Float Tanks #

Immersion in stillness and silence

Overview #

Float tanks have become increasingly popular for stress relief, creativity, and consciousness exploration—but they began in stranger waters. The first isolation tank was developed by neuroscientist and psychonaut John C. Lilly, who used it to explore the boundaries of the self, consciousness, and dolphin telepathy.

Also known as isolation tanks or sensory deprivation tanks, these enclosed pods are filled with warm saltwater and designed to eliminate nearly all external sensory input. When you float inside, light, sound, gravity, and even temperature sensation fade away. The water is heated to match your body temperature, gradually dissolving the sense of separation between self and environment. The result is a deep inward shift: meditative calm, strange imagery, time distortion, and altered states of consciousness can emerge naturally.

Theory #

Float tanks reduce sensory input to near-zero, creating a state of environmental minimalism that allows internal processes to surface. Without incoming data, the brain begins to generate its own activity—similar to dreaming or deep meditation.

This can lead to:

• Slowed brainwave activity (often shifting toward theta)
• Increased interoception and body awareness
• Heightened emotional processing or memory surfacing
• Spontaneous visual imagery and symbolic content

Float tanks are used for everything from athletic recovery and stress relief to creativity, trauma integration, and mystical introspection.

They’re widely available in most major cities, making them one of the most accessible ways to explore altered states. You could think of float tanks as an industrial shortcut to meditative depth—a tool that can reveal what’s possible and keep you interested in pursuing other DIY methods.

There aren’t really any “steps”—you just book a session and show up—but here are some ways to make the most of it:

How to Get the Most Out of Your Float Tank Experience #

• Prepare your body and mind – Shower first, skip caffeine, and don’t schedule anything stressful afterward. This is not something to rush.
• Enter with minimal expectations – Don’t try to “achieve” anything. The best results often come from simply allowing the experience to unfold.
• Let your body disappear – Once inside, breathe deeply and relax. The boundary between your skin and the water will start to blur.
• Starfish, then slowly bring your limbs in – To avoid bouncing off the sides, spread your limbs wide, gently nudge away from the wall, then relax.
• Give it time – The first 30 minutes might feel aimless or restless. That’s fine. The deeper states often emerge in the final stretch.
• Meditate on emptiness – As you settle into the void, let that absence itself become the object of meditation. That simple shift in attention can open the door to deep altered states.

Expected Outcomes #

• Profound relaxation and nervous system reset
• Dreamlike visuals or time distortion
• Deep body-mind connection and subtle energetic awareness

Risks & Considerations #

• Avoid caffeine before sessions
• Can trigger anxiety or disorientation in some users—ease in gradually
• Claustrophobia may be a concern for some (though most tanks can be left open or lit)

Variations & Extensions #

• Extended floats (2–4+ hrs) – Deeper access to dreamlike states and dissolution of time
• Pre-float intention setting – Focus the session with a question or theme
• Post-float journaling – Record any imagery, emotions, or insights that emerged

Further Exploration #

• Compare with classic sensory deprivation methods (e.g. Ganzfeld, blackout masks)
• Research float tank use in performance psychology and trauma recovery
• Explore the writings of John C. Lilly, the float tank pioneer and visionary consciousness explorer

Call for Reports #

What happened in the tank? Did you drift into the void or surface with insights?