Aquahenosis: A non-pharmacological altered state of consciousness induced by Floatation-REST

Floatation-REST, a non-pharmacological therapy involving neutral buoyancy and reduced sensory input, induces altered states of consciousness characterized by oceanic boundlessness, disembodiment, unity, and spiritual-type experiences—termed “aquahenosis.” In a randomized controlled feasibility trial with 75 treatment-seeking adults with anxiety and depression, six sessions of Floatation-REST increased interoceptive awareness of cardiorespiratory sensations and produced these altered states more than a zero-gravity chair condition. Effects were strongest with longer, flexible sessions. Experiential profiles overlapped with those from psilocybin and ketamine on boundary-dissolution dimensions, identifying Floatation-REST as a tractable method for inducing specific altered states linked to positive affective change.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Floatation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) systematically alters sensory and bodily input by combining neutral buoyancy, thermal and proprioceptive neutrality, attenuation of exteroceptive stimulation, and enhancement of cardiorespiratory signaling to the brain. Here we examined whether this non-pharmacological sensory perturbation induces altered states of consciousness and whether specific experiential dimensions are statistically related to changes in affect. In a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled feasibility trial, 75 treatment-seeking adults with anxiety and depression were assigned to six sessions of floatation-REST with prescribed scheduling, floatation-REST with preferred scheduling and duration, or a zero-gravity chair comparison condition. Altered states of consciousness were assessed using the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness questionnaire, alongside measures of interoceptive awareness and affect. Compared to the chair condition, Floatation-REST was associated with increased interoceptive awareness of cardiorespiratory sensations and an altered state of consciousness characterized by oceanic boundlessness, disembodiment, unity, and spiritual-type experiences—a pattern we refer to as “aquahenosis.” Effects were strongest among participants who selected longer and more flexible float sessions. Experiential profiles selectively overlapped with those reported for psilocybin and ketamine along boundary-dissolution dimensions. These findings identify Floatation-REST as a tractable, non-pharmacological method for inducing specific altered states of consciousness and highlight positively valenced boundary dissolution as a modality-invariant experiential dimension linking sensory context to affective change.