Sensory Deprivation Research Paper

2257 Words5 Pages

How Sensory Deprivation Affects the Mind and Body
Sensory Deprivation experiments have been around the world since the early 1900's. In the ways of relaxation and torture. People have always been curious to know what happens if the five essential human senses are taken away. The human senses help everyone make sense of in the insane, fast paced, stressed world.. Not having one of the senses can lead to the process of learning how to live comfortably without that certain input of senses. While having none of the senses can lead to creating a persons own world by hallucinating. Without having any of the senses, can one get in contact with the supernatural? One experiment suggests that it is possible depending on the person and what state of mind …show more content…

Work or their regular lives can weigh them down and cause stress and anxiety. Some people try meditation, prayer and even plain venting to friends, but those may not be the most effective options for everyone. Sensory deprivation is a way that most people have not heard of or completely disregard as a way to achieve relaxation. It may be a costly way, but reports say that the body and mind will feel at peace and be extremely relaxed. Spas around the United States are offering types of sensory deprivation to help people relieve stress and just experience what it is like to be completely …show more content…

This type of sensory deprivation is most commonly used for the public at spas. “The second method of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy is floatation. In this method, participants enter a tank or pool which has been filled with water and Epsom salts and is at body temperature,” (Hanchett). Spas can use the floatation REST to relax their clients. The water is saturated with Epsom salts to allow the participants to float, so there is no drowning. It is almost impossible to drown if the participant keeps their body upright and follow the instructions of the particular REST station. “Weightlessness, while not experienced in chamber REST, is able to be experienced in floatation REST, adding greatly to the sensory deprivation,” (Hanchett). The buoyancy of the salt water gives the participant a zero gravity type feeling. Unlike chamber REST, the feeling of the water is present, but after a while of being in the floatation tank, the feeling goes away. Sensory deprivation has also shown to be beneficial to curing diseases. “These chambers (or isolation tanks) have been shown useful in treating chronic musculoskeletal pain, hypertension, and motion disorders (such as vertigo and headaches). Some studies have also shown that it can help with insomnia and smoking cessation,” (Hanchett). If the body can focus on itself, it can heal its body and mind. “Most of the research shows, however, that the overwhelming majority of people

Open Document