Passion Struck with John R. Miles
Episode 673 – Brennan Spiegel on Graviception: The Hidden Force Shaping Your Life
Release Date: October 7, 2025
Guest: Dr. Brennan Spiegel
Host: John R. Miles
Overview
In this episode, John R. Miles sits down with Dr. Brennan Spiegel—UCLA professor, director at Cedars Sinai, and author of “Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health”—to kick off the “Forces We Cannot See” series. In a conversation brimming with new science, vivid metaphors, and practical wisdom, they examine gravity as an unseen yet profound force shaping physical health, emotional states, longevity, and even personal meaning.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Human Flourishing and “Forces We Cannot See” (02:34)
- This episode launches a new Passion Struck miniseries spotlighting invisible influences.
- Gravity is introduced as perhaps the most fundamental and overlooked force behind our health and sense of self.
2. The Convergence of Human Wisdom and AI (05:12)
- Dr. Spiegel’s Approach: “How do we blend human expertise and wisdom with machines…? I like to think of it as BI instead of AI—Blended Intelligence.” (05:12)
- Dr. Spiegel discusses digital health ethics, emphasizing collaboration between artificial and human intelligence for better health outcomes.
- Behavioral economics is explored as a toolkit for navigating complexity, mirroring the way AI learns pattern recognition in chaos:
“We are trying to find patterns in chaos… to create a coherent narrative in our mind’s eye that allows us to find patterns that allow us to survive and thrive.” (06:11)
3. Scientific Skepticism and Growth (07:22)
- On falsification, Dr. Spiegel leans on the scientific method and experimentation to vet ideas—emphasizing utility and improvement through critique.
- Personal anecdotes about peer review in academia reinforce humility and continuous learning.
4. Gravity as a Hidden Health Variable
What is Biogravitational Medicine? (10:58)
- Spiegel frames gravity as “[the] fundamental force of physics” shaping all biology:
“Gravity was here before any signs of life. Gravity came first and biology came second… all biogravitational medicine is, [is that] when we look at the human body and mind through that lens… all sorts of seeming mysteries snap into view.” (10:58) - Health, resilience, and even emotional responses cannot be separated from how we “fight” gravity.
Longevity, Strength & Gravity (12:19)
- The strongest evidence: strength, balance, and literal relationship to Earth predict longevity.
- Mortality metaphors (“grave” and “gravity” share a root) drive home the full-circle role of gravity in life and death.
Clinicians and “Gravity Intolerance” (14:10)
- Many common ailments (back pain, swelling, dizziness, gut issues) are characterized as forms of gravity intolerance.
- Conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome highlight clinical signs—hypermobility, “stretchy ligaments,” GI issues—traceable to poor adaptation to gravity.
- The solution is often not medication, but physical interventions: posture, core, and back strength.
5. Gravity’s Role in Gut, Serotonin, and Mood
Altitude and Gut Health (15:51)
- Altitude changes (e.g., in airplanes, high mountains) alter gravitational forces and provoke flares in colitis/IBS due to physiological shifts.
Microbiome, Serotonin & Gravity Management (16:57)
- Surprising fact: “Most all the serotonin in your body is not in your brain… but in your gut… I think of serotonin as a gravity management substance.” (16:57)
- Diet—especially tryptophan-rich foods—directly supports serotonin, which supports “pumps and tubes” against gravity.
Posture, Motility, and Breakdown (18:36)
- Physical structure—especially posture and ligament strength—directly impacts gut motility, microbiome health, and emotional well-being.
- Compression of the gut (from sedentary lifestyles) can lead to “garden hose” kinks—backups, anxiety, and systemic issues.
6. Everyday Applications: Posture and Weighted Vests
Standing Desks, Rucking, and Gravity Fitness (21:51)
- Dr. Spiegel: “Standing is the… or sitting is the new smoking.” (21:51)
- He shares self-experimentation results with weighted vests (aka rucking)—showing improvements in VO2, squat reps, and effortless weight loss.
- “The bones send signals… we have to increase metabolism because we’re too heavy… it’s like we’re on a new planet.” (22:54)
- Weighted vests and balance boards are positioned as practical gravity “hacks.”
7. Mental Gravity: Emotions, Vestibular System, and Selfhood
Up, Down, and Emotional Weight (25:33)
- Our language for emotion (feeling “up,” “buoyant,” or “down”) is not only metaphorical—subjective weight is rooted in neurophysiology.
- “Depression is almost as if you’re living on a planet with too much gravity. You can’t get out of bed, you’re exhausted, weighted down…” (25:33)
- “Graviception”—the sense of gravity mediated by the anterior insula—integrates physical sensations with emotions and subjective well-being.
Tests and Biomarkers for Gravity Resilience (28:30)
- Simple tests: one-leg stand, grip strength, dead hang, heart rate variability, vagal tone.
- Mental gravity can be assessed with self-checklists (soon on Spiegel’s website), but biological lab markers are still under researched.
8. Practical Ways to Assess and Improve Your Relationship with Gravity (32:06)
- Listeners can self-test physical resilience (gravity fortitude), sensory integration (one-leg stands, balance), and mental gravity (mood tracking).
- Interventions: planks, ab workouts, posture focus, “hypopressive exercises.”
- Rapid improvements possible by shifting habits to “work with gravity.”
9. Flexibility, Core Strength, and Tensegrity (35:20)
- The importance of the core extends to gut suspension and resilience everywhere.
- Reference to Tom Brady’s “tensegrity” (bending without breaking)—not just muscle size but how body systems are integrated and flexible—predict durability.
10. The “Goldilocks Zone” of Gravity and Space Exploration (37:20)
- Gravity needs to be “just right.” Too little (as in space) leads to catastrophic physiological decline:
“Astronauts… have a lot of issues up there. They get stomach issues, their microbiome changes, their serotonin levels change, their heart rate variability changes…” (37:20) - Space travel highlights how essential gravity is to every system; adapting to new gravity environments is a frontier for research.
11. Virtual Reality (VR) and Perception of Gravity (42:49)
- Spiegel’s lab uses VR not just for gaming, but for treating pain, anxiety, or even “mental gravity.”
- By providing simulations of floating or flying, patients can reframe their relationship to gravity and alter mood, anxiety, and perception of pain.
- “Simulations in VR can have powerful effects on mind and body… we can change physiology.” (42:49)
12. “Gravitypes” and Individual Differences (46:58)
- Personal reactions to gravity and falling are individualized—see Dr. Spiegel’s “gravitypes” (alert stabilizer, gravity master, etc.):
- Some embrace thrills (roller coasters), others feel dread or gut sensations.
- This typology also connects to neurobiology (amygdala sensitivity).
- Practical tip: understanding your gravitype helps you shift anxiety and mind–body cohesion.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Gravity and Biology’s Deep Connection
- “Gravity came first and biology came second. So it stands to reason that every part of your body… evolved to manage this fundamental force…” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (10:58)
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On Mental Gravity
- “Depression is almost as if you’re living on a planet with too much gravity. You can’t get out of bed, you’re exhausted, weighted down.” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (25:33)
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On Posture and Gut Health
- “If you’re bent over all day—we’re not meant to be bent over… That functional stack was upright, like ornaments hanging off a Christmas tree.” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (20:42)
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On the Power of VR in Medicine
- “We don’t want people getting lost in virtual reality forever. We want them going back to what I like to call RR—real reality—with a new perception of the world.” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (42:49)
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On Gravity Fitness Hacks
- “I wear a 20 pound weighted vest, and I put 20 pound ankle weights on both my ankles and I stand on a balance board… to constantly have this background force on my body to stay upright and strong.” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (21:51)
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On Outliers and Mastery
- "I tried to put in 10,000 hours into this book… that’s in part due to Malcolm Gladwell’s way of thinking about what it means to become an expert at something.” — Dr. Brennan Spiegel (52:28)
Important Timestamps
- 05:12 – Blending Human Intelligence with AI in Digital Health
- 10:58 – Introduction of Biogravitational Medicine
- 12:19 – Longevity, Health, and Our Relationship to Gravity
- 14:10 – Clinical “Gravity Intolerance” and Everyday Symptoms
- 16:57 – Microbiome, Serotonin, and Gravity Management
- 21:51 – Standing Desks, Weighted Vests, and Practical Gravity Hacks
- 25:33 – Mental Gravity, Emotion, and the Vestibular System
- 28:30 – Biomarkers and Practical Self-Tests for Graviception
- 32:06 – Three Ways to Assess Gravity Resilience
- 37:20 – Astronauts, the Goldilocks Zone, and Space Medicine
- 42:49 – VR for Pain and Emotional Recalibration
- 46:58 – Roller Coasters, Gravitypes, and the Fear of Falling
- 52:28 – On Mastery, Outliers, and the Research Behind “Pull”
Resources and Further Reading
- Dr. Brennan Spiegel’s website: brennanspiegelmd.com
- The book: “Pull: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health”
- Discussion of “gravitypes” and self-assessment checklists (to be released on Spiegel's site)
Actionable Takeaways
- Reevaluate the ordinary: Gravity quietly shapes every aspect of health and self.
- Physical metrics like balance, grip, and HRV are vital signs of resilience.
- Modest daily changes—standing more, core workouts, posture—pay compound physical and mental health dividends.
- VR and visualization can measurably shift mind–body connection and help treat pain/anxiety.
- Understanding your “gravitype” can demystify your unique mind–body emotional patterns—and guide more personalized wellness approaches.
Closing Reflection (John Miles)
"Gravity isn’t just physics, it’s a lever for health, resilience, and intentional living… by working with gravity through daily habits, nervous system training, and mindful movement, you can literally and metaphorically lift yourself." (53:13)
Next Episode Preview:
Up next: Dr. Bobby Parmar on radical doubt and uncertainty as a tool for meaning and thoughtful decision-making in turbulent times. (54:21)
For more:
- Behind-the-scenes insights and workbooks: theignitedlife.net
- Watch the episode: Youtube at Passion Struck Clips / John R. Miles