When Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal appeared on a recent podcast with a small metallic device clipped to his head, the internet couldn’t stop talking. The mysterious gadget simply called Temple device. It has sparked intense debate in both tech and medical communities, with some calling it groundbreaking and others dismissing it as an unproven fancy toy for billionaires.
As someone who regularly covers emerging health tech and wearable innovations. I’ve seen countless devices promise revolutionary health insights. But what exactly is this device and why has it become the center of such fierce controversy? Let’s break down what we know so far.
What Is the Temple Device?
Temple is an experimental wearable sensor developed by Goyal himself that measures cerebral blood flow in real-time. Unlike mainstream fitness trackers like Apple Watch or Fitbit that monitor heart rate or steps. This small device clips onto the temple area of your head and continuously tracks blood circulation to your brain. Particularly when you’re sitting, standing or moving around.
The device emerged from Continue Research a health and longevity venture backed by Goyal and linked to Zomato’s parent company, Eternal. Reports suggest the investment in this project is around $25 million. Goyal has been personally testing Temple on himself for approximately a year as part of his broader exploration into health optimization. A practice known in tech circles as self-experimentation or biohacking.
The Science Behind It: Gravity Ageing Hypothesis
The core concept driving Temple’s development is what Goyal calls the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis. According to this theory, gravity’s constant pull on blood circulation forces the brain to work harder over time, potentially accelerating the aging process. Goyal believes that monitoring cerebral blood flow could be the holy grail of anti-ageing research.
The logic goes like this: when we’re upright throughout the day, gravity makes it more difficult for blood to reach the brain efficiently. By tracking these patterns, users could theoretically identify when their brain isn’t getting optimal blood flow and make adjustments to their posture, activity or lifestyle. It’s an interesting idea that challenges conventional thinking about how aging affects our bodies.
However, it’s important to note that this hypothesis hasn’t been validated through peer-reviewed research or clinical studies. A significant gap that medical professionals have been quick to point out.
Medical Community Pushes Back: What Experts Say
While the concept sounds intriguing, the medical establishment has responded with significant skepticism. Dr. Sudhir Kumar, a senior neurologist from AIIMS, publicly called the device a fancy toy for billionaires. Emphasizing that the health claims remain unverified and lack peer-reviewed scientific data.
Multiple neurologists have specifically debunked the device’s claims, stating that it hasn’t been proven or properly tested through rigorous scientific channels. Medical experts stress that for Temple to gain legitimacy, researchers need to produce and publish peer-reviewed studies supporting its effectiveness.
The criticism centers on several key concerns:
- Limited evidence: There’s minimal scientific research supporting the Gravity Ageing Hypothesis itself as a primary driver of brain aging
- Clinical validity: Experts question whether continuous monitoring of cerebral blood flow in everyday settings provides actionable health insights
- Lack of verification: Without clinical trials and published research. There’s no way to verify whether the device accurately measures what it claims to measure
It’s worth noting that established medical practice requires years of testing and validation before accepting new diagnostic tools. FDA-approved medical devices typically undergo rigorous clinical trials involving hundreds or thousands of participants. The Temple device by contrast, has skipped these traditional checkpoints entirely.
Why the Internet Is Split
The Temple device has divided online opinion sharply. Tech enthusiasts and biohacking advocates see it as an innovative approach to longevity research, praising Goyal for personally experimenting with cutting-edge health technology. One tech founder even called it wild and fascinating applauding the willingness to explore unconventional wellness approaches.
Critics, however argue that without scientific backing. The device represents the problematic trend of wealthy tech executives promoting unproven health interventions. The controversy highlights a broader tension between innovation-minded entrepreneurs and evidence-based medical practice. Social media platforms including Twitter, Reddit and LinkedIn have been buzzing with debates about whether this represents bold experimentation or reckless health claims.
Current Status and Availability
Important note for consumers: Temple remains a research prototype and isn’t commercially available to the public. There’s no announced timeline for when or if the device will ever reach the consumer market. The project appears to be in early experimental stages with Goyal serving as the primary test subject.
Given the medical community’s skepticism, any potential commercial release would likely require extensive clinical testing and regulatory approval from bodies like the FDA or equivalent health authorities. Which could take years if it happens at all. Don’t expect to see this on Amazon anytime soon.
The Bigger Picture: Tech’s Longevity Obsession
The Temple device story reflects larger trends in the tech industry’s increasing focus on longevity and health optimization. From Bryan Johnson’s extreme anti-aging protocols to various startups working on life extension technologies. Silicon Valley’s wealthy are investing heavily in living longer and healthier lives. This represents a multi-billion dollar market that’s attracting both legitimate research and questionable claims.
Whether Temple represents genuine innovation or overreach remains to be seen. What’s clear is that any breakthrough in this space will require not just technological creativity but rigorous scientific validation that can withstand medical scrutiny.
Our Take
For now, the device on Deepinder Goyal’s temple remains more conversation starter than proven solution a fascinating glimpse into where health tech might go. Even if it hasn’t quite arrived there yet. It’s certainly got people talking, and in the world of tech innovation, sometimes that’s where the most interesting developments begin.
However, if you’re interested in monitoring your brain health, stick with established medical assessments and devices that have undergone proper clinical validation. Innovation is exciting, but when it comes to health, evidence matters.
