Through all sorts of tests, including EMG(which measure muscle
tension), EEG, blood pressure, and measurements of
certain biochemicals, scientists have determined that the
float tank can bring about a state of extraordinarily
deep relaxation-probably deeper than is possible by any
other means yet available except for certain drugs. This
state of relaxation is in itself beneficial to health,
since it allows the body to maintain its internal system
of checks and balances, its homeostasis. That is, the
body has its own highly effective methods of maintaining
itself at an optimal level of well-being,and if allowed
to operate freely, it will generally do so flawlessly.
But certain mental attitudes can throw this delicate
mechanism out of whack. Stress causes harm by its
disruption of our natural biochemistry. For example,
researchers have recently discovered that, under stress,
Type A personalities secrete forty times as much cortisol
and three times as much adrenaline as Type B men.
Cortisol has been proven to suppress the immune system.
Tests have shown that floating decreases cortisol. Excess
adrenaline, and related biochemicals such as
noradrenaline and ACTH also cause our bodies to rev up in
fight-or-flight response,and, ultimately, to wear out.
Floating, through deep relaxation, lowersa the levels of
the harmful chemicals.
Deep relaxation
is beneficial in another way. Because of what has been
called the curare effect, and as explained by the
Webber-Fechner Law, floating leads to increased sensory
awareness; we simply feel our bodies better, more
clearly, and as a result we are able to regulate them
more effectively. As John V. Basmajian's experiments
showed, we have the capacity to control the firing of a
single motor neuron in the body, once we are made aware
of that neuron.
Deep relaxation
also leads to improved access to internal imagery. And
awareness and control of mental imagery is the key to
self regulation.
© Michael Hutchinson "The
Book Of Floating"
|
