Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being

Floating in a flotation tank induces an altered state of consciousness, ranging from mild relaxation and changed time perception to powerful perceptual shifts including out-of-body and perinatal experiences. A qualitative analysis of interviews with eight patients suffering from depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain identified 21 categories grouped into four themes: experiences during floating, perceived effects afterward, technical details, and participants' background, motivation, and expectations. Floating was generally perceived as pleasant. These findings may assist professionals and potential users in understanding the effects of flotation tank therapy.

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Abstract

A qualitative analysis (The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method) of interviews involving eight patients (depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain) was carried out in order to obtain knowledge regarding the effects of flotation tank therapy. This knowledge might be helpful for both professionals and potential floaters. The analysis resulted in 21 categories, which were summarized as four themes: (a) experiences during flotation, (b) perceived effects afterwards, (c) technical details, and finally (d) the participants ́ background, motivation, and expectations. Floating was perceived as pleasant. An altered state of consciousness was induced, varying from a milder state including profound relaxation and altered time perception, to more powerful with perceptual changes and profound sensations such as out-o f-body experience s and perinatal experiences.