Floating Into Our Unconsciousness
Sensory deprivation chambers, isolation tanks, flotation baths, whatever you want to call them, have been around for over half a century. Throughout history, they have continuously grown and declined in trend and have been used for an array of different purposes. As an avid floater myself, I wanted to talk about the history behind this therapy and some of its benefits.
For some backstory, in 1954, John C. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuropsychiatrist, developed the first isolation tank. This invention came from experimenting with sensory deprivation while training in psychoanalysis at the US National Institute of Mental Health. His goal with creating the tank was to study the effects of sensory deprivation on the mind, eliminating a person’s outside stimuli which would, in turn, assist in learning about human consciousness.
In the 1960’s scientists, including Dr Lilly, began experimenting with the use of psychedelic drugs alongside the use of the tanks. Naturally, this led to controversy and scepticism of Lilly’s work, subsequently plummeting the popularity of the tanks.
Peter Suedfeld, a professor of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, was one of the pioneering researchers in the field of sensory deprivation tanks as well. He had met Dr Lilly and was impressed by his invention, but not with his outlandish methods. He claimed that the tank shifted the brain’s focus from its dominant hemisphere to its non-dominant hemisphere, which had many benefits. However, he has said this can’t be proven because “we can’t yet fit a brain scanner in a tank, or get the scanner wet for that matter.”
In 1972, the tanks re-emerged and found widespread commercial interest and use when Glenn Perry, a computer systems programmer, began selling tanks after attending a 5-day workshop with Dr Lilly. Due to the negative connotations that the term ‘sensory deprivation’ had with consumers, the tanks started being referred to as Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST).
In the 1980’s popularity of the float tanks surged to their peak, especially amongst wealthy consumers with the public visiting ‘float sessions’ or purchasing their own flotation tanks for use at home. With the rise of the AIDS crisis, the uneducated public feared using the public tanks due to the belief they could contract it from the water, which led to the tanks decline again.
After laying obsolete for nearly 20 years, the tanks have risen again in popularity in the past decade, and below we’ll outline some of the known benefits they are said to have.
Mood:
A 2018 study of 50 participants suffering from anxiety and stress-related disorders found that a single hour session in the REST tanks induced “a strong reduction in the state of anxiety and a substantial improvement in mood” in the group.
Concentration and focus:
Studies have shown that the tanks improve focus and concentration, also assist in leading to clearer and more precise thinking. These benefits have been linked to improved learning and enhanced performance in school and career groups.
Athletic performance:
A 2016 study of 60 elite athletes found the tanks improved psychological recovery following intense training and competition.
Creativity:
In a 2014 study, the tanks showed that they could to increasing originality, imagination, intuition and an overall sense of enhanced creativity.
Cardiovascular health:
Cardiovascular disease and high blood pressure have been linked to chronic stress and sleep deprivation. Sensory deprivation tanks have shown to improve deep relaxation, reduce stress levels and improve sleep quality.
Pain relief:
A 2007 study conducted at Karlstad University found that participants with muscle tension-type stress-related pain had experienced relief after 12 sessions in the tank, with significant improvement for those experiencing anxiety, depression, negative moods and poor sleep quality. It has also shown to be effective in treating tension headaches, muscle tension and general pain.
Having seen the way mainstream media has depicted or more or less parodied, floatation tanks, I approached my first float with wild fascination. Would I hallucinate or have an out of body experience? The concepts made me nervous but also made me anticipate the float session more. I had seen that episode of the Simpsons where Lisa and Homer visited a new age shop, and both did a two-hour session in the tanks. She started to hallucinate and see the world from a different perspective while Homer went crazy inside his. These sorts of extreme depictions aren’t uncommon. It was actually a dramatised depiction of the tanks by the book-turned-movie Altered States which helped propel the popularity of the treatment back in the early ’80s. In the movie, William Hurt plays a psychopathologist who is experimenting with floatation tanks under the influence of psychoactive drugs such as LSD and ketamine. Needless to say, the movie takes a horrific turn when the impossible begins to happen.
When I arrived at my appointment, I was greeted by the friendly receptionist and led to a comfortable waiting room. I sat on a sort of day bed that was adorned with beige linen cushions chunky beige throw. There was a lot of beige everywhere I looked - it seemed like more of a day spa than a waiting room, but it set the comforting mood for what was about to take place. I poured myself a cup of tea, (which happened to be my mothers as she stocked her organic teas there), and relaxed in the chair until my room was ready.
Floating tanks of today are chambers with 10 inches of water with over 360kg of Epsom salts or magnesium salt dissolved within it which is what causes the flotation. The air surrounding the tank and the water itself is set at body temperature and, once showered, the lights and relaxing music in the room turn off until your session is over. There is usually an ambient light within the tank itself for those who feel claustrophobic and would prefer to have a bit of illumination during their float.
Once I was in my room, I showered as instructed (to make sure no impurities enter the tank), and slid myself in, closing the lid behind me. Even with my complimentary earplugs I worried about the water getting in my ears and eyes. The ambient coloured lights swirled around me as I found myself in a state of boredom and mild anxiousness. Hoping to relax, I flicked the off switch so not only was it silent but I could no longer see anything either. I must admit that during the first session I found myself being extremely uncomfortable and bored. It also didn’t help that I was floating backwards and forwards and hitting the sides of the tank with my head and feet (due to being 194cm tall). I swore off ever going again but decided to give it another chance about a year ago. Every session since I have found more beneficial - with the ability to relax improving with each float. Recently I had a creativity block regarding another project I’m currently working on and during the float, I was able to clear my head and quite easily realise the ideas I had but couldn’t process.
I aim to go at least once every two months now, I am incredibly relaxed after my sessions and have found the more recent ones have improved some decision making and creativity. Lastly, finding the time to go to float session isn’t possible every day, so I’ve compiled a mix to assist in entering that otherworldly dreamlike state whenever you need 30 minutes to yourself. Hope you enjoy.
With wellness,
Aleksandar
Image 1: Carsten Höller’s ‘Giant Psycho Tank,’ 1999; photograph by Jens Ziehe
Image 2: E.J. Gold’s ‘Restful Peace,’ 1987 from the book ‘Tanks for the Memories - Flotation Tank Talks’ by John C. Lilly & E.J. Gold
Image 3: E.J. Gold’s ‘Are You In There?’ 1987 from the book ‘Tanks for the Memories - Flotation Tank Talks’ by John C. Lilly & E.J. Gold
