Floatation tanks are being developed for use for psychiatric conditions where stress reduction is important. These tanks are designed to remove all external stimuli such as light and any temperature gradients. The participants relax in an essentially weightless/stress-free environment. In our studies at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), we are trying to evaluate biomarkers to monitor the effects of floatation tanks for individuals with anxiety and other clinically diagnosed conditions. Pre-floatation and post-floatation functional MRIs, cortisol, and other biomarkers are being evaluated to determine the extent of the calming effects. This represents the first functional neuroimaging study exploring the stress-reducing effects of floatation in both the body and brain.

Benefits of floatation tanks as novel tools for stress reduction

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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