It seems counter intuitive that something so simple could be so effective. But, scientists estimate that up to 90% of the brain’s normal workload is caused by the effects of routine environmental stimulation, the combined effects of gravity, temperature, touch, light and sound on the muscles, nervous system and sense organs of the body. The flotation room screens out these external stimuli, creating a pure state of “sensory relaxation”. Under these unique conditions your body has a chance to restore its natural powers of self-regulation, while you simply lie back and rediscover the latent abilities of a deeply relaxed mind.
The water/solution temperature is kept at a constant 93.5 degrees – relaxed skin temperature. As a result, the nerve endings, which cover the surface of
the skin, no longer perceive a separation between the skin and the silky mineral solution which surrounds it. In the dark, weightless tranquility of the Zero Gravity Float Room the boundaries of your body seem to dissolve and vanish. Because of the sharp reduction in signals being transmitted through the nervous system to the brain, you enter progressively deeper levels of relaxation. Your body seems to “disappear” from conscious awareness.
The sudden lack of stimulation to large areas of the nervous system triggers a spontaneous chain reaction throughout the body known as the parasympathetic response. Muscle tension, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen consumption all drop dramatically. The entire chemistry of the body changes. The parasympathetic response is the body’s natural mechanism for healing and regeneration. It can only occur during deep relaxation. Floating is the fastest, easiest, and most effective way of eliciting this response and enjoying its dramatic health benefits. Floating “resets” the body’s chemical
and metabolic balance, strengthening its resistance to the effects of stress, illness or injury.
Blood vessels including capillaries dilate, improving cardiovascular efficiency and increasing the supply of oxygen and nutrients to every cell in
your body. This is called the vasodilatory effect. People who lead demanding lifestyles run the risk of developing high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. This disease has no symptoms, but eventually manifests itself in the form of strokes, heart attacks, and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) – all potential killers. Floating can produce an immediate reduction in blood pressure and heart rate; regular floating may maintain this.
The endorphin is literally the essence of pleasure, sometimes called “the body’s natural opiate”. The endorphin’s released while floating create intense feelings of well-being, alleviating fatigue and chronic pain, as well as improving many of the higher brain functions such as memory and learning. The body’s endorphin level is what makes some people naturally happy and others less so. Happiness is not an illusion – it is an endorphin.
Stress related chemicals such as adrenaline, cortisol, ACTH and lactate are removed from the bloodstream and replaced by beneficial endorphin’s. High levels of cortisol and ACTH are known to weaken the body’s immune system and create feelings of depression, while lower baseline levels are associated with feelings of dominance and confidence. Apart from being the ultimate “stress buster”, floating has been shown to alleviate asthma, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular disorders. Tension related problems such as migraine, back-ache, and insomnia. These biochemical changes occur naturally and spontaneously as by-products of deep sensory relaxation. No special techniques or training are required. Just lie back and let it happen.
