Improved moods, pain reduction, anxiety relief, muscle recovery, enhanced creativity and much, much more; floating makes some fairly astounding claims for what can be achieved once you include it in your wellness regimen. But with all of these benefits and plusses for its practitioners, the question for many is: is it simply too good to be true? Let’s check out the science.

Astronomer Carl Sagan was famous for his statement that “Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence” – and extraordinary evidence of floating’s benefits is something we have in abundance. The last few years have seen dozens of major scientific studies on floating’s effects, efforts that have proven floating’s health benefits for people from all walks of life. Out of hundreds of similar studies, we’ll look at two related to improved moods and pain reduction.

Justin Feinstein, Ph.D. at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research in Tulsa, Oklahoma, worked with 50 patients who suffer from extreme anxiety and depression for a landmark float therapy study. His results showed conclusively that

“1-hour of float therapy can provide significant short-term relief from symptoms of stress and anxiety across a range of different conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Panic Disorder, Agoraphobia, Social Anxiety Disorder, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder.”

Further, in the post-float period in days and sometimes weeks afterward, the study showed

“Participants reported significant reductions in stress, muscle tension, pain, depression and negative affect, accompanied by a significant improvement in mood characterized by increases in serenity, relaxation, happiness and overall well-being.”

A long-term study is currently underway to gauge floating’s lasting effects. The takeaways from this study seem crystal clear: floating has been scientifically proven to help curb depression, ease social anxiety, improve mood, and provide for an overall sense of well-being. (Click here for the full study) 

THE FIBROMYALGIA FLOTATION PROJECT

Anyone who copes with fibromyalgia knows how devastating the ailment can be, with symptoms that include chronic pain, body fatigue, and brain fog. For many with fibromyalgia, dealing with the pain means always looking for the most effective method of relief – and for that, some have found float therapy to be nothing short of miraculous. A 2012 study from the Fibromyalgia Flotation Project tested 81 fibromyalgia patients over a three-week period, with participants asked to note their levels of pain before and after each float. Across the board, studies showed a “significant temporary reduction in pain, muscle tension, stress, anxiety and sadness.” On top of that, participants found “significant increases in relaxation, sleep quality, energy levels, feelings of well-being, and ease of movement.” A long-term study is currently underway, and many float enthusiasts with fibromyalgia claim that because of their regular and continued float practice, their pain is down to virtually zero. We are privileged at Just Float to have witnessed the healing effects on fibromyalgia firsthand, as several of our members utilize floating for relief on a regular basis. One member said it best when she claimed that floating’s effects on reducing fibromyalgia pain are “a tremendous blessing.”

The proof is out there, in study after study, that floating can play a beneficial role across a variety of health matters. How about you? Has floating made a positive impact on your quality of life and/or well-being? Drop us a line anytime at info@justfloat.com so we can share your thoughts within our community. Until then – here’s to your good health!