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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isolation_tank
An isolation tank, usually called a sensory deprivation tank (also known as float tank, flotation tank, or sensory attenuation tank) is a lightless, soundproof tank filled with salt water at skin temperature, in which individuals float. Flotation is widely advertised as a form of alternative medicine with claims that it has beneficial health effects.
Joe Rogan has always been a huge proponent of this:
Other people, including sportsmen, celebs and scientists have praised the experience. I tried it for the first time last Saturday and my overall impression is... meh. I did not come with high expectations but was still slightly disappointed.
First of all, the session started out with 15 minutes of music by Jean-Michel Jarre which was supposed to "set the tone" but was more of a distraction. Another thing is that either I was making waves somehow or the tank wasn't large enough cause I kept bumping into the walls from time to time, which was distracting and unpleasant since I didn't see it coming (literally). I never actually felt "emerged" to the point of not feeling my body - it was always there, I felt the warmth of the water, my tongue moving in my mouth, the beating of my heart, my breath etc. It probably doesn't help that I had to leave the tank twice during the 1 hr session - once because my neck got very stiff and I went to get a floating head cushion (it helped) and another time because I had to pee (I did pee before entering the tank as advised but still had to go again).
The only two things that were "extraordinary" were:
1. White light patterns that I started seeing after a while due to the complete darkness. They were mildly interesting to watch for a while, though the feeling was also slightly uncomfortable like squinting at one's nose. Once they stopped and I saw sheer blackness again I felt rather relieved.
2. Enhanced hearing. I had ear plugs to prevent water going into the ears but MAN did I hear everything VIVIDLY. When tiny droplets of water fell from the tank's ceiling they really went BANG! When there was rumbling in my stomach it was like the rumbling of a waterfall. And, sadly, I also heard my phone vibrate outside the tank (forgot to turn it off), people entering the facility, steps, doors closing etc. Very distracting and rather unpleasant. So either the tank itself was shit or I have super-hearing.![Stick Out Tongue :p :p](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
When it was over I had a hard time getting up at first because the body got used to floating I guess. After I took a shower and left the room I felt slightly dazed and "soft", like after a long steam bath - in fact it was quite warm in the tank, IMO much warmer than body temperature (which it's supposed to be) since I even felt sweat on my forehead when I was inside.
Maybe I just had a lame experience for some reason but in general it was not nearly as "mind-blowing" as Rogan describes it. I thought about philosophical concepts for a while in the tank too but the thinking wasn't any different from my "regular" thinking about them. No new ideas, no sudden discoveries or sensations, nothing special.
Overall, I can't say it was "bad" but I also can't say it was "great" or "fun". It was definitely a new kind of experience and interesting to witness but I don't think I'll be coming back for more or recommending it to friends.
How about you, Sherbros? Have you tried it? How was it? Discuss.
An isolation tank, usually called a sensory deprivation tank (also known as float tank, flotation tank, or sensory attenuation tank) is a lightless, soundproof tank filled with salt water at skin temperature, in which individuals float. Flotation is widely advertised as a form of alternative medicine with claims that it has beneficial health effects.
Joe Rogan has always been a huge proponent of this:
Other people, including sportsmen, celebs and scientists have praised the experience. I tried it for the first time last Saturday and my overall impression is... meh. I did not come with high expectations but was still slightly disappointed.
First of all, the session started out with 15 minutes of music by Jean-Michel Jarre which was supposed to "set the tone" but was more of a distraction. Another thing is that either I was making waves somehow or the tank wasn't large enough cause I kept bumping into the walls from time to time, which was distracting and unpleasant since I didn't see it coming (literally). I never actually felt "emerged" to the point of not feeling my body - it was always there, I felt the warmth of the water, my tongue moving in my mouth, the beating of my heart, my breath etc. It probably doesn't help that I had to leave the tank twice during the 1 hr session - once because my neck got very stiff and I went to get a floating head cushion (it helped) and another time because I had to pee (I did pee before entering the tank as advised but still had to go again).
The only two things that were "extraordinary" were:
1. White light patterns that I started seeing after a while due to the complete darkness. They were mildly interesting to watch for a while, though the feeling was also slightly uncomfortable like squinting at one's nose. Once they stopped and I saw sheer blackness again I felt rather relieved.
2. Enhanced hearing. I had ear plugs to prevent water going into the ears but MAN did I hear everything VIVIDLY. When tiny droplets of water fell from the tank's ceiling they really went BANG! When there was rumbling in my stomach it was like the rumbling of a waterfall. And, sadly, I also heard my phone vibrate outside the tank (forgot to turn it off), people entering the facility, steps, doors closing etc. Very distracting and rather unpleasant. So either the tank itself was shit or I have super-hearing.
When it was over I had a hard time getting up at first because the body got used to floating I guess. After I took a shower and left the room I felt slightly dazed and "soft", like after a long steam bath - in fact it was quite warm in the tank, IMO much warmer than body temperature (which it's supposed to be) since I even felt sweat on my forehead when I was inside.
Maybe I just had a lame experience for some reason but in general it was not nearly as "mind-blowing" as Rogan describes it. I thought about philosophical concepts for a while in the tank too but the thinking wasn't any different from my "regular" thinking about them. No new ideas, no sudden discoveries or sensations, nothing special.
Overall, I can't say it was "bad" but I also can't say it was "great" or "fun". It was definitely a new kind of experience and interesting to witness but I don't think I'll be coming back for more or recommending it to friends.
How about you, Sherbros? Have you tried it? How was it? Discuss.