How sensory deprivation and floating impacts the brain

Our series Pay Attention looks at how to retrain our focus and recapture our attention under the bombardment of technology and information that distracts us. "CBS This Morning" co-host John Dickerson explores if sensory deprivation can short-circuit the noise.

Delivered by Norah O’Donnell and Gayle King, "CBS This Morning" offers a thoughtful, substantive and insightful source of news and information to a daily audience of 3 million viewers. The Emmy Award-winning broadcast presents a mix of daily news, coverage of developing stories of national and global significance, and interviews with leading figures in politics, business and entertainment. Check local listings for "CBS This Morning" broadcast times.

[GLesbihonest]

Had my first session yesterday. It was amazing. My mind actually stopped thinking. That hasn't happened probably since birth and I'm 39. This was just awesome and restful!!!

[cizrek]

Kind of crazy how putting yourself back into the state of being inside a womb does so much.

[FearEeatsTheSoul]

I love how he said he didn't know where his limbs ended and the water began. Very nice way of putting it.

[saw]

7 year old me in the pool pretending to be dead:

[Querencia]

It used to be called the ‘isolation tank.’ It was invented by Dr. John C. Lilly - he who pioneered much, and wrote books on dolphin language, studied it, resulting in human-dolphin communication, a project I worked with him on. He taught me a lot; a man far beyond his ‘time.’ This tank should not be talked about with talking about who invented it and how/why that came about. There’s great richness, history, and insight in his story. He’s owed the respect and the gratitude.

[janinebean]

This is part of why I swim. There is total relaxation in floating. It’s sensory deprivation but also when swimming you get sensory stimulation as well when you move. You’re feeling where you are in space so much more when you move in water than in air, you get that physical feedback.

[fernandoangon]

You can truly hear it in his voice how calm and rested they are. They sound so peaceful and more low but yet quite clear.

[susanclark]

I do floatation therapy twice a week to help me be the best psychotherapist I can be. I float in a closed tank, no lights, no music. I LOVE IT❤️

[mrv]

My son and I do this and it helps SO much! He has Autism and the sensory deprivation is exactly what he needs when he’s in an environment like school which has sensory overload. I’ve noticed also that after he floats, his speech comes out more, he’s relaxed and his quick, sudden jerky movements don’t happen as often. When he comes home off the bus, he is very much overloaded from everything he experienced at school so getting a membership was worth to us. I can use it since I’m his primary caregiver and we both benefit from an excellent night’s sleep. Unfortunately, not the same story for my husband who has motion sickness easily so he didn’t enjoy his first float and won’t do it again. So it really isn’t for everybody. Everyone should try it and judge for themselves! ☮️👍🏽

[Dfas]

I love this. It's great. I swim at night in my river in AZ. I float on my back and can see the stars. Can't really hear anything but my breathing. It's very relaxing

[mollyrawford]

While I was floating on a regular basis, I was able to draw off of the calmness that I felt in the tank, even if I wasn't in the tank. It was amazing. I wish insurance would cover it because it is so expensive. And works better than most medication I've tried. It also felt so good being weightless. It feels so good to have the pressure of gravity taken away. It's a great pain management tool.

[brandondaniels]

Joe _"Have I Told You About My Sensory Deprivation Tank"_ Rogan

[bossy]

i think it has something to do with being underwater as well. When I swim I observe my thoughts disappearing every time I'm under water. It's so cool

[Cerinaya]

I haven't been in an isolation tank but I have done nearly the same thing in my pool with a pool noodle under my neck and behind my knees. It worked well and I just floated half an hour almost asleep. Very relaxing.

[jacq]

This actually helped my pain. Felt like I had a massage. It was so relaxing

[thelma.brittain]

I love float therapy. The one I go to has one tank that is open, it looks like a mini hot tub. You can control the lights. I always leave a red light on, I didn't really care for the total darkness. All rooms have a shower, you shower before and after you get out of the tank. It's more relaxing than a massage. I wasn't sure the first time if I liked it but I felt amazing and stress free. I went a 2nd time and enjoyed it more. I'm going for a session soon. I've been going for about 4 years. 💕

[tiffanys.]

Thank you for reminding me about this. I have really bad anxiety and ptsd. I just booked my first session and I'm excited to try it out!

[leelandglover]

I did this as a little kid in the tub..it made me relax didn't know what meditation was but I was doing it.

[shelbyorphanage]

This should also be included and available in medical like health insurance

[redeyeman]

I run a handful of businesses in the UK and have always struggled switching off my brain fully due to my ADD. I went and did a float tank a couple of months back however and it was life changing. I managed to completely switch off for the first time in years. Would highly recommend.