Stress causes harm by its disruption of our natural biochemistry. For example, researchers have recently discovered that, under stress, Type A personalities secrete forty times as much cortisol and three times as much adrenaline as Type B men. Cortisol has been proven to suppress the immune system. Tests have shown that floating decreases cortisol. Floating, through deep relaxation, lowersa the levels of the harmful chemicals.
Deep relaxation is beneficial in another way.
As John V. Basmajian's experiments showed, we have the capacity to control the firing of a single motor neuron in the body, once we are made aware of that neuron. Deep relaxation also leads to improved access to internal imagery. And awareness and control of mental imagery is the key to self regulation. Floating, free of light, sound, and touch, you are now able to tune in to profound relaxation that, scientists have found, trigger the same positive physical and mental effects that occur during meditation. And even more significantly, this deep relaxation seems to linger long after the float is over, according to Thomas Fine, assistant professor of mental health at the Medical College of Ohio.