How Did Lilly's Research Affect The Brain And Mind Without Changing The Mind?

Lilly was a psychoanalyst and neurophysiologist who set out to create an environment in which he could conduct scientific research on the brain and explore its electrical activity. He was seeking to answer questions which had evaded him thus far in the several decades of his prior research. After concluding that he could go no further in his research of the correspondence between brain and mind without harming or changing the brain, Lilly began seeking answers in a different realm, the brain’s consciousness. In particular, he was curious about what was required for the brain to remain in a conscious state. At the time, science had two contrasting theories on this matter. The first was that the brain required external stimulus to remain conscious.

With his associate, Jay Shurley, MD, Lilly created a rubber mask and breathing contraption as their first attempt at sensory restriction. The mask and tank combination proved to be very effective but quite different from the floating experience of today; the floater was suspended dangling in an upright position, submerged underwater. With the mask, Lilly and Shurley were able to block out many of the biggest contributors to sensory stimulation, including: light, sound, much gravity, temperature fluctuations, and the risk of encountering another person. The two tested their invention on themselves and quickly concluded that the brain did not need external stimuli to stay conscious, and instead relied on its own internal systems. Finding their sensory deprivation experience to be extremely relaxing and restorative, rather than what many had assumed would be stressful; they had great motivation to continue exploring the therapy. The scientific community of the time did not embrace his discoveries, but Lilly continued his floatation