A sensory deprivation tank, is a dark, soundproof tank that contains a foot of salt water. It is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy or REST. Sometimes the tank is called an isolation tank or a flotation tank. The first tank was made by John C. Lilly in 1954. He says the reason he first made the tank was, “to study the origins of consciousness by cutting off all external stimuli”, according to healthline.

Some studies from  PubMed central  have shown that a single one-hour session in a sensory deprivation tank is capable of a significant reduction in anxiety and improvement in mood in the study of fifty participants with stress and anxiety-related disorders. It is shown to be effective in treating tension headaches, muscle tension, and pain. There are many claims about causing feelings of overwhelming happiness and euphoria. The water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and is saturated with thirty-three percent Epsom salt. This provides buoyancy so you float more easily. 

Once someone enters the tank they are cut off from all outside stimulation including sound, sight, and gravity when the tank’s lid or door is closed. As someone floats weightless in the silence and darkness, their brain is supposed to enter into a deeply relaxed state. Sensory deprivation tank therapy is said to produce several effects on the brain, ranging from hallucinations to enhanced creativity.

Owning a tank costs between 10 to 30 thousand dollars. The cost at a floatation center or spa for a one hour session is about 50 to 100 dollars. According to float academy, a person first arrives at the flotation center or spa, showing up early if it’s their first visit. Then they remove all of their clothing and jewelry. Showering before entering the tank is important and often required. After entering the tank, the door or lid is closed. They then gently lie back and let the buoyancy of the water help them float. Music plays for 10 minutes at the start of a session to help the person relax. The float lasts for an hour. Music also plays for the last five minutes of a session. After a session, people must get out and shower once again.

When floating, it is best to avoid caffeine for 4 to 6 hours beforehand. Eating a snack within 60 to 90 minutes of the start of a float is recommended.  Eating is recommended because it reduces the chances of you becoming hungry during the session and the chance of your belly growling. Shaving or waxing the day of your float is not recommended because the 33% salt water solution can irritate the skin. Floating can be a good way for students to relax from stress or if they suffer from anxiety. Floating can be a very good way to calm and relax.