A sensory deprivation tank cuts a person off from as many sensory inputs as possible. Some research suggests it may help ease anxiety, relax muscles, and reduce pain.

Although current research suggests sensory deprivation tanks may have positive effects for some people, more research is necessary to understand its therapeutic potential.

This article explains the benefits of sensory deprivation tanks and the effects that the experience may have on a person’s body.

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A sensory deprivation tank may help with anxiety and stress.

A sensory deprivation tank, also known as a flotation tank or isolation tank, provides restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). A person experiences minimal sensory stimulation when inside the tank.

The tank contains enough water for the person entering it to float on their back. Floating helps a person feel fewer effects of gravity.

The tank is soundproof, which prevents noise from causing distractions. It is also dark, so people cannot see what is around them.

The lack of external stimulation in a sensory deprivation tank may help a person relax. However, the effects of being in a sensory deprivation tank will differ for each person, and may not always be positive.

Research suggests sensory deprivation tanks may offer the following beneficial effects:

Physical relaxation

A 2022 study examined floatation-REST’s effects on cardiovascular change in comparison to watching a relaxing nature film. Study participants who underwent floatation-REST had significant decreases in:

Some research also suggests sensory deprivation tanks may help to reduce muscle tension associated with anxiety.

Improved mental health

A 2018 study looked at whether floatation-REST may affect symptoms due to various anxiety and stress-related disorders in 50 people. After an hour-long float session, participants reported improvements in the following:

People with more severe anxiety reported more significant benefits. The authors highlight floatation-REST as a promising technique but call for larger control trials to replicate these results.

Boosting creativity

A 2023 systematic review highlights five older studies published from 1987 to 2011 that examine creativity and floatation-REST. These studies suggest floatation-REST may boost certain types of creativity, including:

  • technical musical ability
  • originality
  • divergent thinking

However, floatation-REST may reduce other types of creativity, such as problem-solving creative behaviors.

It is worth noting that this review is a preprint and has not yet undergone peer review — a process in which experts assess an article’s conclusions, methods, and assumptions.

More research is necessary to completely understand the potential benefits of sensory deprivation tanks on creativity.

Pain reduction

A 2021 clinical trial involving 99 people suggests that five sessions of floatation-REST may cause short-term reductions in pain intensity and the number of body areas in pain.

However, the authors found no long-term benefits for chronic pain and could not detect the short-term benefits after 1 week.

The authors conclude that the improvements they observed do not appear to be due to environmental stimulus restriction from floatation-REST.

Ultimately, more research is necessary to understand whether sensory deprivation tanks can be a useful therapy for people experiencing pain.

Improved sleep

A 2022 study involving six participants with insomnia found mixed results about floatation-REST’s effect on sleep. Some participants saw improvements in:

  • sleep efficiency
  • insomnia severity
  • depressive severity

However, there were no changes to total sleep time, and two participants saw no improvements at all.

A 2020 systematic review of nine studies concludes that floatation-REST has promising therapeutic potential, but more research is necessary to understand its effectiveness.

Researchers in a 2018 study asked participants to complete a 43-item side effect checklist after their period of floatation-REST.

Although there were few side effects and no major adverse events or safety concerns, participants reported the following side effects:

The study authors suggest people were more likely to experience positive side experiences than negative side effects, with all participants expressing a desire to float again in the future.

Anxiety and panic may be more likely among people who experience claustrophobia.

As with any activity involving water, a person could technically drown in the flotation tank. However, no studies report the likelihood of this. People can take steps to reduce the risk, such as by not using a tank when intoxicated.

More research into the risks and potential side effects of sensory deprivation tanks is necessary. People can speak with a healthcare professional about the potential risks if they have concerns.

Research suggests that sensory deprivation tanks may have positive effects, such as increasing feelings of relaxation, on some people.

However, their effectiveness may depend on a person’s therapeutic goals and individual response. If a company or person selling sessions or tanks makes claims that seem too good to be true, they probably are.

Sensory deprivation tanks are not a cure for any condition. No research suggests they can be a substitute for conventional treatments.

Sensory deprivation tanks may provide some relief from anxiety and pain. However, some of the research is limited, and further high quality trials are necessary.

Sensory deprivation tanks may cause side effects in some people. These effects may include panic or anxiety, dry mouth, or hallucinations.

People can speak with a healthcare professional if they want to try floatation-REST to ensure they stay safe.