FLOAT THERAPY

Benefits of using a sensory deprivation tank

Regular use of sensory deprivation tanks has been shown to have numerous positive effects on mental health and emotional well-being. Some key benefits include:



Enhanced creativity - By eliminating external distractions, float pools and sensory deprivation tanks create an environment that fosters creativity and imagination. Many people report experiencing a surge in creative thinking and problem-solving abilities after a float session.

How Float Spa Visits Increase Creativity

Float sessions often initiate creative inspiration. In fact, by unlocking new lines of communication along our neural pathways, float therapy helps to:

  • Rid established patterns.

  • Stimulate creative thinking.

  • Engage our imaginations.

Learning and Executive Thinking

Another clinically studied benefit of flotation therapy is the ability to learn more quickly and apply higher cognitive thought processes to answering test questions. A 1990 neuroimaging study found that adults who experienced 60 minutes in a sensory deprivation tank showed increased EEG activity when answering difficult questions. The non-flotation (control) group did not show the same EEG activity and had more problems answering logic-type questions.

Endorphin Release and Possible Pain Relief

A review of dozens of floatation tank studies suggests that just one session promotes the release of endorphins while lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels in the bloodstream. Elevated cortisol levels are known to contribute to the development of chronic diseases like hypertension and high cholesterol. Some subjects participating in the study reported relief of muscle tension pain, but more studies are needed to support this finding.

Positive Effects on the Circulatory System

A few studies discovered that flotation therapy helped “normalize” blood pressure, decrease blood cortisol levels and reduce mean arterial pressure in a group of young adults. These benefits could be attributed to the ability of float therapy to dilate blood vessels and improve the flow of oxygen to all areas of the body.

REST as Treatment for Addictions

Recent studies have not been conducted regarding the ability of flotation therapy to help people with substance addiction. However, one older study involving long-term smokers found that subjects receiving REST for one year were less likely to relapse than those who engaged in behavioral self-management only. Proponents of flotation tank therapy suggest that incorporating this type of therapy with a substance abuse program may help reduce cravings by providing individuals with a natural way to alleviate anxiety and achieve a sense of “relief and serenity.”

Stress reduction - Sensory deprivation tanks provide a unique opportunity to disconnect from the outside world and let go of stress and tension. The calm and tranquil environment of an isolation tank can help to quiet the mind and promote relaxation, allowing individuals to recharge and rejuvenate.

Find 6 of the world’s most advanced sensory deprivation tanks at our Old Street centre.

Reduced anxiety - Sensory deprivation tanks have been found to be effective in reducing anxiety and promoting a sense of calm. The absence of external stimuli allows people to focus on their breath and inner thoughts, helping to alleviate anxiety, improve sleep, and promote a state of mental well-being.

The Epsom salts used in floatation therapy are high grade Magnesium sulfate. There is major research underway which seeks to prove magnesium absorption through skin – many think float therapy can remedy an individual’s magnesium deficiency, with anecdotal evidence to suggest it reduces restless leg syndrome, among other related symptoms.

Magnesium also inhibits ACTH, which is a driver in your body to boost the secretion of stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol reduction has regularly been shown to top 20% from 60 minutes in a float tank. Greater benefits are felt by people with higher stress levels, as might be expected.

Whilst it might be easy to think of reducing stress as a positive in itself, the secondary benefits of this can be vast.

Immediate effects such as sharper focus, better concentration, enhanced creativity, faster learning, and improved memory have all been shown to come following floatation.

Longer term studies are needed to show how sustained floatation tank use can promote expected long term health benefits from reduced stress, though it seems logical that a practice which promotes a healthy balance of cortisol and adrenaline might reduce the risk of chronic stress related illness.

Improved sleep - The deep state of relaxation achieved in a sensory deprivation tank can have a significant impact on sleep quality. Many people find that spending time in a float tank before bed helps them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and wake up feeling refreshed.

One of the largest studies on sleep ever conducted, found that 50% of us in the UK fail to get enough of it. The Guardian describes getting good sleep as the best thing you can do for your health. Floating helps sleep, so perhaps floating is actually the best thing you can do for your health.

Floating brings your parasympathetic system back into balance, and the reduction of cortisol and adrenaline again have been shown to clear the path for a deeper, more restorative sleep. Cortisol levels are naturally at their greatest in the morning, at which time they help people achieve the energy and alertness required to wake and begin the day.

Cortisol levels should naturally reduce towards the evening, and higher than ordinary levels can disrupt sleep. Rest is important for the body to manage cortisol levels, so not prioritising rest can even cause cortisol to maintain above healthy levels.

By reducing cortisol, floating also might aid the body to maintain healthier melatonin levels, a hormone that helps the transition to sleep each night.

Increased mindfulness - Floating in a sensory deprivation tank encourages a heightened sense of self-awareness which can improve concentration and increase mindfulness. The absence of distractions allows individuals to fully immerse themselves in the present moment, promoting a deep sense of peace and clarity.



What Does Science Say About the Benefits of Sensory Deprivation?

The number of peer-reviewed studies conducted on the mental and physical benefits of REST is not only substantial but indicates that engaging in no more than 60 to 90 minutes of flotation therapy on an as-needed basis offers many health advantages.

A recent study funded by the Laureate Institute for Brain Research involved 50 adults with mental health disorders (PTSD, agoraphobia, and social and generalized anxiety disorder). Following a one-hour float tank session, subjects were asked about their experiences while inside the tank. Some of their descriptions included:

  • “I felt out of my body but in a pleasant way.”

  • “I felt detached from everything in a good way.”

  • “I felt like I was floating in a sanctuary.”

  • “I saw colors and lights that were relaxing and pretty.”

  • “I saw light flashes resembling starbursts … it was really beautiful.”

  • “I felt serene and peaceful.”

  • “I felt completely refreshed like my mind and body had been reset.”

Researchers further noted a “robust” reduction in anxiety across all subgroups of anxiety disorders. Additionally, flotation therapy induced significant decreases in muscle tension, stress, depression, and general negative emotions. Subjects later reported still feeling energized, refreshed, relaxed, and peaceful.

A 2017 study showed some intriguing results on how brain activity alters during floating, in ways that mimic aspects of sleep itself. Using an EEG to monitor brainwaves, it was shown that brain activity and consciousness reached deep states of relaxation – commonly people reached ‘Theta state’, which is where brainwaves actually slow down similar to during Stage 1 sleep. During Stage 1 sleep, the body is in a regenerative state, consciousness is mixed between waking and sleeping, blood pressure drops, and people’s thoughts can roam with a feeling of being cut free from time.

Sensory-deprivation tank therapy cuts out outside stimuli like fluctuations in:

  • Light

  • Sound

  • Temperature

  • Helps alleviates headaches

  • Improves sleep quality

  • May release muscle pain and tension

  • Might reduce depression symptoms

  • Reduces blood pressure and heart rate

  • Relieves anxiety and stress

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Physical Benefits of Floatation Therapy