What is our brain up to when we’re floating?
Very small electrical-voltages flow across our brains constantly, and the rate of this flow determines our state of mental awareness.
When we are most active, our brains are in gamma or beta states, with high-frequency electrical impulses. At the lowest frequency—the delta state—we are asleep!
In his book, The Book of Floating, Michael Hutchinson explains some theories of tank-inspired brain activity. He focuses on the theta stage of brainwave activity.
We all experience theta-wave activity twice a day as we move from wakefulness to sleep and vice-versa.
During this twilight theta stage we often have unpredictable, vivid, dreamlike mental images. These may include memories, reveries, free associations, and insights or inspirations.
But, we usually move through this stage quickly and either fall asleep or stretch and get out of bed.
Experiments have shown that floatation tanks are an ideal setting for inducing this state of theta brainwave activity, while not actually falling asleep. The tank allows us to generate large amounts of theta, yet stay awake!
So, we often leave the tank with a quiet body and tranquil emotions. Having processed and integrated our thoughts and memories in this twilight state, we may feel a profound sense of psychological well-being….
That is your brain on saltwater!
Check out next month’s newsletter for the connection between the theta state and meditation!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Michael Hutchinson’s The Book of Floating, can be purchased at the float center or online:
Amazon Link