American physician and neurologist John C. Lilly created the first tank in 1954. By excluding all extraneous stimuli, Einstein created the tank to investigate the beginnings of awareness. In the 1960s, his studies veered into a contentious direction. At that point, he started experimenting with sensory deprivation while under the influence of the hallucinogen LSD and the fast-acting anaesthetic ketamine, which is renowned for its capacity to sedate and induce trance-like states.
Commercial float tanks were developed and research into their potential health advantages started in the 1970s. With float centres and spas offering float therapy all over the world, it is simple to locate a sensory deprivation tank nowadays. It's possible that the scientific data played a role in their rising popularity. According to studies, floating in a sensory-deprivation tank for a period of time may provide certain health benefits for healthy individuals, including muscular relaxation, improved sleep, a reduction in pain, and a reduction in stress and anxiety.
Almost completely saturated with Epsom salt (magnesium sulphate), the water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and buoyant enough to help you float more comfortably. When the tank's lid or door is closed, you enter it naked and are blocked off from all external stimulus, including sound, sight, and gravity. The brain is meant to get into a highly relaxed state while you float weightlessly in the solitude and darkness. According to certain studies, sensory deprivation tank therapy can affect the brain in a variety of ways, from hallucinations to increased creativity.
Risks
In sensory deprivation tanks, hallucinations have been reported by numerous persons. Studies over the years have demonstrated that sensory deprivation can result in symptoms similar to psychosis. In a 2015 study, 46 participants were split into two groups based on their susceptibility to hallucinations. Both the high-prone and low-prone groups experienced similar effects from sensory deprivation, and those in the high-prone group experienced an increase in the frequency of hallucinations.
If a person does have hallucinations while in the tank, they should end as soon as they get out. Some people find it frightening to be alone in a quiet, dark room for an extended period of time. A person might not like their time in the tank if this is the case.
Although it is possible to really drown in a flotation tank, this catastrophe happens much less frequently than you might think. Avoiding entering a tank when high or otherwise intoxicated is the best method to avoid it.
Benefits
- A sensory deprivation tank can help people with a variety of psychological and physiological ailments, including anxiety disorders, stress, and chronic pain.
- Research has shown that flotation-REST is successful at lowering anxiety. An hour in a sensory deprivation tank was all it took for 50 people with stress- and anxiety-related diseases to noticeably reduce their anxiety and enhance their mood, according to a 2018 study.
- A 2016 research of 46 individuals who self-reported having generalised anxiety disorder (GAD) discovered that it decreased GAD symptoms like depression, sleep issues, irritability, and exhaustion.
- Numerous research have supported the impact of sensory deprivation tank therapy on chronic pain. It has been demonstrated to be successful in alleviating pain, muscle strain, and tension headaches.
- Athletes and those who practise hard for competitions may find use for sensory deprivation tanks. Research suggests that the impacts could be both mental and physical. One short study from 2016 discovered, for instance, that floating treatment enhanced both physical and psychological recovery after training sessions.
- A tiny trial with only seven participants discovered that it was successful in treating diseases linked to whiplash, including stiffness and soreness in the neck as well as decreased range of motion. It has also been demonstrated to lessen pain brought on by stress.
- You can unwind by lying in a sensory-deprivation tank. Although it may not seem so at first, your body will become more accustomed to being submerged underwater the longer you stay in the tank. You'll feel lot calmer after you're through than when you began.
- According to study, flotation-REST therapy may enhance cardiovascular health by promoting profound relaxation that lowers stress levels and enhances sleep. High blood pressure and cardiovascular disease have been related to chronic stress and sleep deprivation.
- There are numerous claims that flotation-REST induces sensations of extreme joy and ecstasy. Following therapy in a sensory deprivation tank, patients have said they felt mildly euphoric, better overall, and more optimistic.
- Other people have spoken of their own spiritual encounters, profound inner serenity, flashes of understanding, and rebirth-like experiences.
- Just as floating in a sensory-deprivation tank can boost your creativity, it can also improve your ability to meditate. Floating might be just what you need if you find it difficult to sit still and block out the outside world in order to concentrate on your breathing.
- Floating in a sensory deprivation tank has been found in a few trials to promote originality, imagination, and intuition, which can all result in increased creativity, according to a paper published in 2014 in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine.
- There is some evidence that sensory deprivation may enhance attention and concentration and may also result in clearer and more exact thinking, even if the majority of the research in this area is older. This has been connected to higher learning and performance in academic settings and across a variety of occupational fields.
- Sensory deprivation tank therapy has a variety of affects on how well athletes perform. In a research involving 24 college students, it was discovered to be beneficial in accelerating recovery following physically demanding training by lowering blood lactate. A 2016 study involving 60 elite athletes discovered that it aided in the psychological recovery process after demanding practise and competition.
- Your skin and hair will appreciate the salt bath you're giving, even if it may not be the main reason you're getting the floating treatment. After taking a shower, there is no need to exfoliate with a scrub or product. The sensory deprivation tank's high salt content exfoliates your skin for you. It will naturally brighten the brilliance while cleansing the body and skin.
- Using sensory deprivation tanks to treat neurological diseases is also very effective. Patients have a sensation of soothing comfort with flotation therapy and treatment. They have no exposure to different settings.
- Patients with PTSD
- People with other mental problems
- Anxiety
The use of the temperature-controlled, soundproof, and lightproof treatment has a considerable positive impact on healing. You feel relaxed after using sensory deprivation chambers. For an hour at a time, they remove you from the wired, internet-dependent world you currently live in. People who are cut off from their surroundings experience a sense of healing and relief that other types of therapy may not be able to. The brain receives a biochemical signal from it telling it to "calm down and relax." The benefits of this type of therapy extend to the mind, body, and spirit. It allows you to breathe, step back, and clear your mind simply because it removes you from a world full of noise and distraction and sets you in a setting of serenity, calm, and tranquilly.
Cost
The price of a sensory deprivation tank for your house might range from $10,000 to $30,000. A one-hour flotation treatment at a flotation facility or float spa can cost anywhere from $50 and $100, depending on the location.
Types
- 30 minute floats - At only 30 minutes, these are the shortest floats that are currently offered. These are mostly made for people who want to try floating but are unsure of whether they will like it or not.
- Floats lasting 45 minutes or less are the norm and are the most common. When visiting The Float Shack for the first time, the majority of guests opt for the 45 minute floats because they offer the most experiences.
- The longest floats on offer, 60-minute "escape" floats let you entirely disconnect from the outside world. The volume of water in the tank will keep you completely submerged while you are lying there, drowning out all sounds. Despite the fact that it is not required, some individuals choose to bring music with them so they can listen to it as they float.
Floatation Tank Varieties
Dr. John C. Lilly, an American neuroscientist, created the first sensory deprivation tank in 1954. He was conducting research at the National Institute of Mental Health at the time.
Pods
They are known as isopods as well. This type of sensory deprivation tank is the most popular. It is also the most advanced due to its numerous parts, cutting-edge 24-hour filtration technology, and a variety of comfort-focused alternatives.
It has a heating and filtration system that is current. Typically, it measures 8.5 feet long, 5.5 feet broad, and around 4.2 feet tall. A Bluetooth connection to your smartphone is frequently possible with an isopod, allowing you to enjoy music while floating. A built-in MP3 player is also present. These tanks also have LED lighting, which is easily adjustable from the floater.
Float Rooms
This might be the preferable option for claustrophobic people. The float chamber, which is open and without doors unlike the isopod yet allows for collective floating, can be great if you wish to float with a friend, for instance. To put it another way, it is similar to a bathtub and is the size of a double bed, yet it contains many of the features of a pod.
Cabin tanks
The name is rather aptly named. These tanks have a door for access, and they resemble a typical bath cabin that is placed into the walls. Step inside, relax, and float with ease.
Rectangle Float Tank
This is the original, traditional style of flotation tank. Due to their smaller size compared to the others, they are also the ones that feel the most cramped. The ceiling frequently slides so that one can enter. In other instances, a hatch is used to give the entrance.
The Float Tent of Zen
This is a ground-breaking instance of imaginative thinking that resulted in a superb solution that does away with the frequent inconvenient and pricey trips to the float spa facility.
A tank that can easily fit in any area is the Zen float tent, which is designed for use at home. It provides unmatched comfort, and at a starting price of $1940, it is a rather cheap option for someone who is serious about floating. The tank is shaped like a tent and is simple to erect in under an hour. Its thoughtfully designed heating and filtration systems enable simple maintenance.
Process
A session in a sensory deprivation tank typically goes as follows, though the procedure may vary significantly depending on the flotation centre:
- If it's your first time, you come early at the floating tank or spa.
- Take off your clothes and jewellery.
- Take a shower before to using the tank.
- Go inside the tank and shut the lid or door.
- Gently recline and allow the water's buoyancy to keep you afloat.
- To assist you unwind, music is played for 10 minutes at the beginning of your session.
- Spend an hour floating.
- The final five minutes of your session are spent to music.
- When your session is over, exit the tank.
- Refresh your shower, then dress.
- It is advised that you eat something about 30 minutes before your session in order to help you unwind and make the most of it. Caffeine should be avoided for four hours prior to the event.
- Women who are menstruating should reschedule their appointment till after their cycle has ended.
- Shaving or waxing prior to a session is not advised because the salt in the water can irritate the skin.
The Sensory Deprivation Tank: What To Anticipate
When you are prepared, you will go into the sensory deprivation tank. In order for you to be completely in the dark and silent within the tank, the doctor, therapist (spa director), will close the lid or door. Lay on your back as directed. Your body will inevitably rise to the surface due to the high sodium content of the water. The body floats naturally thanks to high buoyancy levels. The natural development of these levels, which will make your body feel "lighter" than it may be, can also be aided by emptying your mind and putting aside outside thoughts while in the tank.
When you first enter the sensory deprivation tanks at some spas or floating facilities, music may be played for the first five to ten minutes. This is done to assist people in de-stressing, particularly if it is their first time and they are anxious. Some facilities (particularly medical facilities or therapists) offer patients the option of listening to music or not during their flotation session. Usually, the full session lasts for one hour. People continue to be in the enclosed tank, which is completely dark and quiet.
In some spas or float facilities, the music may be turned back on for the final five minutes of the float session, similar to the initial five to ten minutes. In addition to alerting patients that the session is coming to an end, this aids patients who have dozed off. You step outside, dry off, and take a shower to wash the high salt concentrations from your back, body, and hair once the sensory deprivation tanks are opened at the end of the hour.
Every treatment facility, spa, doctor's office, and physical therapist has their own set of regulations. So, the sequencing or implementation of this fundamental outline may vary slightly. Although most treatments last an hour, they frequently adhere to this (or a very similar) schedule.
Is it Safe?
Almost everyone is very safe using flotation treatment. You can easily reach the floor whenever you need to because the water is only 10 inches deep. You constantly have control over the lighting and pod door because they are so easy to use. For anyone who needs help, each flotation tank has a convenient alarm button.
The opposite of claustrophobic is typically true when inside a flotation pod! It is typical to lose awareness of the physical boundaries around you while you are effortlessly suspended, which causes you to feel as though you are in space. Additionally, flotation therapy's benefits on lowering blood pressure, muscle tension, and anxiety disorders typically work in concert to lessen phobia-inducing sensations. You might see a decrease in phobias following your session because the relaxation techniques presented have been proven to be quite beneficial in treating anxiety.
The greatest benefits of floating are frequently reported by expectant mothers. It may be easier to relax when you feel weightless. A natural remedy for chronic pain, which is frequently felt in the lower back, can be found in increased beta-endorphin secretion, the body's natural painkiller. With no risk of overheating like a hot bath at home can have because the water is precisely calibrated to body temperature, it is very relaxing. A person may become more conscious of internal processes when exposed to fewer outward stimuli, which is an interesting effect. Your own heartbeat may be heard in most people. A higher sense of connection between mother and unborn child has reportedly been made possible in this atmosphere.
Things to Remember
- Go in without any expectations. Everyone has a unique experience floating, so don't put pressure on yourself to have the same mind-blowing or out-of-body sensation as someone else. Instead, focus on relaxing. If you don't want to close your eyes, bring an eye mask.
- Whatever occurs will be great for you.
- Arrive as unhurriedly as you can
- Avoid drinking coffee beforehand.
- There is no need for a bathing suit. The best way to float is without clothing, but if that isn't an option for you, feel free to bring a bathing suit.
- Eat gently, and it's better to float in a suit than not at all. You don't want your body to be preoccupied with digesting a large meal rather than unwinding.
- Limit your fluid intake, and make sure you use the restroom before. It should go without saying that you don't want to ruin your float by putting anything else in the tank except water.
- Face any concerns you may have about flotation therapy head-on, and then let them go. The staff can assist you because they have experienced everything.
- The majority of people discover that their fears typically subside once they are inside the tank, and they joke that they were so anxious.
- Some people discover that they are moving around the tank against their will. Stretch your arms out to the side for 20–30 seconds when you initially enter the water. This provides time for your body and the water to acclimate.
- You shouldn't schedule a float session if you have open wounds, tattoos, or piercings that aren't entirely healed. Additionally, other aesthetic improvements will be impacted.
- If at all possible, get rid of any henna tattoos before your appointment because they will be totally wiped away.
- If you've coloured your hair, a float might diminish the colour.
- It is advisable to avoid using this wellness technique if you have inflammation, such as an ear infection or sensitive skin, as it could make your condition worse.
When utilised correctly, a sensory deprivation tank can help reduce stress as well as pain and stiffness in the muscles. Your mood may also get better as a result. Although sensory deprivation tanks are typically safe, if you have any health issues or questions, it may be a good idea to consult a doctor before using one.
For practically everyone who wants to rid their body of toxins, get rid of the noise, and increase their overall sense of wellness, well-being, and awareness, sensory deprivation tanks have many advantages in the correct setting or atmosphere.
Although the outcomes will vary from user to user, sensory deprivation tanks can offer a number of advantages if they are used appropriately, if the person is in the right state (in a soundproof, dark environment), and if they are in the right attitude. To conclude that sensory deprivation tanks can help persons suffering from injuries, tension, or worry, in decreasing these feelings or pain, under the right circumstances, would require more than the cleansing and therapeutic properties of salt alone.
