The micro-phenomenology of Floatation-REST
Helena Hruby, Marc Wittmann, Stefan Schmidt, Prisca R. Bauer
BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies November 6, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s12906-026-05415-1 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Micro-phenomenological study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 14 |
| Population | Participants who completed a 60-minute Floatation-REST session |
| Intervention | Floatation-REST |
| Duration | 60-minute session |
| Topics | Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Phase matter Consciousness Silence Isolation microbiology Orientation vector space Mental health Therapeutic relationship Developmental psychology |
| Key points | Participants experience four distinct phases during a Floatation-REST session, with the altered state of consciousness phase characterized by positive emotions, deep relaxation, loss of spatial and temporal orientation, and reduced bodily sensations and thoughts. |
Abstract
This micro-phenomenological study examines altered states of consciousness (ASC) during Floatation-REST, a sensory isolation method where individuals lie in a tank filled with Epsom salt-saturated water in complete silence and darkness. Salubrious effects of Floatation-REST have been shown in persons suffering from mental health conditions; these positive outcomes might be related to the experience of ASC. Micro-phenomenological interviews were conducted with fourteen participants who completed a 60-minute Floatation-REST session, to capture the generic structure of ASC. We found that most participants experience four distinct phases during a session (diachronic structure): after an initial acclimatization phase (1), participants experience a transitional phase (2) that prepares them for a subsequent ASC phase (3), followed by a phase of temporal and spatial reorientation (4). The ASC phase is characterized by the experience of positive emotions, deep relaxation, a loss of orientation in space and time, and a reduction in bodily sensations and thoughts (synchronic structure). The characteristics of the ASC phase emerge gradually and progressively intensify. This micro-phenomenological analysis of Floatation-REST sheds new light on the potential of this therapeutic technique. We discuss possible future research and therapeutic applications of Floatation-REST.