Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
Every year, millions of adults in the U.S. are diagnosed with GAD, an anxiety disorder characterized by constant worry, an inability to relax, insomnia, and feeling tired all the time. A 2016 study involving 25 people with GAD found that after twelve sessions of floatation therapy nearly 40 percent of the participants reported a “full remission” of their GAD symptoms. Results of a six-month follow-up on study subjects indicated a reduction in anxiety symptoms “had been maintained.”
Learning and Executive Thinking
Another clinically studied benefit of flotation therapy is the ability to learn more quickly and apply higher cognitive thought processes to answering test questions. A 1990 neuroimaging study found that adults who experienced 60 minutes in a sensory deprivation tank showed increased EEG activity when answering difficult questions. The non-flotation (control) group did not show the same EEG activity and had more problems answering logic-type questions.
Endorphin Release and Possible Pain Relief
A review of dozens of floatation tank studies suggests that just one session promotes the release of endorphins while lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels in the bloodstream. Elevated cortisol levels are known to contribute to the development of chronic diseases like hypertension and high cholesterol. Some subjects participating in the study reported relief of muscle tension pain, but more studies are needed to support this finding.
Positive Effects on the Circulatory System
A few studies discovered that flotation therapy helped “normalize” blood pressure, decrease blood cortisol levels and reduce mean arterial pressure in a group of young adults. These benefits could be attributed to the ability of float therapy to dilate blood vessels and improve the flow of oxygen to all areas of the body.
REST as Treatment for Addictions
Recent studies have not been conducted regarding the ability of flotation therapy to help people with substance addiction. However, one older study involving long-term smokers found that subjects receiving REST for one year were less likely to relapse than those who engaged in behavioral self-management only. Proponents of flotation tank therapy suggest that incorporating this type of therapy with a substance abuse program may help reduce cravings by providing individuals with a natural way to alleviate anxiety and achieve a sense of “relief and serenity.”