General Information

Floatation REST, otherwise referred to as Floating, was developed in America and is for many Europeans a fairly new concept. Floating is relaxing on a bed of salt water in an atmosphere of total calm and warmth. Floating can be used for several reasons such as a means to total relaxation, a tool within a medical therapeutic program, as well as preventive reasons such as against stress, sport injuries etc. But what does Floating mean exactly, how was it developed and who uses the floatation tanks?

What is floatation REST?

Floatation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) is floating on top of a 10" deep pool of salt water in an especially designed floatation tank, which resembles a large enclosed bathtub. It is constructed from fibreglass and is built so as to eliminate all outside distractions such as sight, sound, tactile sensations, and gravity. A large amount of Epsom salts is added to the water to create optimal buoyancy. The water is warmed to a temperature of 35.5 centigrade. All these elements help create an atmosphere in which one can achieve a profound feeling of relaxation and well-being.

The development of the floatation tank

The first floatation tank was developed in 1950 by the American neurophysiologist Professor Dr John C. Lilly while working at the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, Maryland. Together with his associate Dr. Jay Shirley, Dr. Lilly became intrigued by the question of the origins of conscious activity within the brain. The question was whether the brain needed external stimuli to keep its conscious states going.

Lilly and his associate set to work trying to devise a system that would restrict environmental stimulation as much as was practical and feasible. Lilly's first float tank was one in which the floater was suspended upright, entirely underwater, head completely covered by an underwater breathing apparatus and mask.

Over the years Lilly continued his experiments with floatation, simplifying and improving the general design of the floatation tank. Dr. Lilly found that he could float in a more relaxing supine position, rather than suspended feet downward in fresh water, if more buoyant salt water was used. Other refinements, such as water heaters with thermostats sensitive enough to keep the water at perfect temperature, an air pump to keep the air in the float tank fresh, and a water filter for the reuse of the Epsom salts, were added over the years. By the early 1970's, Lilly had perfected the floatation tank in much the design used today.

Floatation REST Research

The floatation tank which the neurophysiologist Dr. Lilly designed has not only been used by neurologists at university medical faculties. Scientists in other fields of research have shown increasing interest in the floatation tank and its effects on the human body and mind. In 1982, International REST Investigators Society (IRIS) was founded in order to give the increased number of REST researchers a platform to share their research findings.

The goal of IRIS is to make a communication network available to REST researchers and those interested in REST and to organise an International REST conference every three years. The research papers which have been presented at these conferences have been published in books.

If you are interested in certain research topics concerning the effects of Floating for example the effects of Floating on the enhancement of creativity, enhancement of performance (incl, sports), stress management, biological effects, psycho physiological effects, hypnosis, skin disease, treatment of habit disorders or treatment of physical and psychological disorders such as anxiety, children with autism, pre-menstrual syndrome, chronic pain, rheumatoid arthritis & fibromyalgie.

Who uses floatation tanks?

For several years the floatation tanks were solely used by researchers in university laboratories or by private individuals. In 1983 however, Floating increased in popularity as more became known about Floating and its effects.

Today, floatation tanks can be found in health spas, beauty farms, bio-fitness institutes, hospitals, fitness centres, professional sports clubs, and big companies and are used for "super-learning" courses by some American Universities. Floatation REST can be used for many different reasons. For this reason, the float tank can be of use to many different types of people and institutes.

The effects of floating

Following is a short list of some of the effects which have been reported by researchers and/or users:

• Promotes total calm, peaceful relaxation, eliminates fatigue and jet lag; improves sleep; alleviates stress- mental and physical; energises, rejuvenates and revitalises.

• Stimulates left/right brain synchronisation; shifts brain waves from Beta to lower frequency Alpha, Theta and even Delta.; creates mental clarity, alertness; increases creativity, problem solving; heightens visualisation; deepens meditation; expands awareness, intensifies acuteness of all the senses, accelerates learning.

• Enhances hypnotherapy and self-hypnosis; increases motivation, diminishes depression, anxiety and fear; facilitates freedom from habits, phobias and addictions.

• Improves athletic performance and helps prevent sports injuries, speeds healing process.

• Decreases the production of Cortisol, ACTH, Lactic Acid and Adrenaline; Increases production of endorphins; quickens rehabilitation and recovery; relieves pain- arthritis, migraines, injuries etc.; boosts immune function.

• Improves circulation and distribution of oxygen and nutrients; reduces blood pressure, pulse, heart rate and oxygen consumption.