I've had an interest in float tanks (aka sensory deprivation chambers) for years now, but I've never gotten the chance to try one out. Nowhere around here has any, and they are very expensive ($4500 for the cheapest one).

Has anyone here ever tried one out, and if so did you find it helped your mental state at all?

For those unfamiliar with what they are, they're basically a pod with super salty water inside.



Because of the amount of salt in the water, your body will refuse to sink... similar to the Dead Sea. Once you're inside the pod the hatch is shut, and it seals out all light and sound from the outside. The temperature of the air and water are both kept around your body's natural temperature, and so it (supposedly) feels like you're floating in nothingness. Because your senses are all being deprived of any sensations, it allows your mind to completely shed all of those distractions. You can enter into deep meditation very easily, or begin to have mild hallucinations (sort of like hypnagogic imagery when you're falling on the verge of sleep).

I'm thinking perhaps with all my physical symptoms that accompany my PTSD and anxieties, maybe if I remove myself from experiencing any outside stimuli I'd be able to finally get to the core of those issues. Or at the very least, just get some reprieve from those symptoms.

Has anyone had any experience with these things?

[ArthurDent]

I've never tried them either, but thanks for starting this thread. I've been interested in them for many years.

[Altered Moment]

I would love to try it too and I can see where it would work to get into a deep meditative state. I would think you would need some practice at meditation though. The mind can be hard to shut off in any environment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I would love to try one, too. I do know someone who did and found it very grounding.

Wow, I've found out that there are a number of float spas quite close to where I live. I won't be surprised if the concept catches on and becomes more popular. Actually, the only aspect of the float tank I'm not very fond of is that once the lid is closed it's completely dark. I'd prefer a light...maybe the way it feels to lie in a tanning bed. But, I understand too that the darkness is a part of complete sensory deprivation. Anyway, here's a good link:

FAQ | Om Float Spa

Oh - wait - there are some tanks that use infrared light while you're floating. I would like to try this place this summer (about 85 miles from where I live): http://www.floatmatrix.com/index.php/ir-sauna

[Calm]

The idea I find very interesting except for being enclosed completely. When I would swim in the ocean, I'd swim out past the surf and just simply float with the water rocking me back and forth. I always found that very soothing and utterly calming. It's the same as when I'm in my kayak and stop paddling. I just sit, relax, and let the water rock my yak. It's very, very comforting.

Originally Posted by Calm

The idea I find very interesting except for being enclosed completely. When I would swim in the ocean, I'd swim out past the surf and just simply float with the water rocking me back and forth. I always found that very soothing and utterly calming. It's the same as when I'm in my kayak and stop paddling. I just sit, relax, and let the water rock my yak. It's very, very comforting.

Hmm. Good idea.

[ZehR]

Schizotypal with ADHD. I need a really loud fan and noises to sleep like some people in this age of noise pollution that can't ween off of it.

I would probably go completely nuts lol and it should be really.. really.. really.. trippy.. because even normal social isolation can cause distress but I so want to try this

[emmyk]

I think I would get claustrophobic... I don't like small spaces. Plus, I don't know if they change the water between people. I have always wanted to try it though.

[Hellion]

I don't really think it would do anything to help me in the long term...however if given the opportunity I think it would be interesting to try since I've tried meditation and what not with not much luck...though my goal would be to try and reach some lucid state and play around with that not so much 'psychotherapy' and the minor hallucinations sounds intriguing...but I think too long in one of those things could drive me or anyone else insane to. Also my deep state of meditation or whatever could bring up some things that are difficult and/or horrifying to face so there is that to but it couldn't be too much worse than that bad mushroom trip I had.

Honestly the only time I've heard of sensory deprivation is in a negative light, such as being used to torment someone....interesting that sort of thing could have therapeutic value as well based on that.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I would love to try it too and I can see where it would work to get into a deep meditative state. I would think you would need some practice at meditation though. The mind can be hard to shut off in any environment.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well I think the whole idea is to replicate not being in an environment at all from the sound of it..since environments have things to set off sensory input.

[vans1974]

Originally Posted by Trebyn

I've had an interest in float tanks (aka sensory deprivation chambers) for years now, but I've never gotten the chance to try one out. Nowhere around here has any, and they are very expensive ($4500 for the cheapest one).

Has anyone here ever tried one out, and if so did you find it helped your mental state at all?

For those unfamiliar with what they are, they're basically a pod with super salty water inside.



Because of the amount of salt in the water, your body will refuse to sink... similar to the Dead Sea. Once you're inside the pod the hatch is shut, and it seals out all light and sound from the outside. The temperature of the air and water are both kept around your body's natural temperature, and so it (supposedly) feels like you're floating in nothingness. Because your senses are all being deprived of any sensations, it allows your mind to completely shed all of those distractions. You can enter into deep meditation very easily, or begin to have mild hallucinations (sort of like hypnagogic imagery when you're falling on the verge of sleep).

I'm thinking perhaps with all my physical symptoms that accompany my PTSD and anxieties, maybe if I remove myself from experiencing any outside stimuli I'd be able to finally get to the core of those issues. Or at the very least, just get some reprieve from those symptoms.

Has anyone had any experience with these things?

I'd love to try it, mindfulness kind of works for me. You might just look into Nefazodone for PTSD, MDD, OCD, GAD and kind of helps with sleep...it's my favorite AD! Good luck!

[venusss]

I heard many positive things about it. May try it in the future if I need to get out of bad state.

The closest I reckon I've ever gotten to this is in a warm to hot bathtub with lavender epsom salts and a good pair of earplugs to keep noise at bay and water out of my ears ... It is relaxing to do deep breathing exercises in this state while repeating mantras to the rhythm of the deep breathing ... I always feel totally relaxed and refreshed after 20 - 30 minutes of doing this ... And, for added effect you can turn out the lights and use candles and/or close your eyes the entire time you're doing it.

Sincerely,
Pfrog!