What are Floatation Tanks?

A friend of mine takes a watery ride to the stars to find out if floatation tanks really can (temporarily) alter your reality.

Yes, I admit it my first reaction to the idea of a floatation tank was seriously cynical. What good could possibly come out of a glorified bath, accompanied, no doubt, by whale music. Was I going to be lectured about releasing negative energy while trapped in a glass tank with crystal-bedecked hippies?

When I arrived at the floatation centre I was relieved to see the staff looked pretty normal. I was, however, given a music menu, consisting entirely of The Spirit of Native America along with assorted brain-fried panpipes and animals screeching in your backyard sounds. But my cynicism turned to interest when I saw the tank itself. It was like a space pod, with buttons inside to shut the door, turn off the light and, comfortingly, call for assistance. I started to look forward to the idea of emerging totally rejuvenated like the old people in Cocoon.

A Pinch of Salt
Floatation tanks are filled with 10 inches of water and Epsom salts and heated to 93.5 degrees- perfect body temperature. And yes, Epsom salts are those same ones used by Victorians and probably one or two grannies, who caught onto the salts ability to draw waste from the body. According to the Floatworks.com website unless you are an astronaut this is the only situation you will encounter where your body is free from the force of gravity?. And theres more, apparently you become so relaxed it balances the two sides of your brain ensuring you are filled with creativity. It?s also good for your skin, good to relax your muscles and good for breaking an addiction. Zero gravity and good skin? Now I really couldn?t wait.

When it came to putting in my earplugs in I got nervous. How would I feel floating in the darkness with total sensory deprivation? Especially in a space age contraption that looked like it could be recalled to the mother ship at any moment?

I neednt have worried. Sinking into the warm, slippery water was wonderful and pretty exciting as I felt the buoyancy catch me and push me to the surface. When lying flat it?s impossible to sink, instead you remain bobbing about on the top of the water. With the lid down the lights in the tank glowed a pale pink, while the thick water and contoured shape made it extremely womb-like.

Earth to Homa
The strangest thing was in the pitch black darkness the tank seemed huge. Lying in the middle I had to check the walls were still there and I hadnt floated into outer space, as my mind obviously had. The oddest thoughts ran through my brain as my body relaxed further and further into comfort. For those with a high-stress lifestyle the introspection and total isolation of the tank would be perfect. A time to let your mind go crazy until it slowly and naturally calms itself down. For athletes or people who just went a bit too far at the gym the tank is great for soothing any aches and pains. The fifty minutes I was in the tank felt like the suspended period of time between sleeping and waking you can never remember the next day.

I even drifted off to sleep towards the end, which is quite safe as its impossible to drown in the tank. When I woke I felt refreshed and a bit restless. When I finally came out it was like Id been in a deep sleep for hours. Even after showering and dressing I was still in a zombie-like stupor.

As I negotiated the crowded tube it was with a chilled-out grin on my face. Lumbering along was all I could manage, although other people, possibly less lazy than me do say they feel energised and invigorated afterwards- personally I was ready for bed! The happy/stupid smile continued well into the afternoon as I reviewed the lovely world in the light of my blissful state. Ommmmmm

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