bodily panic stripped awayA window into the far edge of human psychological capacity Fear, Falling, and the Brain Amygdala Honnold’s amygdala shows minimal activation to fear-inducing stimuli Contrast with anxiety, chronic pain, IBS, and fibromyalgia, where the amygdala is hyper-vigilant Salience Network & Anterior Insula Detects what matters in the body and environment Simulates graviceptive cues without triggering panic Anchors awareness in the present moment Being in the Moment—Taken Seriously Honnold’s survival depends on microsecond-level presence No anticipatory anxiety, no future projection Finger placement, balance, and movement solved in real time Presence as an adaptive skill—not a slogan Gravity Sensitivity as a Continuum Humans vary widely in tolerance for heights, G-forces, and risk Too much fear → paralysis Too little fear → danger Healthy functioning lies in the middle of the curve Mental Gravity, Anxiety, and Depression Anxiety = anticipation of falling Depression = being stuck or weighed down in the present Honnold represents the opposite extreme: calm within gravity Insights help reframe everyday anxiety as mis-tuned gravity perception Training vs Talent Honnold combines rare inborn traits with years of intense training Physical: extreme strength, precision, endurance Mental: emotional regulation, present-moment focus Fear is not absent—it is managed and contained What Can We Learn (Safely)? Not to climb skyscrapers—but to train mental fitness: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy as mentaltraining Meditation as present-moment conditioning Breathwork, yoga, and grounding practices Social connection and rest as recovery Balancing effort and recovery (noovertraining) Mental fitness = something you work on, not something you either have or don’t have. One Percent Rule You don’t need to be Alex Honnold Channeling 1% of his presence, calm, and training can meaningfully improve everyday resilience Timecodes 00:00 — Emergency episode & skyscraper climb 01:10 — Free Solo and gravity defiance 02:15 — Watching the footage & bodily reactions 02:45 — Fear, falling & butterflies 03:30 — Amygdala findings 04:20 — Anxiety, pain & hyper-vigilance 05:10 — Salience network & graviception 06:20 — Courage vs fearlessness 06:50 — Gravity sensitivity across populations 07:50 — Mental gravity & anxiety 08:50 — Training, not recklessness 10:00 — Being truly in the moment 11:10 — Depression, anxiety & time orientation 12:05 — Learning from extreme phenotypes 13:20 — Mental health in a steeper world 14:20 — Training for modern life 15:20 — Mental fitness beyond CBT 16:10 — Meditation, breath & balance 17:35 — One percent of Honnold 18:30 — Closing reflections Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Defying Gravity: The Olympics and the Limits of Human Performance - Ep 9	15 Jan 2026	00:21:14
How do elite athletes use body, mind, joy, and meaning to push beyond physical limits? Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) explore theOlympics as humanity’s greatest laboratory for defying gravity. With the Winter Olympics approaching, they examine elite athletes as “physics-fighting engines”—bodies and minds trained to resist, redirect, and sometimes seemingly escape gravity. Through stories of Cathy Freeman, Quincy Hall, Alex Honnold, and modern superstars like Steph Curry and Luka Dončić, they show how peak performance is not just physical—it is mental gravity management. They introduce Olympic training as a real-world expression of biogravitational medicine, where strength, balance, imagery, joy, poise, team culture, and meaning all shape how far humans can push their relationship with gravity. 1. Why the Olympics Matter to Mental Gravity The Olympics showcase humanity at the edge of physical limits Elite sport = everyday gravity management taken to extremes Athletes model what it means to fight gravity physically and mentally Peak performance = synchronization of body, brain, and meaning Athletes as Anti-Gravity Prototypes Cathy Freeman (Sydney 2000) “Floating” to gold in the 400m Home crowd as acceleration, not pressure Up, light, fast = opposite of depression Quincy Hall (Paris 400m Final) Turning failure into flight Last-minute mental reversal → physical transcendence Basketball, Ski Jumping, SkatingLeaping, flying, spinning, managing G-forcesAngular momentum and rotational control as gravity mastery Mental Gravity in Elite Performance Performance depends on mental poise, not just muscle Stillness before action Pressure as fuel, not burden Crowds as acceleration, not oppression Joy as a performance amplifier Examples: Steph Curry — joy + precision Luka Dončić — playfulness under pressure Ash Barty — recovery from “the yips” through joy Imagery, Rehearsal, and Gravity Mental imagery as bodily rehearsal Kyrie Irving visualizing free throws Alex Honnold mentally climbing El Capitan before climbing it Mental gravity = using body as template for thought and emotion Up = energized Down = heavy Calm = balanced Fear, Falling, and Mastery Fear of falling = gravitational anxiety Elite athletes train to feel secure within gravity Butterflies in the belly = falling sensations Great athletes use fear to prime—not paralyze—the nervous system Timecodes 00:00 — Welcome & why the Olympics matter 01:00 — Peak athleticism as defying gravity 02:00 — Cathy Freeman & floating to gold 03:30 — Winter sports & G-forces 04:30 — Quincy Hall’s last-minute flight 06:00 — Mental vs physical performance 07:30 — Stillness, pressure & acceleration 09:00 — Joy as a performance tool 10:30 — The yips, anxiety & recovery 12:00 — Mental imagery in sport 13:30 — Kyrie Irving & visualization 14:45 — Alex Honnold & fear mastery 16:15 — Fear, falling & butterflies 17:45 — Biogravitational training stacks 19:00 — Team culture & social gravity 20:30 — VR, the Proteus Effect & training 22:00 — Dead hangs & gravity endurance 24:00 — Olympics as humanity’s gravity experiment 25:00 — Closing reflections Resources The Gravity Doctors: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Serotonin: The Body’s Anti-Gravity Molecule - Ep 8	20 Dec 2025	00:18:23
Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) explore serotonin as a gravity-management molecule, reframing it not simply as a “happiness chemical,” but as a fundamental biological system that allows life to stand up, move fluids, regulate balance, and remain psychologically buoyant in a gravitational field. Together, Brennan and Lachlan unpack new research on serotonin’s role across the gut, cardiovascular system, lymphatics, vestibular system, reproduction, and mood—showing how 95% of serotonin is produced in the gut, in symbiosis with the microbiome. They trace serotonin’s evolutionary origins from ocean life to land, altitude, and even space, and discuss practical implications for diet, exercise, sunlight, microbiome care, and mental health. 1. What Is Serotonin? A whole-body gravity resilience molecule, not just a brainneurotransmitter Exists in two largely separate compartments: brain and gut Central to movement, circulation, balance, mood, and vitality Evolutionarily conserved across plants, animals, and humans Serotonin as a Gravity-Management System Gut & DigestionMotility against gravity in any body orientation Pumps & Tubes Blood pressure regulation, cardiac contractility, lymphatic return Balance& OrientationVestibular function; dizziness during SSRI withdrawal Reproduction Retrograde uterine contractions that move sperm upward against gravity Mood &Energy Mental elevation, vitality, resilience, and time perception The Microbiome–Serotonin Alliance Trillionsof microbes are required to trigger serotonin production The gut as a “dark, sulfurous, hydrothermal” evolutionary niche A symbiotic bargain: microbes get mobility; humans get serotonin Changes in altitude, microgravity, and spaceflight rapidly alter serotoninbiology STACK TEN: The Anti-Gravity Diet (introduced) A practical framework from Pull for supporting serotonin production via tryptophan-rich foods. Core principles:Tryptophan as substrateMicrobiome diversityDietary balance rather than supplementation alone Therapeutic & Self-Care Implications Dietary modification (tryptophan-rich foods, microbiome-supportive diets)Exercise and movementSunlight and time outdoorsWorking with dietitians for GI and mood conditions (e.g., low-FODMAP when indicated)Understanding limits and side effects of SSRIsNaturally supporting serotonin across body and mind Metaphor & Meaning The gutmicrobiome as the “spice factory” of human biologySerotonin as the true “spice of life”—powerful, regulating, and double-edgedGravity as the organizing principle linking biology, psychology, and medicine Timecodes 00:00 —Welcome & why serotonin matters 01:10 — Serotonin beyond the “happiness chemical” 02:20 — Gut vs brain serotonin compartments 03:20 — Pumps, tubes & whole-body effects 04:25 — Lymphatics, reproduction & balance 06:20 — Evolutionary origins & gravitation 08:10 — Microbiome symbiosis metaphor 10:15 — Altitude, spaceflight & serotonin disruption 11:30 — STACK TEN diet introduced 12:45 — Diet, microbiome & mood disorders 13:50 — Dune, spice & serotonin metaphor 15:45 — SSRIs: benefits, limits & side effects 17:00 — Natural serotonin support & integration 17:45 — Closing reflections & next steps Resources The Gravity Doctors website: https://thegravitydoctors.com Dr Brennan Spiegel: https://brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: https://lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Brennan's antigravity diet - Boost your serotonin with STACK TEN Ep 7	08 Dec 2025	00:28:13
Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) explore how diet, microbiome diversity, and serotonin production shape your capacity to stand up to gravity—physically and mentally. They introduce the Anti-Gravity Diet and Brennan’s STACK TEN framework, a simple, evidence-informed way to support the gut’s serotonin “factories” and improve whole-body gravity resilience. Along the way, they unpack how food, fibre, omega-3s, polyphenols, vagus-nerve activation, and mindful rest all participate in the body–mind system that keeps us upright and energised. Together, Brennan and Lachlan discuss babies as “gravity novices,” leaky gut, the gut–brain axis, evolutionary embodiment, time dilation in depression, and why serotonin—serum tone—is essential for managing the constant downward pull of Earth’s gravity. A holistic framework for supporting natural serotonin production—the body’s anti-gravity molecule. Grounded in gastrointestinal physiology, microbiome science, and biogravitational medicine. Not a restrictive diet — a practical, everyday toolkit for gravity resilience. A memory device for foods that supply the raw material (tryptophan) for serotonin production: Salmon Turkey Avocado Chickpeas Kidney beans Tofu/Tempeh Eggs Nuts Paired with: Fibre → feeds microbes that create short-chain fatty acids Omega-3s → shift the microbiome toward serotonin-supporting species Polyphenols → found in berries, cocoa, turmeric, and green tea 00:00 — Welcome & overview of the Anti-Gravity Diet 01:20 — Serotonin as the body’s anti-gravity molecule 04:20 — Microbiome diversity & the gut barrier 06:30 — Babies, serotonin & early gravity resilience 09:40 — Tryptophan, fibre & short-chain fatty acids 11:00 — Leaky gut, inflammation & decoherence 13:00 — Food–mood science & depression 16:40 — What to eat: introducing STACK TEN 17:00 — The ten tryptophan-rich foods 18:50 — Polyphenols, omega-3s & microbiome tuning 19:50 — Beyond diet: exercise, nature, sunlight 21:20 — Balancing sympathetic vs parasympathetic tone 23:00 — Vagus-nerve stimulation & rest-and-digest 24:30 — Gravity as the integrator across biological levels 26:00 — Life as a system for managing gravity 27:20 — Closing reflections & future topics The Gravity Doctors website: ⁠https://thegravitydoctors.com⁠ Gravitype Quiz: virtualmedicine.org/pull Dr Brennan Spiegel: brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	What's your Gravitype? Take the quiz to find out Ep 6	01 Dec 2025	00:49:45
In this episode, Dr Brennan Spiegel (physician, gastroenterologist, and author of Pull) and Dr Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and founder of Mental Gravity) dive deep into gravity resilience and introduce listeners to the new Gravitype Quiz—a wellness tool that blends biomechanics, neuroscience, and psychology to help people understand their personal relationship with gravity. Together, Brennan and Lachlan take the quiz live on the show and compare results, unpacking the three pillars of biogravitational health: gravity fortitude, gravity sensing, and mental gravity. Along the way, they explore back pain, dizziness, cold exposure, resilience, interoception, emotional balance, and how experiences like roller coasters or elevators reveal something about your gravitational tendencies. You can try the full interactive quiz here: brennanspiegelmd.com virtualmedicine.org/pull thegravitydoctors.com 1. What Is a Gravitype? A personalised profile of gravity resilience Based on the framework in Pull and grounded in emerging concepts in biogravitational medicine Not a diagnostic tool — currently evidence-informed and intended for education/wellness Gravity Fortitude Muscles, bones, pumps, and tubes Cardiovascular and postural strength Back pain, leg swelling, stair climbing, grip strength Gravity Sensing Inner ear, proprioception, vestibular function Balance tests (like one-leg standing) Cold sensitivity, interoception, dizziness/vertigo Mental Gravity Weighted-down vs uplifted Stress tolerance, emotional recovery, “flow” states Dual-continuum model of mental health Grip strength as a predictor of longevity BMI and physical load on the spine Orthostatic light-headedness and blood pressure regulation Inner-ear disorders (e.g., BPPV) and sensory hypersensitivity The anterior insula as the “gravity conductor” of the body–mind symphony They answer questions on: Opening a jar Climbing stairs Back pain Light-headedness Balance Cold tolerance Emotional reactivity and resilience Roller coaster sensitivity Positive emotional absorption (flow) Each reflects personally on past injuries, thyroid health, yoga, meditation, diet, travel, and evolving gravitational resilience across their lives. Durable fortitude Normosensitive sensing Lifted mental gravity Notes how training (cold exposure, yoga, flying) reshaped Lachlan's sensitivity over time. Reflections on vertigo, cold intolerance, and emotional uplift as part of Brennan's profile. Both discuss how gravitypes can change with training, awareness, and targeted practices. Examples include: Down-regulating sensory overload (slow nasal breathing, longer exhales, box breathing) Strengthening the gravity fortitude system (movement, posture, reducing sitting time) Noticing “watch-outs” such as back pain, dizziness, or emotional rumination Links included in the show notes. 00:00 — Welcome, origins of the gravitype 01:30 — Gravity resilience basics 03:00 — Gravity fortitude (muscles, tubes, pumps) 06:45 — Mental gravity explained 08:00 — Starting the quiz 09:00 — Grip strength & longevity 11:00 — Stair climbing & cardiovascular load 12:00 — Back pain & evolution 15:00 — Orthostatic dizziness & fainting 18:00 — BMI, weight, and gravitational load 20:00 — Leg swelling, pumps & tubes 23:30 — Gravity sensing & vertigo 25:00 — Balance tests (one-leg stance) 26:30 — Cold sensitivity & nervous-system tuning 29:30 — Interoception & the anterior insula 33:00 — Stress, heaviness & mental gravity 36:00 — Roller coasters, turbulence & fear responses 38:00 — Emotional resilience and bouncing back 41:00 — Flow states and uplift 43:00 — Revealing their gravitypes 46:30 — What their results mean 48:00 — Final reflections & where to take the quiz The Gravity Doctors website: https://thegravitydoctors.com Gravitype Quiz: available on BrennanSpeigelMD.com & virtualmedicine.org Dr Brennan Spiegel: brennanspiegelmd.com Dr Lachlan Kent: lachlankent.au Book — Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health
	Mental Gravity: The hidden force shaping your mind and emotions - Ep 5	03 Nov 2025	00:31:07
Dr. Brennan Spiegel (Cedars-Sinai) and Dr. Lachlan Kent explore how gravity shapes not only our bodies but our minds. Through the lens of Cathy Freeman’s gold-medal run, they discuss mental gravity — the feeling of emotional “weight” and lightness that defines human experience. From Einstein’s relativity to embodied cognition and Cedars-Sinai’s virtual-reality therapy, they connect physics, psychology, and physiology to show how alignment with gravity may be the key to wellbeing. Topics include depression as a “mental gravity well,” glucose and perception, VR and levity, and how mindfulness, diet, and physical balance can help us stay buoyant in heavy times. Key themes: Mental Gravity: The experience of emotional and cognitive “weight,” shaped by our alignment with the physical world’s gravitational pull. Embodied Cognition: How bodily states and forces (like gravity, glucose, or posture) shape perception and thought.Gravity Intolerance: A unifying framework for disorders where physical and mental balance are disrupted. Mind over Matter: Using imagery, mindfulness, and movement to generate upward momentum and emotional lightness.Timecodes: 00:00 – 01:30 \| Welcome to The Gravity DoctorsIntroducing Brennan and Lachlan; overview of physical and mental gravity. 01:30 – 03:50 \| The Cathy Freeman StoryHow Cathy transcended the “weight of expectation” to run with joy and lightness — an example of mental gravity at its best. 03:50 – 06:00 \| The Weight of EmotionExploring why positive emotions feel light and negative emotions feel heavy — from embodied metaphors to physical postures of depression. 06:00 – 08:10 \| Embodied Cognition and Glucose StudiesBrennan cites research showing blood-glucose levels alter perception of hill steepness — a literal bridge between physiology and perception. 08:10 – 11:00 \| The Birth of the Theory of Mental GravityLachlan recalls his “aha” moment linking Einstein’s general relativity lecture on black holes to psychological depression — both described using the same language of heaviness, collapse, and isolation. 11:00 – 12:40 \| Gravity Wells, Black Holes, and RecoveryComparing mental “gravity wells” to depression — but unlike black holes, people can pull themselves out. 12:40 – 16:20 \| Champagne, Joy, and the Physics of EmotionWhy celebration rituals mirror gravitational metaphors — bubbles rising, buoyancy, and the inevitable “come-down.” 16:20 – 19:30 \| Virtual Reality as a Gravity-Hacking ToolCedars-Sinai research: VR experiences that simulate floating or flying reduce pain, anxiety, and inflammation — measurable physiological effects of simulated levity. 19:30 – 22:00 \| Mindfulness and Mental ImageryUsing mental imagery and meditation to reshape the brain-body landscape and foster feelings of lightness and alignment. 22:00 – 25:50 \| The Continuum of Mind and BodyWhy mind and body aren’t separate but part of one continuous system — like a cross-country landscape shifting seamlessly from desert to sea. 25:50 – 28:30 \| Gravity Intolerance and Health ResilienceReframing conditions like IBS, POTS, and anxiety as variations of gravity intolerance; maintaining physical and mental balance as the essence of wellbeing. 28:30 – 30:00 \| Everyday Applications & Closing ReflectionsFrom mindfulness to serotonin-rich diets and time in nature — practical tools to stay buoyant. Final reflections on finding balance between empowerment and medical treatment. Want to discover your 'Gravitype'? Visit The Gravity Doctors website:https://thegravitydoctors.com/ Order Brennan's book "Pull" to learn more about how gravity shapes your health in both body and mind via his personal ⁠⁠personal website⁠⁠: https://www.brennanspiegelmd.com/pull Visit ⁠⁠Lachlan's website ⁠⁠to learn more about his work in mental gravity: https://lachlankent.au/ Music by ⁠ALLIRA⁠ and Visceral Sound - https://www.youtube.com/@ALLIRAmusic Recording at ⁠JTB Studio⁠ by David Iskandaryan.
	Harnessing gravity to overcome chronic illness w/ Harmon Clarke - Ep 4	13 Oct 2025	00:45:46
In this uplifting and deeply human episode of The Gravity Doctors, Dr. Brennan Spiegel (Cedars-Sinai gastroenterologist and author of PULL) and Dr. Lachlan Kent (cognitive scientist and theorist of Mental Gravity) sit down with Harmon Clarke, a patient-turned-researcher whose remarkable recovery story illuminates the future of biogravitational medicine. From septic shock and 200 days in hospital to yoga teacher, breathwork practitioner, and health researcher, Harmon’s journey embodies resilience, creativity, and the healing power of re-engaging with gravity. Together, they explore how movement, inversions, virtual reality, and breathwork can transform pain and depression into buoyancy and balance — culminating in a spontaneous “Gravity Rap” that captures the spirit of the show. Core Themes Gravity as a unifying metaphor for physical and mental health Movement and inversion therapy for resilience and recovery Virtual reality and embodied cognition Tensegrity, balance, and the biomechanics of wellbeing Patient empowerment and the hero’s journey in healing Biogravitational medicine as a synthesis of East–West paradigms 00:00 – Welcome and Introductions 01:00 – Facing the Grave 03:00 – Virtual Reality and the Mind–Body Connection 06:00 – Yoga, Breathwork, and Natural Recovery 08:00 – The Science of Inversion and Tensegrity 14:00 – Hospitals and Gravity Intolerance 18:00 – Depression as a Gravitational Condition 24:00 – Cathy Freeman and Gravitational Flow 25:45 – East Meets West 30:00 – Rebalancing Medicine 33:00 – The Simple Tools of Healing 35:00 – Designing the Future of Biogravitational Medicine 38:00 – Generational Health and Modern Comfort 41:00 – The Gravity Rap Finale Order Brennan's book "Pull" to learn more about how gravity shapes your health in both body and mind via his personal ⁠⁠personal website⁠⁠. Visit ⁠⁠Lachlan's website ⁠⁠to learn more about his work in mental gravity. Music by ⁠ALLIRA⁠ and Visceral Sound Recording at JTB Studio by David Iskandaryan. Editing by Dr Karisma Suchak.
	Top 10 Gravity Tips - Ep 3	30 Sep 2025	00:35:04
Biogravitational Medicine is a holistic approach to maintaining health in both body and mind. It's like a toolkit where you can find what works for you and your particular situation. Here are our top ten that work for most people most of the time. (As always, consult a doctor for personalised medical advice before attempting anything that might pose a risk to your physical or mental health, or for treatment of acute or chronic conditions. The information here is for educational and information purposes only.) Order Brennan's book "Pull" to learn more about how gravity shapes your health in both body and mind via his personal ⁠personal website⁠. Visit ⁠Lachlan's website ⁠to learn more about his work in mental gravity. Music by ALLIRA and Visceral Sound This episode was recorded at ⁠Myst Music⁠. Audio engineering by Jeremy Roberts. Audio and video editing by Dr Karisma Suchak.
	'Pull' book preview - Ep 2	11 Sep 2025	00:25:27
Dr Spiegel has written a book about gravitational health called 'Pull' on the wide ranging themes underpinning this podcast - gut health, mental gravity, serotonin, the inner ear, the body's pumps and tubes, the gravitostat, and many more. The hosts take a tour through the world of biogravitational medicine by telling the story of what inspired the book, where the science is heading, and how people can apply the principles in their daily lives. Order Brennan's book "Pull" to learn more about how gravity shapes your health in both body and mind via his personal personal website. Visit Lachlan's website to learn more about his work in mental gravity. Music by ALLIRA and Visceral Sound. This episode was recorded at Myst Music. Thanks to Jeremy Roberts for audio engineering and Dr Karisma Suchak for editing.
	Gut Feelings: The gravitational roots of the mind-body connection - Ep 1	09 Sep 2025	00:27:56
You know the feeling you get in your belly when falling on a rollercoaster? Ever wondered why we get similar gut feelings when we're "falling" in love? In this episode, Brennan (a gastroenterologist) and Lachlan (a cognitive scientist) talk about how gravity shapes gastrointestinal function and what relation gut feelings have to physical and mental health. They discuss Brennan's viral scientific paper, "Gravity and the Gut: A Hypothesis of Irritable Bowel Syndrome" and Lachlan's breakthrough theory of the mind called "Mental Gravity", and the connections between their shared ideas. Conditions like IBS often lead to anxiety and depression, which are the mental equivalent of "falling" and having "fallen", and so they draw a connection between gut health, gut feelings, and mental health. Strap yourself in for a rollercoaster ride through the topsy-turvy world of gut feelings in both body and mind. Order Brennan's book "Pull" to learn more about how gravity shapes your health in both body and mind via his personal personal website. Visit Lachlan's website to learn more about his work in mental gravity. Music by ALLIRA and Visceral Sound. This episode was recorded at ⁠Myst Music⁠. Thanks to Jeremy Roberts for audio engineering.

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