top of page
Cannabis Cactus

Sensory Deprivation Tanks


Spending sixty minutes in a sensory deprivation tank may sound a bit scary to some of you, but I’m eager and excited to explain why every member of our cannabis community should give it a try. I first learned about float tanks the same way most people did, The Joe Rogan Experience Podcast. Joe’s been talking about the benefits ever since he purchased a tank for his home in 2003, and describes floating as “an amazing way to change the way you look at the world, see yourself, and be with your thoughts… it’s one of the best tools for human development.” Needless to say, when I heard there was a Float Spa in Tempe, I couldn’t resist. I’ve been visiting True Rest twice a month for 4 years because it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to relax and reset my mind and body. The tank is a wonderful place for focus and reflection, because it’s the only place where we can be completely free from distraction.  Through my own experiences and conversations with other members and staff, I’ve come to realize that floating provides many similar benefits as cannabis (both physical and mental), and so much more. I truly can’t think of a better way to bring value to our community and the readers of Cannabis Cactus. Floating just works, and here’s why…

Imagine floating effortlessly in a pool of water, heated to body-temperature and filled with 1000 pounds of epsom salt. As the water settles and the music comes to a silence, you find yourself alone in a dark abyss with nothing other than your own thoughts. You may feel slightly overwhelmed at first and you’ll probably wonder “does my inner voice ever shut up?”, but being alone with our mind gives us a unique opportunity to calm this inner chatter and sort through our thoughts. It gives us a chance to dismiss ideas and emotions that no longer serve us, and deal with things that we may have been putting off. It allows us to evaluate our life and goals, and further explore the things that bring us peace and happiness. Our minds are constantly at work from the moment we wake up until the moment we go to sleep, so I think it’s incredibly important for us to set aside some time like this for ourselves. Meditation has been shown to have profound effects on the mind and body. Floatation tanks provide the perfect environment to help us reach this state, reducing stress, anxiety, insomnia, depression, PTSD, ADHD and the list goes on. It has even been shown to reduce symptoms from conditions like autism and fibromyalgia, and the theta waves that your brain produces in this state can also result in a greater sense of well being and creativity.

Floating does wonders for mental health and clarity, but let’s not forget all the physical benefits. Over 87% of Arizona MMJ patients are cardholders due to chronic pain, so I think it’s important to note that pain relief is one of the biggest benefits of the tank. Floating removes the constant physical pressures of sitting or standing, and puts your whole body into a deep state of relaxation, increasing blood flow and decompressing the spine. Many people I’ve met at True Rest use the tank specifically to manage their pain, and the results are remarkable. One woman I spoke to was floating nearly everyday after a rough knee surgery, and her doctors were amazed by how quickly she healed. More and more athletes are now incorporating this therapy into their regular routines as well, because it helps speed up the recovery time from training and injuries. The magnesium sulfate (epsom salt) in the water also assists with this healing, while flushing out toxins from the body and reducing inflammation. Since inflammation seems to be major cause of most dis-ease these days, you can imagine what else this might help with!

Floatation therapy has become my favorite way to relax and reboot, especially after a long week, and I can’t think of a better way to start the new year. True Rest has numerous locations across the valley, so I highly encourage you all to join me at one of their spas this January and take advantage of all that floating has to offer. You’ll leave there feeling like a weight’s been lifted off your shoulders, and any anxiety, stress or tension you felt upon starting your float will be filtered out in the pod. Experiences may vary from person to person and float to float, but rest assured, the outcome will be nothing short of incredible. For a chance to experience the sensory deprivation tank, make sure you’re following me on Instagram at @hip2thecrop. I believe in the benefits of floating so much that I’ll be giving away a couple free one-hour sessions this month, and I hope to offer many more opportunities like this in the future! Thanks to True Rest in Tempe, Cannabis Cactus readers can enjoy a first-time float for only $39 when you mention this article, valid through the end of February! Also, be sure to ask about their veterans specials!

For more articles by @Hip2theCrop, click here.

0 comments

Comments


Subscribe to get exclusive updates

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page