Experience after Floatation-REST: Relaxation during floating mediates the afterglow effect.
Consciousness and cognition April 1, 2025 Iraklis Pantazis, Marc Wittmann 5 citations
A crossover study with 34 participants found that 60 minutes of Floatation-REST (floating in a dark, quiet tank of thermoneutral salt water) produced significantly weaker body boundaries, greater time distortion, and more relaxation compared to Bed-REST. After floating, participants reported a stronger afterglow, more state mindfulness, and greater interoceptive awareness. Relaxation during floating fully explained the afterglow effect in a mediation analysis. These results align with psychedelic research, suggesting Floatation-REST can elicit similar afterglow experiences.