I don't know if you have heard about sensory deprivation chambers or Isolation Tanks. It's an interesting concept where in all the sensory inputs to the brain are cut-off in an isolation tank. I tried it today and the experience is really worth sharing.
I came to know about isolation tanks through a friend of mine, Koshy . It sounded so exciting, I could not wait to give it a try. There are two isolation tanks in LA, I chose the one in Venice, Float Labs. On calling, I found that the waiting line for the sessions is 3 weeks long (These guys are making a killing !). Well, finally after a long wait, the day arrived.
The way it works is you are put into a highly saline water tank (800 lbs of epsom salt) so that you float. The isolation tank is pitch dark and is usually noise proof, so sensory inputs to your eyes and ears are cut-off. Then as you float, any touch sensations are gone. Effectively, your mind for the first-time is free of your senses/body.
Entering into the tank, I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive after reading about some out of body experiences of a few people. I settled into the tank, floating in the saline water, trying to pick the most relaxed position. The first 10-15 minutes, I was enjoying my floating experience which was very much a sensory one. However, after 15 minutes, I started drifting into a dream like state, I couldn't feel my body, but thoughts kept coming in. I continued in this dream like state for sometime before coming back to senses and realizing that I was in an isolation tank. This cycle of loosing bodily sense and returning back must have occurred around four times during those two hours in the tank. Somehow, I lost my sense of time. Really, I don't know how quickly those two hours passed.
When I came out, it felt so good. The colors were brighter, sounds conspicuous and smells, stronger. All the body aches were gone. I was feeling so relaxed as if woke up after 10 hours of deep sleep. After this experience, I believe Isolation Tanks are one of the best tools to fight stress and stay relaxed. I didn't had any out of the body experiences, no talking with dolphins crap.
After reading this, if you find yourself even remotely interested, I recommend this link:
Happy Floating !!
