The purpose of this study was to investigate if experiences induced by flotation-REST (in flotation-tank) are affected by settings or subjects earlier experiences of altered states of consciousness (ASC). No such significant differences were found. Significant effects owing to flotation-REST were found regarding reduction in experienced pain and enhancement of mood. Flotation-REST was considered a pleasurable technique. Different kinds of visual and acoustic effects, altered time perception, and a sense of weightlessness have been reported. Also, deep transpersonal experiences were quite common, and could be distinguished into three types: experiences of one's own childbirth/delivery; feeling of cosmic unity; and experiences of losing contact with the body or out-of-body experiences. Flotation-REST must be regarded as a consciousness-altering method with promising potential for clinical and therapeutic use.
References
1.
NoyP., A Revision of the Psychoanalytic Theory of the Primary Process, International Journal of Psychoanalysis, 50, pp. 155–178, 1969.
2.
GoldbergerL., Reactions to Perceptual Isolation and Rorschach Manifestations of the Primary Process, Journal of Projective Techniques, 25, pp. 287–302, 1961.
3.
MartindaleD. and DaileyA., Creativity, Primary Process Cognition and Personality, Personality and Individual Differences, 20, pp. 409–414, 1995.
4.
MartindaleC., Romantic Progression: The Psychology of Literary History, Hemisphere, Washington, D.C., 1975.
5.
MartindaleC., The Clockwork Muse: The Predictability of Artistic Change, Basic Books, New York, 1990.
6.
MartindaleC. and FischerR., The Effects of Psilocybin on Primary Process Content in Language, Confina Psychiatrica, 20, pp. 195–202, 1977.
7.
WestA.MartindaleC.HinesD., and RothW., Marijuana-Induced Primary Process Content in the TAT, Journal of Personality Assessment, 47, pp. 225–228, 1983.
8.
ZubeckJ. P., Man in Isolation and Confinement, RasmussenJ. E. (ed.), Aldine, Chicago, 1973.
9.
JacobsG. D.HeilbronnerR. L., and StanleyJ. M., The Effects of Short-Term Flotation REST on Relaxation: A Controlled Study, Healthy Psychology, 3, pp. 99–111, 1984.
10.
FineT. H. and TurnerJ. W., The Effect of Brief Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension, Behavioral Research Therapy, 20, pp. 567–570, 1982.
11.
AquinoC. C., Relationships between Stimulus Depravation Theory and Creative Communications, Journal of Creative Behavior, 16, pp. 123–131, 1982.
12.
TurnerJ. W. and FineT. H., REST-Assisted Relaxation and Chronic Pain, presented at the XXIII International Congress of Psychology, Acapulco, Mexico, September 3, 1984.
13.
StanleyJ. M. and FrancisW. D., The Effects of REST and REST Enhanced Self-Regulation on Essential Hypertension, presented at the XXIII International Congress of Psychology, Acapulco, Mexico, September 3, 1984.
14.
BestJ. A. and SuedfeldP., Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy and Behavioral Self-Management in Smoking Cessation, Journal of Applied Social Psychology, 12, pp. 408–419, 1982.
15.
HutchisonM., The Book of Floating: Exploring the Private Sea, Morrow, New York, 1984.
16.
ForgaysD. G. and BelinsonM. J., Is Flotation Isolation a Relaxing Environment?Journal of Environmental Psychology, 6, pp. 19–34, 1986.
17.
SuedfeldP.MetcalfeJ., and BluckS., Enhancement of Scientific Creativity by Flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique), Journal of Environmental Psychology, 7, pp. 219–231, 1987.
18.
SuedfeldP. and BrunoT., Flotation REST and Imagery in the Improvement of Athletic Performance, Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 12, pp. 82–85, 1990.
19.
LeeJ. and HewittJ., Using Visual Imagery in a Flotation Tank to Improve Gymnastic Performance and Reduce Physical Symptoms, International Journal of Sport Psychology, 18, pp. 223–230, 1987.
20.
McAleneyP. J.BarabaszA., and BarabaszM., Effects of Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation on Inter-Collegiate Tennis Performance, Perceptual and Motor Skills, 71, pp. 1023–1028, 1990.
21.
WagamanJ.BarabaszA., and BarabaszM., Flotation Rest and Imagery in the Improvement of Collegiate Basketball Performance, Perceptual and Motor Skills, 72, pp. 119–122, 1991.
22.
ForgaysD. G. and ForgaysF. K., Creativity Enhancement Through Flotation Isolation, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 12, pp. 329–335, 1992.
23.
NorlanderT., Alcohol and the Creative Process. Frameworks of Influence upon Creative Performance, Tryckverkstan, ISSN 1101-718X (Doctoral dissertation at Göteborg University, Sweden), Örebro, 1997.
24.
NorlanderT., Inebriation and Inspiration? A Review of the Research on Alcohol and Creativity, Journal of Creative Behavior, 33, pp. 7–29, 1999.
25.
NorlanderT.BergmanH., and ArcherT., Effects of Flotation REST on Creative Problem Solving and Originality, Journal of Environmental Psychology, 18, pp. 399–408, 1998.
26.
BondJ. W., Flotation Therapy: Current Concepts, Excel, 4, pp. 2–4, 1988.
27.
HutchisonM., One Man, One Float: By Using a Flotation Tank, Athletes Don't Even Have to Move to Improve, Esquire, 11, pp. 29–30, 1984.
28.
NorlanderT.BergmanH., and ArcherT., Primary Process in Competitive Archer Performance: Effects of Flotation REST, Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 11, pp. 194–209, 1999.
29.
SpitzerM., Halluzinationen. Ein Beitrag zur allgemeinen und klinischen Psychopathologie, Springer-Verlag, Berlin Heidelberg, 1988.
30.
ArcherT., The Role of Conditioning in the Use of Placebo, Nordic Journal of Psychiatry, 49, pp. 43–53, 1994.
31.
NorlanderT. and GustafsonR., Effects of Alcohol on Picture Drawing during the Verification Phase of the Creative Process, Creativity Research Journal, 10, pp. 355–362, 1997.
32.
NorlanderT. and GustafsonR., Effects of Alcohol on a Divergent Figural Fluency Test during the Illumination Phase of the Creative Process, Creativity Research Journal, 11, pp. 265–274, 1998.
33.
KjellgrenA. and NorlanderT., Psychedelic Drugs. A Study of Drug Induced Experiences Obtained by Illegal Drug Users in Relation to Stanislav Grof's Model of Altered States of Consciousness, Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 20, pp. 41–57, 2001.
34.
GoldmanM. S.BrownS. A., and ChristiansenB. A., Psychological Theories of Drinking and Alcoholism, BlaneH. T. and LeonardK. E. (eds.), The Guilford Press, New York, pp. 181–226, 1987.
35.
BudzynskiT. H., Restricted Environmental Stimulation, SuedfeldP.TurnerJ. W.Jr., and FineT. H. (eds.), Springer-Verlag, New York, pp. 2–21, 1990.
36.
RaabJ. and GruzelierJ., A Controlled Investigation of Right Hemispheric Processing Enhancement after Restricted Environmental Stimulation (REST) with Flotation, Psychological Medicine, 24, pp. 457–462, 1994.
37.
SuedfeldP. and BorrieR. A., Therapeutic Application of Chamber and Flotation Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST), University of British Columbia, Department of Psychology, Vancouver, 1995.
38.
TurnerJ. W. and FineT. H., Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary, Medical College of Ohio Press, Toledo, Ohio, 1990.
39.
SchulzP. and KasparC.-H., Neuroendocrine and Psychological Effects of Restricted Environmental Stimulation in a Flotation Tank, Biological Psychology, 37, pp. 161–175, 1994.
40.
KalivasP. W. and SorgB. A., Dopamine Disease States, BeningerR. J.PalomoT., and ArcherT. (eds.), Madrid University Press, Madrid, pp. 463–475, 1996.
41.
StewartJ. and VezinaP., Sensitization in the Nervous Systems, KalivasP. W. and BarnesC. D. (eds.), Telford Press, Caldwell, New Jersey, pp. 207–224, 1988.
42.
RobinsonT. E., The Biological Basis of Substance Abuse and Its Therapy, BarchasJ. and KorenmanS. (eds.), Oxford University Press, New York, pp. 87–103, 1991.
43.
SakataS.ShinoharaJ.HoriT., and SugimotoS., Enhancement of Randomness by Flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique), Perceptual and Motor Skills, 80, pp. 999–1010, 1995.
44.
GrofS., Realms of the Human Unconscious—Observations from LSD Research, Souvenir Press, London, 1975.
45.
ParnefjordR., Das Drogentaschenbuch, Enke, 1997.
46.
BeachJ. H., Listening for the Logos: A Study of Audible Voices at High Doses of Psilocybin, The California School of Professional Psychology, Alameda, 1996.
