As the practice of floating continues to grow in popularity, it’s no surprise to discover it’s made a number of ‘guest appearances’ in movies and TV shows along the way. And while we’re all for spreading the good word about the practice of floating by any means necessary, we definitely don’t want the float-curious-newbies out there to get the wrong impression about our favorite wellness practice.

Towards that, we’ll take a look at 4 different ways floating has been immortalized in pop culture – and present you with the facts behind the (sometimes) purely fictional story elements. Lights! Camera! And:

ALTERED STATES (1980)

WHAT IT IS: As a scientist bent on discovering the secrets of human consciousness, Edward Jessup (William Hurt) puts his life and sanity on the line through a series of dangerous experiments involving a float tank.

HOW IT’S USED: Jessup uses a float tank to heighten the effects of a hallucinogenic, consciousness-raising drug. As the experiments progress, he finds himself slipping deeper and deeper into a distorted version of reality (in the film’s most memorable moment, he ‘devolves’ into a caveman and wreaks havoc on a local zoo.)

THE BOTTOM LINE: Like sharks with “Jaws” and showers for “Psycho,” “Altered States” presented floating as something to be feared. Even today, many people associate the practice with the plot points (the mad scientist, hallucinations, etc.) presented in the film. And while it’s TRUE that floating can be an amazing tool for delving deeper into the conscious mind in a relaxed, meditative way, everything else is PURE FICTION (although it did inspire “Stranger Things” in a big way, 36 years later.)

THE SIMPSONS (1999)

WHAT IT IS: In the episode “Make Room for Lisa,” Homer and daughter Lisa visit a new age store, where the owner convinces them both to embark on a spiritual journey by way of float tank.

HOW IT’S USED: In their separate tanks for a two-hour float, Lisa and Homer have wildly different experiences. After quieting her mind, Lisa is able to fully relax and gain some much-needed perspective about her dad. And while we won’t spoil what happens with Homer (thanks to #floatinglight for the link), let’s just say his experience leads him to proclaim: “Sensory deprivation kicks ass!”

THE BOTTOM LINE: You know how “The Simpsons” is sometimes credited for predicting the future and/or setting the stage for various moments in pop culture? 20 years ago, “The Simpsons” told viewers what floaters today know for a fact: when you quiet your mind and fully immerse in the float experience, it can be truly unforgettable. Verdict: MOSTLY TRUE

FRINGE (2008-2013)

WHAT IT IS: An FBI agent is forced to work with an institutionalized scientist (and his son) in order to rationalize a brewing storm of unexplained phenomena. The word “fringe” relates to “fringe science,” and the team’s sometimes-unorthodox methods of investigation.

HOW IT’S USED: The practice of floating makes an appearance in a number of different “Fringe” episodes; more often than not, characters enter a float tank to explore their consciousness and retrieve lost memories and information. It’s even suggested that – under the right circumstances – floating provides access to dimensions unavailable through other means (see ‘The Upside Down’ in our final entry.)

THE BOTTOM LINE: Like “Altered States,” the characters use psychotropic substances to facilitate their experiences; also like “Altered States,” floaters are able to explore the subconscious in ways not possible in everyday life. And while it’s TRUE that floating has been scientifically proven to aid in recovering lost memories and gaining powerful new insights, floating as a gateway to other worlds and/or dimensions makes “Fringe” the stuff of PURE FICTION.

And now, the latest work of pop culture to put floating on the map – and launch a thousand questions for us at Just Float:

STRANGER THINGS (2016-2019)

WHAT IT IS: In the small town of Hawkins in 1982, an unlikely group of friends discover that some “things” are more dangerous than others.

HOW IT’S USED: Through the use of a makeshift float tank in their high school’s gym, a gifted young girl is able to expand her consciousness and visit a dangerous parallel universe known as ‘The Upside Down.’

THE BOTTOM LINE: Anything that brings the practice of floating into the public sphere is ok by us – especially when it’s as cool, fun and entertaining as “Stranger Things”! First: YES and absolutely, there is hard science to back up the fact that floating can aid in the exploration of the conscious mind, and reach places inaccessible by other means. But as for the rest, the answer is NO: you won’t enter one of our tanks and find yourself inadvertently up-close-and-personal with a Gorgon, or other monstrous entities. If you do… please contact a Just Float team member for help finding the nearest exit.

Did we miss anything? Have a different take on the material and/or a few suggestions of your own? We’d love to know! You can send your comments to info@justfloat.com, or post a message via Facebook or Twitter, with #justfloat. After that, schedule your next float online and/or call us during normal business hours at 818-639-3572.