The brain as we perhaps are already aware of uses a lot of processing power (more than a dozen supercomputers worth every single second) just to contend with the massive strain that gravity and external stimuli places on our entire being.
In a floatation tank these external elements are almost completely blotted out as the body is completely supported by a highly concentrated solution of Epsom salt that results us feeling weightless and coupled with the fact that these tanks are also sound, light and smell proof, the brain is left with little to do enabling almost every muscle in our body to completely move into a relaxed state.
When there is little or no command sent out to manage things the total amount of activity involving the logical components of our brain to slow down just enough for it to synchronise with our creative components which leaves a floater in a dream-like state. These are the same states that we experience just when we are about to fall asleep triggering the release of significant amounts of endorphins which in essence is a ‘feel good’ chemical.
Despite, being in this state of deep relaxation, the brain nevertheless remains dreamily alert. From a technical perspective the brain starts to shift from being in its ‘standard’ alpha state towards the theta states.
These are different levels of ‘brain wave activity’ which impact us differently at each state. The ‘Theta’ state is similar to the state that Yogis or Monks who have been practicing the art of meditation for years achieve after hours of meditation, but with floatation tank therapy, this happens within minutes!
So what is good about being in this state of mind?
First and foremost, it brings people to a state of mind whereby they are at peace and feel calm. When the human body arrives into this state, it naturally relieves itself from unnecessary strain bringing chemical balances to optimal levels the result of which is projected externally.
Some of these results include the ability to heal faster, the ability to solve problems more quickly, being able to focus better and gaining a higher sense of creativity not to mention having a generally better mood.
The more often an individual feels this way, the better chance the body has to recuperate and optimise its autoimmune response system, stabilise our internal pressure system, oxygenation levels and reducing the production of stress hormones or hormones that cause stress such as adrenalin and cortisol which cause other health problems eventually.
Many people are under the notion that floatation therapy is something new, but it is not. The concept was introduced to the world by John C. Lilly in 1954, who was an eccentric researcher who was popular for both the right and wrong reasons due to his strange but innovative scientific approach towards the world around him.
He was responsible for creating the first float tank and labelled the therapy conducted in this tank R.E.S.T or Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy.
However, he and his work were not taken seriously for a very long time until about 2 decades ago and the therapy has since gained popularity at mind boggling speed due to its immense significance to the medical community.
