In recent years, sensory deprivation tanks have become increasingly popular.
With new research, clinics, and spas opening up nationwide, there's clearly a demand for
this kind of therapy.
Maybe you've heard about sensory deprivation tanks, also called floating, from a favorite
television show or a friend who swears by it, but you're not exactly sure what to make
of it.
Perhaps you have a bit of apprehension about it.
Floating isn't exactly a proven science, but there's been more research about it.
Ready for us to help clear a few things up?
I'm Mike with List25 and Here are 25 Insane Facts About Sensory Deprivation Tanks.
25.
Psychadelic Beginnings The first man to develop and try sensory deprivation
was a neuroscientist named John C. Lilly.
Intermixing hard science with psychedelic drugs and spiritualism, he carved out quite
the niche for himself.
He would do both hard drugs and submerge himself in the sensory deprivation tank.
24.
First Float Tanks While today patients lay flat on their backs
in salt water, in the early trials, they were fully submerged with oxygen masks.
One can only imagine how stressful that might have been and why they needed to change it.
23.
Water Temperature Many people wonder before getting into the
tank whether the water is too cold or not.
Most sensory deprivation tanks keep it at 93.5 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius), give
or take a degree.
The goal is to keep it comfortable so you don't notice it.
22.
Floating So, how in the world do you not drown in these
tanks full of water?
Well, they're filled with 10 inches of water and around 1,000 pounds of Epsom salts, helping
the patient to float.
You're more likely in danger of getting salt in your eyes than drowning.
21.
Senses Sensory deprivation tanks are designed to
remove or dull most of your senses, excluding smell and taste.
Those who have done it say mostly they can't hear or see anything which was still very
effective at eventually making them become both internalized and relaxed.
20.
Time in a Tank There's no known record for the amount of
time spent in a sensory deprivation tank.
But, technically, given the eventual bathroom break and meal, you can stay in as long as
you want.
Seth Stevenson on Slate wrote about spending an entire night in one.
19.
Skin Care Since you're floating in water, some might
be concerned about eventual skin damage from staying in too long.
Fortunately, this isn't the case.
In fact, many report it makes their skin and hair feel soft afterward.
18.
Deprivation Means Deprivation With many sensory deprivation tanks showing
up at spas, some might think they have music or relaxing sounds.
Not the case.
In fact, there's no music, guided meditation, direction, or lights.
It's totally quiet and totally dark.
17.
Expectations are Everything Depending on how you view sensory deprivation
tanks and what you expect from them will likely determine the outcome of your experience.
But, overall, researchers have found since we're wired to be able to pay attention to
a high level of stimuli, having our senses totally dulled or muted causes our brain to
slow down and reach a relaxed state.
16.
Reduces Stress Since sensory deprivation tanks can put you
into a relaxed state, many have claimed to feel less stressed afterward.
Clinical neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein, who researches sensory deprivation, claimed
that this state also allows your nervous system to relax which reduces anxiety.
15.
Reduces Depression and PTSD With its ability to reduce anxiety, it also
has been said to reduce depression and PTSD.
A report in TIME claimed an Austrailian soldier returning from Afghanistan suffered horrible
PTSD and decided to do sensory deprivation therapy.
After three months of floating, many of his symptoms subsided.
14.
Decreases Pain People suffering from migraines and other
chronic pain often feel helpless and aren't sure how to get rid of it.
In a Fox News report, one woman claimed her migraine was reduced after her first time
floating.
And, according to a study by the National Institute of Health, patients in their study
group all experienced reduced pain and muscle tension.
13.
Helps With Addiction Sensory deprivation tanks can help remove
all distractions and make a patient become more meditative and mindful.
According to a study published in Addictive Behaviors, researchers found patients that
regularly floated while trying to quit smoking proved more successful than those that didn't.
12.
Helps Creativity If you're needing a creativity boost, floating
has been said to help.
While in the tank, your brain creates slower brain waves similar to the feeling of right
before falling asleep.
Imagery, intense thoughts, and sudden inspirations have been said to appear for many patients,
allowing them to be more creative.
11.
Heart Health Everyone wants a healthy heart; unfortunately,
stress can put a lot of pressure on it.
Thankfully, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health, sensory deprivation
tanks have lowered blood pressure and heart rates, reducing stress, and allowing for people
to have a more relaxed sleep.
Floating, then, could be a way to stave off heart disease.
10.
Health Hazards While sensory deprivation tanks could have
many health benefits, there are also some health hazards to be aware of.
A study by Public Health Ontario determined that depending on the tank and the sanitizing
methods of the spa, microorganisms could still survive the salinized water and infect other
patients.
Tanks usually don't use a cleaning agent like chlorine.
So, be sure to pick a clean spa.
9.
Pop Culture There have been several movies and television
depicting sensory deprivation tanks over the years.
From the hit television show Stranger Things to Fringe to the psychedelic movie Altered
States, they all usually deal with a mad scientist and the idea of reaching different plains
of existence.
8.
Hallucinations Because you close off many of your senses
in a tank, it's not uncommon for people to experience hallucinations.
In one study, psychologists put 19 patients in a sensory deprivation tank and many reported
visual hallucinations.
Researchers believe this is due to something called "faulty source monitoring" where the
brain misidentifies the source of the experience.
7.
Other Dimensions A long-held myth about these tanks has been
that they can send you to other dimensions.
John C. Lilly likely started this myth with his claims that he frequently traveled to
other dimensions, speaking to other-worldly creatures and advanced civilizations.
It's more likely he experienced what we just talked about: hallucinations.
6.
Cost Every spa's price may vary for an hour of
sensory deprivation therapy.
But, overall, the cost can range from $50 to $100 per hour.
Spas pay a considerable amount for the tanks, salt, and other maintenance supplies.
To buy one tank, it can cost up to $40,000.
5.
Recent Popularity While they have ebbed and flowed over their
short history, they have become especially popular in the last decade.
In 2011, there were only 85 spas with sensory deprivation tanks.
That number ballooned to 300 in 2015.
4.
An Unusual Death Not many deaths have been reported due to
sensory deprivation tanks.
Except, however, one unusual one.
According to the National Institute of Health, a 50-year-old woman died in one due to mixed
drugs, ethanol toxicity, and hypothermia.
The study was intended to see the use and improper use of a flotation tank.
3.
Not To Be Used At Home It doesn't take much searching to find out
how to build your own floatation tank.
Stranger Things certainly popularized this.
And, while it might be tempting to make one, it's probably a better idea to do it under
the care of others rather than yourself.
2.
More Studies Needed Neuroscientists, psychologists, and researchers
continue to study the benefits and effects of sensory deprivation therapy on the human
brain and body.
Still, it should be noted that the research is still in its early stages, and much more
can be done to learn about it.
Neuropsychologist Justin Feinstein, however, is hopeful positive outcomes can come out
of studying it.
1.
Official Research Lab One place focusing entirely on sensory deprivation
tanks is the Float Clinic and Research Center at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research.
This clinic is headed up by Justin Feinstein.
Inside his facility, there are no fully enclosed tanks.
They have no tight enclosure at all.
It's intended for those with severe anxiety disorders to not be afraid.
So, have you ever been in a deprivation tank?
Would you ever want to try it?
Let us know in the comments below.
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