Liver specialist questions brain health claims of Deepinder Goyal’s wearable device
Hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips has challenged the scientific basis of the ₹85,000 Temple wearable.
Hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, known as The Liver Doc, has questioned the scientific validity and utility of a new wearable device called Temple, according to a report by The Indian Express. The device, which is priced at ₹85,000 for pre-booking, is designed to be attached to the side of the head to monitor blood flow and provide insights into brain ageing.
The wearable was developed under a research initiative by Deepinder Goyal and is linked to the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis. This hypothesis suggests that the effect of gravity on blood circulation over a lifetime may contribute to brain ageing, though it remains a research hypothesis rather than an established fact.
Dr Philips argued on X that cognitive health cannot be determined solely by blood circulation, noting that brain function involves complex processes like neurotransmitters and metabolism. He also raised concerns regarding whether a sensor at a single point on the head can accurately represent circulation across the entire brain network.
Dr Praveen Gupta, Chairman of Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro & Spine (MAIINS) in Gurugram, stated that a single-location sensor might detect a signal at the temple, but this does not reflect blood flow throughout the whole brain. He added that the brain uses compensatory mechanisms to maintain circulation even when certain vessels are narrowed.
Dr Gupta further noted that there is no established scientific evidence that the everyday effects of gravity progressively damage the brain or accelerate ageing. He stated that determining if measurements have predictive value for neurological disease would require longitudinal research following participants over several years.