Suspended in Silence: A Journey through Sensory Deprivation

“Control of consciousness determines the quality of life.”

― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience

Our brain is incredible. It creates our world through a network of neurons. But what if I told you that this world we see might not be as real as it seems? Ancient teachings say that it is a projection of our consciousness (the thing inside which gives you the sense of existing - 'I am'), while modern scientists like Anil Seth and theoretical physicists are exploring similar ideas. They suggest that our reality might just be a projection, a trick of our brains. Dr. David Eagleman even says that the only true thing we experience is light. Everything else – taste, sound, smell, touch – is just our brain's way of making sense of the world.

Now, let's talk about my recent trip to Singapore for a medical conference. I stumbled upon something intriguing – a float club offering sensory deprivation therapy. This therapy (Flotation REST - Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) takes place in a special tank filled with warm salty water (think Dead Sea). It's dark, soundproof, and lets you float effortlessly. It's like a retreat from the noisy world outside. The very first tank was made in 1954 by John C. Lilly, an American doctor and brain scientist. He created it to study how our minds work without outside distractions.

Pic 1: My float pod

During the hour-long session, you go through a simple routine. You undress, shower, and then enter the tank. The water, heated to your body temperature and filled with Epsom salt (Magnesium sulphate), helps you float. Soft music plays at the beginning and end of the session. In the tank, all you hear is your breathing and sometimes your heartbeat, along with the small splashes when you move your finger in the water.

My experience in the tank was surreal. After practicing meditation regularly for many years, I noticed that the pod experience amplified the effect. It felt for a minute like being back in the womb and another moment in a sci-fi movie (hibernation chamber to be specific), floating in darkness. There's a sense of calm and expansiveness, unlike anything I've felt before. And surprisingly, it's not claustrophobic at all (the sheer darkness expands space).

Afterwards, I felt an overwhelming sense of peace and silence. It's like hitting the reset button for your mind. And it's not just me – my colleagues (four of them), all experienced anaesthesiologists, felt the same way after their sessions.

So, what's the takeaway? Well, in a world filled with constant stimulation, we often forget to give our brains a break. Sensory deprivation therapy is like a vacation for your mind, helping you relax and recharge. It's something our ancestors knew about too – meditation has been around for ages in different forms. There are known benefits of meditation. The book "Altered Traits" by Daniel Goleman and Richard J. Davidson is special because it provides solid research supporting the benefits of meditation, which can deeply impact us.

And if you're interested, there's plenty of scientific research backing up the benefits of float therapy – from improving recovery from exercise to reducing anxiety and boosting creativity and happiness. True to the scientific vigour there are papers which question the strength of evidence in papers which exalt the virtues of floating.

Next time you're looking for a way to unwind, consider trying sensory deprivation therapy. It might just open your eyes to a whole new world of relaxation and self-discovery.

P.S: If you're in India, there are plenty of places offering this therapy. Give it a shot on a lazy Sunday – you won't regret it. And, let me know how it goes!