Lets get Scientific

This section is for those of you who want to dive a little deeper and understand the mechanisms of action. “Let’s get scientific”, will explain, in simple terms, the body’s response to R.E.S.T with references that support the claims made of them.

Before diving into the physiology behind Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) using float tanks, it's important to understand that Mind Over Matter Practice is committed to exploring and enhancing various states of the nervous system. While we don’t claim to cure diseases, we strive to highlight the research-backed benefits this service can have on your well-being. Our focus is on guiding you through different nervous system states. By immersing yourself in the float tank experience, you can achieve parasympathetic dominance, leading to deep relaxation and mindfulness. This approach helps you better understand and influence your nervous system, fostering a deeper sense of calm and overall well-being.

When you enter a flotation tank, you’re suspended effortlessly in a warm, magnesium-rich saltwater solution. This carefully designed environment minimizes sensory distractions—no light, no sound, and a neutral temperature—allowing your mind and body to enter a state of profound relaxation. The reduced sensory input triggers your body to shift from a state of stress to one of deep calm, where healing can naturally occur. This shift is largely due to the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for the body’s "rest and digest" functions 1, 9.

One of the most well-supported effects of REST is its ability to reduce stress and anxiety. Clinical trials have shown that during a REST session, cortisol levels—the "stress hormone"—significantly decrease. The mechanism behind this involves the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, a central part of your stress response system. With cortisol levels reduced, your body can unwind, helping you feel more relaxed and less anxious. This makes REST an effective tool for managing the pressures of daily life and fostering a sense of calm 1, 14, 15.

For those dealing with chronic pain, REST has also been shown to offer substantial relief. The sensation of weightlessness in the flotation tank alleviates pressure on your muscles and joints, reducing pain and discomfort. This pain relief is thought to be mediated by a combination of factors, including the reduction of muscular tension, decreased inflammation, and the release of endorphins—natural painkillers produced by the body. Studies have confirmed that individuals suffering from conditions like fibromyalgia and tension headaches experience a notable decrease in pain intensity after REST sessions 2, 3.

Sleep is another area where REST has proven beneficial. The deep relaxation induced by REST can improve the quality of your sleep by calming the nervous system and reducing hyperarousal—a common cause of insomnia. By lowering cortisol and enhancing the body’s natural circadian rhythms, REST helps you fall asleep more easily and achieve a more restorative sleep, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated 4, 5, 16.

REST's impact on mental health extends to conditions like depression and PTSD as well. Clinical evidence suggests that REST can help reduce symptoms of depression by improving mood and enhancing the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of happiness and well-being. For those with PTSD, REST can alleviate symptoms like hyperarousal and anxiety by calming the overactive amygdala, the brain region involved in the fear response. This creates a pathway to a more peaceful state of mind. Studies have also found improvements in depression with people using FLOAT  6, 7, 16.

In addition to these benefits, REST has been shown to lower blood pressure, particularly in individuals with hypertension. The deep relaxation response triggered by REST reduces heart rate and dilates blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure and contributes to overall cardiovascular health. This effect is linked to the parasympathetic nervous system’s role in promoting heart health and reducing the risk of heart disease 8, 9.

Moreover, REST can be a powerful tool for preventing burnout, especially in high-stress professions. Regular REST sessions help reduce feelings of emotional exhaustion by lowering stress hormones and providing a mental break from constant stimuli. This allows your mind and body to recover, restoring your sense of balance and well-being 10, 12.

While the effects of REST on creativity, mindfulness, and addiction support are still being explored, the practice shows promise. Many individuals report enhanced mental clarity, increased creativity, and improved focus following REST sessions. These benefits are likely due to the brain's ability to enter a theta wave state during REST—a state associated with creativity and deep relaxation 13, 14.

At Mind Over Matter Practice, we are committed to providing a scientifically supported and deeply relaxing experience that promotes your mental and physical well-being. REST is more than just relaxation—it’s a pathway to healing and rejuvenation, backed by clinical evidence and designed to help you achieve your best self.

References:

1. Turner, J. W., Fine, T. H., Ewy, G. A., & Westbrook, T. (1990). "The Presence or Absence of Light during Flotation REST: Effects on Plasma Cortisol, Blood Pressure, and Mood." Biofeedback and Self-Regulation, 15(4), 327-331.

2. Kjellgren, A., Sundequist, U., Norlander, T., & Archer, T. (2001). "Effects of Flotation REST on Muscle Tension Pain." Research in Complementary and Natural Classical Medicine, 8(2), 105-112.

3. Bood, Sven Å, Kjellgren, Anette, Norlander, Torsten, Treating Stress-Related Pain with the Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique: Are There Differences between Women and Men?, Pain Research and Management, 14, 298935, 6 pages, 2009.

4. Bood, S. A., Sundequist, U., Kjellgren, A., Nordström, G., & Norlander, T. (2006). "Effects of Flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) on Stress-Related Muscle Pain: Are 33 Flotation Sessions More Effective as Compared to 12 Sessions?" Social Behavior and Personality: An International Journal, 34(5), 493-504.

5. van Dierendonck, D., & Te Nijenhuis, J. (2005). "Flotation REST: The Effects of 15 Floatation Sessions on Well-being and Anxiety in Depressed and Anxious Patients." Journal of Health Psychology, 10(3), 487-492.

6. Bood, S.A., Sundequist, U., Kjellgren, A., Nordstrom, G. and Norlander, T. (2005). Effects of Flotation-Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique on Stress-Related Muscle Pain: What Makes the Difference in Therapy - Attention-Placebo or the Relaxation Response? Pain Research and Management, 10(4), pp.201–209.

7. Feinstein, JS, Khalsa, SS, Yeh, H, Wohlrab, C, Simmons, WK, Stein, MB & Paulus, MP 2018, ‘Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST’, in E Moitra (ed.), PLOS ONE, vol. 13, no. 2, p. e0190292, viewed 31 May 2019.

8. Fine, T. H., & Turner, J. W. (1982). The effect of brief restricted environmental stimulation therapy in the treatment of essential hypertension. Behaviour Research and Therapy, 20(6), 567–570

9.Turner, J. W., Fine, T., Ewy, G., Sershon, P., & Freundlich, T. (1989). The presence or absence of light during flotation restricted environmental stimulation: Effects on plasma cortisol, blood pressure, and mood. Biofeedback & Self Regulation, 14(4), 291–300.

10. Katz, J. and Melzack, R. (1992). Measurement of Pain. Anesthesiology Clinics of North America, 10(2), pp.229–246.

11. Norlander, T., Kjellgren, A. and Archer, T. (2000). The Experience of Flotation-Rest as a Function of Setting and Previous Experience of Altered State of Consciousness. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 20(2), pp.161–178.\

12. Bood, S.Å., Sundequist, U., Kjellgren, A., Nordström, G. and Norlander, T. (2007). EFFECTS OF FLOTATION REST (RESTRICTED ENVIRONMENTAL STIMULATION TECHNIQUE) ON STRESS RELATED MUSCLE PAIN: ARE 33 FLOTATION SESSIONS MORE EFFECTIVE THAN 12 SESSIONS? Social Behavior and Personality: an international journal, 35(2), pp.143–156.

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13. Kajander, R., & Peper, E. (1998). "Theta Brainwave States and Enhanced Creativity: Application of Slow Wave Resting EEG as a Mind-Body Integrative Tool." *Journal of Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback*, 23(2), 102-104.

14. van Dierendonck, D & Te Nijenhuis, J 2005, ‘Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis’, Psychology & Health, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 405–412.

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15. Feinstein, JS, Khalsa, SS, Yeh, H, Wohlrab, C, Simmons, WK, Stein, MB & Paulus, MP 2018, ‘Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST’, in E Moitra (ed.), PLOS ONE, vol. 13, no. 2, p. e0190292.

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16. Jonsson, K., Kjellgren, A. Promising effects of treatment with flotation-REST (restricted environmental stimulation technique) as an intervention for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD): a randomized controlled pilot trial. BMC Complement Altern Med 16, 108 (2016).