Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being
Anette Kjellgren, Fransica Lyden, Torsten Norlander
The Qualitative Report January 14, 2015 DOI: 10.46743/2160-3715/2008.1577 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 8 |
| Population | Patients with depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain |
| Intervention | Flotation tank therapy |
| Topics | Altered states of consciousness |
| Keywords | Interpretative phenomenological analysis Consciousness Relaxation psychology Pain perception Isolation microbiology Qualitative research Altered state Clinical psychology Developmental psychology Psychotherapist Anesthesia |
| Citations | 40 |
| Key findings | Floating in a flotation tank induces an altered state of consciousness, experienced as pleasant, with effects ranging from profound relaxation to perceptual changes such as out-of-body and perinatal experiences. |
Abstract
A qualitative analysis (The Empirical Phenomenological Psychological method) of interviews involving eight patients (depression, burn-out syndrome, and chronic pain) was carried out in order to obtain knowledge regarding the effects of flotation tank therapy. This knowledge might be helpful for both professionals and potential floaters. The analysis resulted in 21 categories, which were summarized as four themes: (a) experiences during flotation, (b) perceived effects afterwards, (c) technical details, and finally (d) the participants ́ background, motivation, and expectations. Floating was perceived as pleasant. An altered state of consciousness was induced, varying from a milder state including profound relaxation and altered time perception, to more powerful with perceptual changes and profound sensations such as out-o f-body experience s and perinatal experiences.