Isolation tanks were first developed back in 1954 by John C. Lilly. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuropsychiatrist experimented with sensory deprivation while training at the US National Institute of Mental Health. It wasn’t until around 1972 that a larger commercial interest in isolation tanks happened.
Today, isolation or deprivation tanks are more commonly referred to as float tanks.
Float therapy is a therapeutic experience that allows the body to heal and the mind to recharge with renewed perspective and energy. The density of the water enables the body to float effortlessly allowing every muscle to fully relax. A typical float tank is filled with 11 inches of water and 1000+ pounds of Epsom salt. The water and air are heated to the same temperature as the skin creating the sensation that the body and water are one. Tanks are soundproof and dark, creating a sensation of weightlessness and complete sensory deprivation. This environment is designed to minimize external stimuli and help the mind enter a deeply relaxed state.
The Benefits of Floating
The effects of float therapy extend far beyond simple relaxation. Here are some key benefits:
Stress Reduction: The quiet, serene environment of the float tank allows the mind to unwind, reducing the production of stress hormones like cortisol.
Pain Relief: The buoyancy in the tank takes pressure off joints and muscles, offering relief from chronic pain conditions, fibromyalgia, and arthritis.
Improved Sleep: Regular float therapy can help improve sleep patterns by calming the nervous system and promoting a deeper, more restful sleep.
Enhanced Creativity: Many people report heightened creativity and problem-solving abilities after floating, likely due to the brain entering a more meditative state.
Mental Clarity: The sensory deprivation experience can lead to enhanced focus, mental clarity, and a greater sense of inner peace.
Experiencing Float Therapy
Imagine stepping into a serene, dimly lit room where the hustle and bustle of the outside world starts to fade away. You see a large tank filled with water, warm and inviting. The air is filled with a quiet stillness that immediately soothes your senses. You slowly step into the tank, feeling the soft, silky water, warmed to the exact temperature of your skin. The high concentration of Epsom salts makes the water dense, allowing you to float effortlessly.
As you lay back, your body feels weightless, as if you're floating on air. The water gently cradles you, and the sensation of floating dissolves the boundaries between your body and the water. The tank is dark, and with no light, sound, or gravity to anchor you, you feel as though you’re suspended in space.
Your mind starts to quiet as external distractions fade. You become more aware of your breath, slow and steady. Tension melts away from your muscles, and you feel a deep sense of relaxation washing over you. Time seems to lose meaning as you drift in and out of a meditative state, free from the usual rush of thoughts. In this space, you might experience profound mental clarity or creative insights, or simply enjoy a deep, restorative calm that’s hard to find elsewhere. The worries of the day disappear, leaving you with a profound sense of peace.
As the session comes to an end, a soft light lets you know it’s time to return. You step out of the tank feeling refreshed and recharged, as if you've just woken from a deep, restorative sleep. Your body feels lighter, your mind clearer, and you carry a lasting sense of calm with you as you step back into the world.
Where to Float
There are an array of float therapy centers throughout Southern Nevada. One of our favorite places to float is IMR Float, located at 10870 S. Eastern Avenue, Suite 103 in Henderson. Their facility offers float tanks, saunas and cold plunge. Check them out online at imrfloat.com and follow them on Instagram @imrfloat.
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