Relaxing Supine Style- Floating in a Vastly Unsensational Tank

I'm sure that most of us have heard of the idea of Sensory Deprivation and more specifically in the application of an 'isolation tank'. If not, the idea is that you lay floating on your back (supine position) in an elongated, covered tank filled with water that is heated to outer-skin temperature, and usually for a session of 45 minutes. It is filled with Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) creating a saline and sanitary environment around you. This encased tank creates an experience with the goal of limiting sensory input to induce relaxation. So there is limited or no lighting, ear plugs are used to limit auditory input and the temperature of the water works to eliminate tactile sensations.


The tanks were first put to use in 1954 by John C. Lilly with the intention of experimenting on the effects of sensory deprivation and mostly for long periods of time. The results were mostly adverse in longer periods of time as well as when the experience was not chosen by the subjects. The modern use is primarily in the interest of relaxation and is now classified as a CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine).


Beginning in the late 1980's with another more recent push in the last 15 years, a great number of studies have been done analyzing the effects of the practice. My personal assessment of what I've read so far is that the experience is a relaxing one similar to other spa treatments. The evidence points to a few benefits from regular sessions over periods of several weeks. This includes pain relief- although the mechanism is not yet pinpointed, relaxation/stress reduction- similar to several other techniques for relaxation, and similarly has been associated with in the least, mild euphoria, and in exceptional cases, altered states of consciousness (*Altered states have been reported, although this remains unconfirmed by any rigorous study*). For references to all of the related studies please see this study and the one referenced below.

All-in-all I would asses the isolation tanks to be an aesthetically pleasing experiences with a few documented benefits. However, the purveyors of these tanks were found in a recent study to not only exaggerate the true claims but to also invent other claims wholly unconfirmed by science. This particular study from the European Journal of Integrative Medicine is from June of 2014 so it provides a very recent snapshot into the topic of advertising. They analyzed ads from 82 centers located by top hits via google, based on the reasoning that people are most likely to find their information regarding alternative therapies online rather than from medical professionals.

I can't say that their results were particularly surprising either. Nearly every claim made by the website of each center was either exaggerated or entirely baseless. They claimed that it improves athletic ability, caused out-of-body disassociation, hallucinations; can be used to treat arthritis, eczema, depression, addiction, fibromyalgia and that it helped the body maintain homeostasis. So consumer beware; enjoy a brief session of relaxation but don't get suckered into believing the unsubstantiated claims.