ABOUT FLOATING

Sensory Deprivation

Floating is an amazing tool for anyone seeking deep relaxation, physical recovery, pain management, or enhanced learning. The experience takes place in specialized float tanks (also known as sensory deprivation tanks), such as float pods, pools, cabins or rooms, all designed to create an environment of total serenity. Each float tank contains about ten inches of water heated to skin temperature (around 94°F) and infused with 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt, making the water so buoyant that floating becomes effortless. The air inside the tank is also maintained to a similar temperature, and with your ears submerged, external sounds are dampened, allowing for a truly immersive experience. You are in complete control of the environment, with the option to close the door and turn off the lights, plunging you into complete darkness. The user is free from all distraction and the controlled environment makes it challenging to distinguish where the body ends and the water and air begin, leading to a profound sense of weightlessness and relaxation. The buoyant solution takes the pressure off your muscles and joints, while the magnesium-rich Epsom salt provides additional benefits, such as reducing inflammation and improved muscle recovery. Floating is a powerful way to unwind both body and mind, offering a unique escape from the stresses of everyday life.

Benefits of FLOATING

Gravity
Reduction

Experience the benefits of reducing the effects of gravity on the body. In the buoyant environment of a float tank, muscles and joints can fully relax, alleviating tension and pain. This weightless sensation not only provides physical relief but also promotes deep mental relaxation. As the body floats effortlessly, the mind can unwind, reducing stress and anxiety while enhancing mental clarity and creativity. The reduction of gravitational pressure offers a unique opportunity for holistic rejuvenation, making floatation therapy a powerful tool for physical recovery and mental well-being.

Gravity reduction can aid in the treatment of many medical conditions including:

Arthritis
Scoliosis
Fibromyalgia

Aids with:

Faster healing of broken bones and sprained joints
Relief from neck and back pain
Better spinal and structural alignment
Faster physical rehabilitation
The reduction of lactic acid
Improved reaction time
Strengthening of the immune system
Discomfort during pregnancy

Magnesium Sulfate (aka Epsom salt)

Magnesium sulfate, commonly known as Epsom salt, offers numerous health benefits. It supports over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, aiding in muscle and nerve function, energy production, and regulation of blood pressure. Magnesium helps reduce inflammation, relieve stress, and improve sleep quality. Many people are deficient in magnesium. When absorbed through the skin, as in floatation therapy, magnesium sulfate can help replenish magnesium levels, relax muscles, and ease pain. It also promotes improved skin health and is a powerful mineral for maintaining physical and mental well-being.

Magnesium helps to:

Regulate and catalyze production of over three hundred enzymes
Facilitate calcium absorption
Shorten duration of migraine symptoms
Lessen the symptoms of PMS

…and helps to prevent:

Diabetes
Asthma
Osteoporosis
Stroke
Heart Attack

Sensory
Reduction

Today’s fast paced society bombards our lives with near constant stimulation, leaving us both physically and mentally overwhelmed and exhausted. By minimizing external stimuli, such as in a float tank, the brain is able to enter a deeply relaxed state, promoting stress relief and reducing anxiety. This environment can enhance mindfulness and meditation, leading to improved mental clarity and focus. Physically, sensory reduction allows the body to fully relax, lowering cortisol levels and easing muscle tension. It also encourages the brain to enter the theta state, associated with creativity and problem-solving. This sensory reduction can have a hugely positive impact on stress-related disorders and can aid in restoring balance to both mind and body.

Sensory reduction can ease the symptoms of many disorders including:

Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Apoplexy or stroke
Coronary heart disease
Ulcers
Migraine or tension headaches
Arthritis
PTSD
Depression
Autism
Jet Lag
Insomnia

Aids with:

Enhanced creativity
Increase in overall well being
Increased memorization skills
Increased language and skill acquisition
Lessening addiction to pharmaceuticals, smoking, alcohol, narcotics

History of FLOATING

The First Float Tank

Floatation therapy was developed in the 1950s by neuroscientist Dr. John C. Lilly, who created the first isolation tank to study the effects of sensory deprivation on the human mind. Initially used for research into consciousness and altered states, the practice evolved into a therapeutic tool for relaxation. In the 1970s, Glenn and Lee Perry, inspired by Lilly’s work, built the first commercial float tank and opened the Samadhi Tank Company, making floatation therapy more accessible to the public. The Perry’s also established The Floatation Tank Association (FTA) in 1983 to promote and support the growing floatation therapy industry, an organization that remains a leading voice in the industry today.

The FTA mission is to set best practices and standards for floatation tank construction, maintenance, and operation, ensuring a safe and effective experience for users. The association has also played a role in raising public awareness about the benefits of floatation therapy, advocating for research, and providing resources for both float center owners and enthusiasts. Today, the association continues to be a leading voice, supporting the growth and development of floatation therapy worldwide through education, promoting best practices, and supporting continued research in the field. James and Amy Harder have supported this work and the growth of the industry at large through countless volunteer hours spent on multiple committees of the FTA as well as both holding seats on the Board Of Directors.

Despite a decline in public interest during the 1990s, the practice of floating saw a resurgence in the 2000s as studies highlighted its mental and physical health benefits. Today, floatation therapy is widely recognized for reducing stress, alleviating pain, and enhancing mental clarity, making it a popular wellness practice worldwide. Many celebrities and athletes, including Joe Rogan and Steph Curry, use floatation therapy for relaxation, recovery, and mental clarity.

Dr. John C. Lilly

Lee & Glenn Perry

Commercial Use

Glenn and Lee Perry, inspired by Dr. John C. Lilly, founded the Samadhi Tank Company in 1972, pioneering one of the first commercial float centers in Beverly Hills. Their center, guided by Lilly’s work on sensory deprivation tanks, provided individuals with a unique and therapeutic experience. Offering sensory isolation in warm, buoyant water, the float center rapidly gained popularity for relaxation and stress relief. Beyond their commercial venture, the Perrys remained influential in the floatation community, contributing to the growth of this transformative practice. Their legacy includes board membership in the Float Tank Association and the book “Floating In Quiet Darkness.”

Research & State of the Industry

Research on floatation therapy has evolved significantly since its inception. Early studies in the 1950s and 1960s, led by Dr. John C. Lilly, focused on sensory deprivation and its effects on consciousness and brain function. These initial studies paved the way for further research into the therapeutic benefits of floatation.

In the 1980s and 1990s, research expanded to explore the physiological and psychological benefits of floatation therapy, including stress reduction, pain relief, and enhanced relaxation. During this period, Dr. Peter Suedfeld and Dr. Roderick Borrie conducted notable studies that highlighted the therapy’s potential for reducing stress and improving mental health, coining the term Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST).

In recent years, Dr. Justin Feinstein, a leading figure in modern floatation research, has conducted groundbreaking studies at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR). His work has focused on the effects of floatation therapy on anxiety, depression, and stress-related disorders. Feinstein’s research has shown that floatation can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and improve mood, leading to increased interest in the therapy’s potential as a mental health treatment.

The Floatation Research Collective (FRC), founded by Feinstein and colleagues, has further advanced the study of floatation therapy. The FRC collaborates with researchers, clinicians, and float centers to promote rigorous scientific investigation into the benefits of floatation. Their work aims to establish standardized protocols and gather empirical data to support the integration of floatation therapy into mainstream healthcare.

Overall, the research on floatation therapy has evolved from early explorations of sensory deprivation to a focus on its therapeutic benefits for mental and physical health, with ongoing studies continuing to expand our understanding of this unique form of therapy.

Dr. Peter Suedfeld & Dr. Roderick Borrie