Exceptional Experiences and Altered States of Consciousness

Floatation-REST

Introduction

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Technique) is a method that has been proven to lead to deeply relaxed states and positive effects on both physical and mental health. Floating in a saturated solution of salt in body-warm water in absolute darkness and silence can lead to a deep, meditation-like state with changes in body self and time, which is why the intervention is also used to investigate altered states of consciousness.

The many positive effects of Floatation-REST have already been proven in various areas. Similar to meditation, Floatation-REST leads to increased general well-being, a reduction in pain and stress symptoms and an improvement in burnout symptoms. There are also promising positive effects in combination with psychotherapy. What is striking is the reduced rumination of thoughts with simultaneous relaxation and sharpened perception after floating. One possible theoretical explanation that we are pursuing is that Floatation-REST induces altered states of consciousness (ASC), which are accompanied by psychophysiological changes. Various definitions of ASC have in common that there is a qualitative change in perceptual, cognitive and emotional processes that are very different from ordinary states of consciousness. In most cases, changes in the perception of time are experienced, with time being perceived both as passing very quickly and as standing still. There are also modifications in body perception, such as the feeling that the boundaries of the body are dissolving.

Since February 2022, we have been using the flotation REST cabin developed by floataway.com to induce altered states of consciousness. It is located in the Prana health practice in Freiburg, with whose owners Mirjam and Sven Kühnöl we cooperate. In a first large-scale study, a doctoral scholarship for Helena Hruby, financed by the Hanns Seidl Foundation, the focus is on the recording of health-psychological stress reduction through floating.

Selected projects

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Außenaufnahme eines Floating-Tanks

Altered States of Consciousness when Floating

We investigate altered states of consciousness and moods caused by Floatation-REST.
Floating Tank

Investigating the Impact of Floatation-REST and Meditation on Interoception and Self-Consciousness

Study on the effects of meditation and floatation REST on consciousness.