Isolation tank

From WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia

Isolation tank or sensory deprivation tank is a lightless, soundproof tank filled with salt water at skin temperature, in which individuals float. They were first used by John C. Lilly in 1954 to test the effects of sensory deprivation. Such tanks are now also used for meditation and relaxation and in alternative medicine. The isolation tank was originally called the tank of sensory isolation.

History[edit | edit source]

The isolation tank was developed in 1954 by John C. Lilly, a medical practitioner and neuropsychiatrist. During his training in psychoanalysis at the US National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Lilly experimented with sensory deprivation.

Design and usage[edit | edit source]

An isolation tank is a lightless, soundproof tank inside which subjects float in salt water at skin temperature. They are used for various therapeutic and meditative purposes.

Therapeutic uses[edit | edit source]

Isolation tanks are used in a number of therapeutic settings. These include stress relief, relaxation, meditation, creativity enhancement, and psycho-physiological therapy.

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]


External links[edit | edit source]

Isolation tank Resources
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Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD