You have probably heard of sensory deprivation tanks. A number of celebrities swear by them for relaxation, and they have steadily grown in popularity over the past few decades. They work by minimizing sensory inputs from the external world: The tank is filled with high salinity water that allows the user to float freely on the surface; the water is body temperature; earplugs are worn to reduce sound; and the tank is usually situated in a dark room or enclosed space.
The potential therapeutic benefits of these tanks have been studied by psychologists and neuroscientists for the past few years, and new research has highlighted how they alter our experience and reduce our stress.
“Subjects felt significantly more relaxed, less anxious, and less tired,” states a Scientific Reports study about the therapeutic use of these tanks, after a single session of use. “The subjective experience of arousal, anxiety, tension, and stress significantly decreased.”
