Floating, also known as sensory deprivation, is becoming increasingly popular as a way to reduce stress and calm the mind. But what exactly happens in your brain as you lie floating in a dark, silent tank? The answer is fascinating and provides insight into why floating offers so many benefits. In this blog, we dive into the world of floating and explain what occurs in your brain during a float session.
What is floating?
Before we delve into how floating affects the brain, it’s essential to understand what floating entails. Floating takes place in a flotation tank—a closed space filled with body-temperature saltwater. Due to the high concentration of magnesium salt, you can float effortlessly without exerting any energy. The tank is completely dark and quiet, so your body and mind receive no external stimuli. This allows you to reach a deep state of relaxation, where your senses are effectively "shut off."
Developed in the 1950s, floating has been used for various purposes, from relaxation and meditation to pain relief and enhancing mental clarity. What makes floating special is that it allows you to temporarily disconnect from the constant stimuli we experience daily. But what does this mean for your brain?
What happens in your brain during floating?
Floating has several unique effects on the brain. The peace and absence of stimuli allow the brain to enter a different mode, which can lead to various positive outcomes. Below, we discuss some key processes that occur in the brain during a float session.
Mindfulness and reduced stress
When you’re floating, your brain isn’t overwhelmed by the constant stream of information it typically processes. This gives your brain a chance to relax and "reset." Research shows that floating reduces stress hormones, such as cortisol. This happens because the brain enters a state of deep relaxation, similar to what you experience during meditation.
During a float session, the brain’s default mode network (DMN)—the network active during rest and daydreaming—is stimulated. The DMN is responsible for self-reflection and emotional processing, and floating provides this network with the space to operate without distractions. This focus on inner calm and reflection helps release stress and achieve a sense of mindfulness.
Deep relaxation through alpha and theta waves
In our normal, alert state, our brains predominantly produce beta waves. These waves are involved in information processing and problem-solving. However, during a float session, these waves change. Researchers have found that floating increases alpha and theta brainwaves, which are associated with relaxation, creativity, and introspection.
Theta waves typically appear in deep meditation or the transition phase between waking and sleeping. This explains why floating often feels like hovering between wakefulness and sleep. This state stimulates creative thinking and offers a deeper level of relaxation. Since alpha and theta waves bring your brain into a state of deep rest, floating mimics the benefits of a good night’s sleep—without actually sleeping. Would you like to know more about the relaxation that floating offers? Feel free to read this blog and discover what floating can mean for you.
Enhancing creativity and problem-solving
Because floating brings your brain into a relaxed state, it also stimulates creative thinking. Many people who float regularly report coming up with new ideas or solving problems more easily during or after a session. This is partly due to the increase in theta waves, but also because the brain is "disconnected" from daily distractions.
Floating also seems to have a positive effect on divergent thinking—the ability to find multiple solutions to a problem. Many creative professionals, including artists, writers, and scientists, use floating to support their creative processes. In the quiet and solitude of the tank, ideas are not disturbed; they have the opportunity to unfold fully.
Alleviating anxiety and depression
Another significant effect of floating is the alleviation of symptoms related to anxiety and depression. Floating reduces the activity of the sympathetic nervous system (the system that prepares the body for stress) and increases the activity of the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes rest and recovery. As a result, your body not only feels relaxed, but your brain also experiences a state of calm and safety.
Research shows that floating can help regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins. These substances are essential for our sense of well-being and happiness, and increasing them can help relieve symptoms of anxiety and improve mood. Due to the deep relaxation and absence of distractions, float sessions can positively affect people dealing with chronic stress or mild depression.
Improving sleep quality
The relaxation that floating offers often goes hand-in-hand with improved sleep quality. The deep state of rest achieved during floating has a positive effect on sleep. This is because the body reduces cortisol and increases melatonin—the hormone that promotes sleep. By floating regularly, you may find it easier to fall asleep and experience a deeper and more refreshing sleep. As a result, floating can be beneficial for people struggling with insomnia or restless nights.
What happens in your brain when you float?
Floating has a unique influence on the brain and offers an effective way to improve your mental and physical well-being. The silence, calm, and deep relaxation in the flotation tank allow your brain a rare reset. Due to the absence of stimuli, your brain has the opportunity to shift into a state of relaxation, similar to meditation and deep sleep.
With benefits like stress reduction, enhanced creativity, and improved sleep quality, floating is a valuable tool in our hectic world. It provides a way to momentarily disconnect from the constant stream of stimuli and connect with a deeper level of relaxation and well-being.
So, if you’re looking for a way to release daily stress and strengthen your mental well-being, a session in the flotation tank is definitely worth a try. Your brain and body will thank you for this restful experience. Do you have any questions after reading this blog, or would you like to know more about the benefits of floating? Feel free to contact us. We are here to help and answer all your questions! We are here to help you further and answer all your questions!
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