What do you know about isolation tanks?

[Anakin]

I have been searching youtube just kind of letting my brain wander. I stumbled upon some clips of Joe Rogan talking about these isolation tanks. How does this community feel about them? What do we know about using them to achieve self awareness?

Namaste

[Stillwater]

They were much more studied and numerous around the mid-to-late 70's.  Most of the isolation tanks are now in psychology research departments, as it takes alot of effort and money to maintain them; they generally need saline-solution baths, and biometric monitoring equipment, so that a technitian can keep an eye the subject's vitals. I think there are a few private companies offering a similar experience with tanks, but it still costs a pretty penny.

I have never had any experiences with one, but from what I understand, most people have mild-moderate hallucinations within 20 minutes to an hour.

For me, OBE is linked intimately to the subconscious ( I would describe the intitial experience as immersing the concsious mind into the subconscious), and that is clearly the sort of experience you will have with the tanks, so there may be some similarity between what you experience in an OBE and the isolation tanks.  For me, I would just work on OBE and long meditation sessions, as it probably comes to the same thing, and does not cost nearly as much, but then I am sure the experience you have with the tanks is novel as well, so if you have the money, by all means.

[personalreality]

There are "salons" that offer flotation/isolation tank sessions.  They tend to charge between $50-$120US for about an hour or so.  Ideally you would want your own.  They aren't terribly difficult to build (Joe Rogan built one) if you can afford it.  I think it could be done for a couple hundred dollars US.  If you Google "Isolation (or Flotation) Tanks [your city]", you should be able to find one of these "salons" in your area, at least to give it a try and see if you're interested in building one.  I'm not 100% on this, but I believe John C. Lilly invented the flotation tank and used it primarily under the influence of LSD and other "hallucinogenic" drugs.  He is a psychiatrist who has spent many years studying consciousness through mind altering chemicals and flotation tanks.  Specifically there is a book that he wrote called "Programming the Human Biocomputer" that details the technical schematic of consciousness/mind that he mapped out through LSD/Flotation Tank experiences.  He further describes how that map can be utilized to help heal oneself "psychologically".  It's very dense book and at times it's difficult to follow, but it's good if you can make it through.

[vpsean]

I have been searching youtube just kind of letting my brain wander. I stumbled upon some clips of Joe Rogan talking about these isolation tanks. How does this community feel about them? What do we know about using them to achieve self awareness?

Namaste

Hey Anakin,

I'm just here to 2nd your curiosity of wanting to know more. 

I don't know what the deal is with isolation tanks ... personally I get the feeling that they're not necessary to achieve whatever their outcome is ... however, I'll be the first to admit that conclusion is based off a preconceived idea about the tanks that could be completely false. 

I did have a discussion once years ago with a friends step dad who, it was either him, or someone he was talking about, that went through the isolation tank in some program called 'Avatar.' You might look up on google information for Avatar ... Type in 'Avatar Self Realization' --- I really don't know anything about them and don't even know if 'self realization' goes with the term, but that's what came out of my subconscious, lol. It could be related to them or not. It might be a good place to find out more though if they do indeed use the tanks. 

With Love & Gratitude,
--Sean Patrick Simpson
www.AdventuresInManifesting.org

[WASD]

I've tried one but didn't get anything more than relaxation. I had lights on at all times which may have changed the outcome. I'm not sure what to think about the video with Joe Rogan. For me it was misleading. But I'm sure there are more people than him that have had those amazing effects.