The Benefits & Science of Float Therapy

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Dr. Justin Feinstein, Director of the Float Clinic & Research Center (FCRC) at the Laureate Institute for Brain Research (LIBR), is pioneering research on the effects of Flotation-REST (Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy) on the brain and body. The FCRC’s mission is to explore float therapy as a treatment for mental health issues, specifically targeting anxiety and depression—two of the most prevalent psychiatric conditions worldwide.

Anxiety and depression impact over 25% of the population and are the leading causes of disability globally. Traditional treatments, including medication and talk therapy, show limited effectiveness, with only about half of patients experiencing significant improvement. For those with both anxiety and depression, outcomes can be even less favorable, making the exploration of alternative treatments like float therapy crucial.

Dr. Feinstein’s groundbreaking study is the first large-scale float therapy trial focused on patients with various anxiety and stress-related disorders, such as PTSD, agoraphobia, panic disorder, social phobia, and generalized anxiety. The study's findings demonstrate significant clinical and physiological changes that floating can induce, opening doors to new possibilities for treating mental health conditions.

M.C. Flux, a researcher from the University of Colorado Boulder, has delved into the relationship between the immune system and float therapy. At the 2018 Float Conference, he shared insights on the biochemical processes triggered by stress and the body’s fight-or-flight response, which directly affects immune function.

In his groundbreaking research, Flux presents data suggesting that float therapy may positively influence the immune response. By reducing stress and shifting the body away from the fight-or-flight state, floating could potentially support immune health, helping the body recover and remain resilient.