Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Brennan Spiegel, MD

@brennanspiegel.bsky.social

390 followers 15 following 77 posts

Chair of Digital Health Ethics at Cedars-Sinai. Professor of Medicine, Public Health, and Biomedical Sciences. GI doctor. Author of VRx & PULL. My lab studies how spatial computing and AI can improve health.

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Feb 5

🌍 Gravity was here long before us—and it’ll be here long after we’re gone. Every part of our bodies evolved to manage this force.

💫 So excited to announce my new book, PULL, which uncovers the force that shapes your body, mind & health.

📖 Releases 10/7: static.macmillan.com/static/smp/p...

2 2 8

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · 7d

🚀 Today’s the day! My new book PULL is officially out in the world.

Grateful for everyone who helped bring this project to life—and excited to share how gravity shapes our bodies, steadies our minds, and guides our health.

Get your copy here: amazon.com/Pull-Gravity-S…

📖🌍

Reposted by Brennan Spiegel, MD

Lachlan Kent @lachkent.bsky.social · 20d

Thrilled to announce my new podcast, "The Gravity Doctors," together with @brennanspiegel.bsky.social. We introduce the world of "Biogravitational Medicine"—how gravity shapes your body and mind for better or worse.

All formats here: lnkd.in/gyviV7HY

YouTube: lnkd.in/gAMB_Eq8

Hope you enjoy!

1 1

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Aug 23

IBD is more than inflammation. Patients can struggle with fatigue, pain, stress, anxiety & depression. In our new paper, we discuss how #VR might support the gut–brain axis, easing psychological comorbidities while complementing physical care. More: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39990506/

1 2 1

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Aug 23

Yes, I know this looks ridiculous 😅. But it works: weighted vest (20 lbs), ankle weights (20 lbs each), standing desk, balance board. My way of sneaking fitness into office hours—and resisting the sedentary pull of gravity 🌍 💪

Because...🧍‍♂️ > 🪑

1 1

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Aug 9

Thrilled that my forthcoming book, PULL: How Gravity Shapes Your Body, Steadies the Mind, and Guides Our Health, has been named one of Next Big Idea Club’s Must-Read Books—curated by Malcolm Gladwell, Susan Cain, Adam Grant & Daniel Pink. So honored! nextbigideaclub.com/magazine/nex...

nextbigideaclub.com

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Aug 6

🌿 Green = Good 🌿
I’m standing in Geiranger, Norway 🇳🇴, surrounded by nature at its most spectacular 🌄. It reminds me of biophilia—our innate love of green, living spaces 🌱. Turns out, nature boosts serotonin 🧠 and lowers stress 😌. I can feel it.

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Jul 19

Ever feel weighed down—literally or figuratively? What if serotonin is the secret to resisting gravity’s pull? Maybe this ancient molecule isn’t just about mood, but about helping us stand up to gravity—body and mind. I explore this idea in my new paper: neurogastrolatamreviews.com/frame_eng.ph...

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Jul 8

Recording my new book PULL… from the only studio with optimal acoustics, shoe inspiration, and flannel ambiance: my closet. 🎙️👞👔 Grateful to the producers and directors at @StMartinsPress for making this audiobook come alive. Book info/pre-order: amazon.com/Pull-Gravity-S…

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Jul 4

"IBS Rates Nearly Doubled During the Pandemic" - @healthday.bsky.social covers our new study examining time trends of #IBS following the COVID-19 pandemic:https://www.healthday.com/health-news/digestive-system/ibs-rates-nearly-doubled-during-the-pandemic

IBS Rates Nearly Doubled During the Pandemic

MONDAY, July 1, 2025 (HealthDay News) — The COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on Americans’ guts, researchers report.Gut disorders like irritable bowel syndrome (IB

www.healthday.com

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Jun 25

How should doctors use AI? What happens if insurance uses AI to deny claims? How should we consent patients when AI is used? How do we train med students in AI? Those are just a few of the questions I discuss this new
@amcollegegastro.bsky.social "Brains and Guts" podcast: gi.org/journals-pub...

Brains & Guts - American College of Gastroenterology

gi.org

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 24

Just over 10 yrs ago, we showed how computers could write a more thorough patient history than doctors. Below is published example, from a decade ago, before LLMs. The tech has exploded since then. What happens now when we pair great tech w/ great docs?
🔗https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25461620/

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 17

Communal #XR might help.

✨ Shared embodiment
✨ Spatialized co-presence
✨ Emotional narratives

These tools don’t replicate in-person connection — but so long as digital distance remains a modern reality, they may offer a scaffolding for empathy to rebuild.

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 17

Empathy erodes as digital distance grows.

⬆️ In-person: mirror neurons fire
▶️ Video/chat: filtered but still human
⬇️ Anonymous online: empathy floor
Can we design tech that bends this line back up? 👇 #DigitalHealth #Empathy

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 16

Exciting day today at #CedarsSinai where we’re hosting “AI in Healthcare: Trust and Accountability,” a joint symposium with the Hastings Center. Program agenda shown. I’ll be joining a panel on ethical use of #AI and #digitalhealth in the community. It’s been very engaging so far!

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 14

Some days it feels like we’re living inside an intractable riddle.

But there’s existential meaning in trying to solve it—even if we never plumb the depths.

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 7

Technology has extended our lives, cured disease, and connected the world—yet rates of anxiety, loneliness, and chronic disease keep rising.

Have we passed the peak of benefit?

If this curve is accurate, what’s our prescription for the descent? More tech? Different tech? Or just disconnect?

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 5

Doctors can't just "touch grass" during 14-hour shifts—but what if they could feel like they did? Today at #DDW2025 I’ll explore how #VR can help address burnout in medical training & beyond—offering biophilic escapes 🌿, real-time biofeedback 💓, and moments of calm in a high-stress world.

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 5

Powerful talk by Kayla Griffin at #DDW2025, sharing her journey as an artist living with #gastroparesis. Misdiagnosed with anorexia and anxiety, told she needed surgery—when it was gastroparesis all along. Her story and art reminded us why listening matters.

2 4

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 2

Just arrived — the first print copies of my new book, PULL! There’s nothing like seeing your book in print for the 1st time. This is the advance reader copy, and I’m beyond excited. PULL “drops” on 10/7. Let the countdown begin! #GravityMedicine
📖🚀✨⏳🧠⚖️ Pre-orders: www.amazon.com/Pull-Gravity...

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 1

Our first guest in our AI in Medicine grad school course is not a data scientist—but our lead Rabbi at Cedars-Sinai, Jason Weiner. He’s exploring the intersection of AI and spirituality: a powerful ethical and theological lens on the future of care. Unexpected. Essential. Impactful.

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 1

History in the making! 🎉 Today we launched the inaugural AI in Medicine class at Cedars-Sinai, led by the renowned @lisagualtieri.bsky.social. This marks a major milestone as we prepare the next generation to lead at the intersection of data, ethics, and clinical care. 🤖🩺 #AI

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · May 1

Thrilled to see our Cedars-Sinai grad students kicking off the new term with one of the most vital courses in health systems: Quality Improvement & Patient Safety, led by Prof. Loretta So. From systems thinking to root cause analysis, these are the skills that save lives. 🏥📊

1 1

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Apr 24

I keep this on my desk at work. It keeps me energized!

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Apr 23

Gravity doesn’t just pull apples—it shapes your body, mind & health 🌍🍎

My new book PULL drops 10/7, but Barnes & Noble is offering 25% off pre-orders through Friday only!

Discover how gravity impacts everything from digestion to depression:
👉 www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pull-brenn...

Brennan Spiegel, MD @brennanspiegel.bsky.social · Apr 23

It’s #VR day at the @uclaanderson School of Business grad class on #HealthTech. This is Justin Barad of Osso VR talking about VR surgical training. I spoke about VR for pain, anxiety, and IBS. Always love teaching the grad students at UCLA!