Dr Justin Feinstein at LIBR discovered the positive impact on the brain from a float session using functional Neuroimaging. This ground breaking research explores why floating has such a positive effect on the Brain and nervous system.

Reference: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/hbm.25429

Floatation Medical Studies

Float Science : Examining the short-term anxiolytic and antidepressant effect of Floatation-REST

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The Elicitation of Relaxation and Interoceptive Awareness Using Floatation Therapy in Individuals With High Anxiety Sensitivity

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Case Studies on Fibromyalgia and Burn-out Depression Using Psychotherapy in Combination with Flotation-Rest: Personality Development and Increased Well-Being

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Floatation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis

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Enhancing Creativity

The experience of flotation-REST : Consciousness, Creativity, Subjective Stress and Pain. Kjellgren, Anette. Karlstad University (2003). See Summary Here

Literature on REST Research Enhancement of Creativity Baker D.A.(1987). See Summary Here

The Effects of REST and Hemispheric Synchronization Compared to the Effects of REST and Guided Imagery on the Enhancement of Creativity in Problem-Solving.

2nd International Conference on REST. pp.122-126. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Metcalfe J. & Suedfeld P. (1990). Enhancing the Creativity of Psychologists Through Flotation REST. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.204-212. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.
See Summary Here.

Vartarian O.A. (1997). The Effects of Flotation REST on Musical Creativity. 6th International REST Conference. San Francisco.

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Rest literature

Available Literature on REST Research Books:

Fine T.H. & Turner J.W. (eds.). (1983). First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications. Fine T.H. & Turner J.W. (eds.). (1985). 2nd International Conference on REST.

Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications. Fine T.H. & Turner J.W. (eds.). (1990). Restricted Environmental Stimulation.

Research and Commentary. (Based on the 3rd International Conference on REST). Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press. Suedfeld P. & Turner J.W. & Fine T.H. (eds.). (1990). Restricted Environmental Stimulation.

Theoretical and Empirical Developments in Flotation REST New York : Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Barabasz A.F. & Barabasz M. (eds.) (1993). Clinical and ExperimentalRestricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. (Based on the 4th International Conference on REST) New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc. Hutchison M. (1984). The Book of Floating, Quill, New York.

A list of REST research articles is, with permission of IRIS (International REST Investigators Society) available for each of the following effects.

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Biological Effects

Literature on REST Research Biological Effects:

Barabasz M., O’Neill M. & Scoggin G. (1990). The Physiological Panic Button: New Data. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.112-119. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Budzynski T.H. (1990). Hemespheric Asymmetry and REST. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Theoretical and Empirical Developments in Flotation REST. Pp. 2-21. New York: Sringer-Verlag New York Inc.

Ewy G., Sershon P., Freundlich T. (1990). The Presence or Absence of Light in the REST Experience: Effects on Plasma Cortisol, Blood Pressure and Mood. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.120- 133. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Fine T., Mills D. & Turner J. Jr. (1993). Differential Effects of Wet and Dry Flotation REST on EEG Frequency and Amplitude. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. 205-213. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Fine T. & Turner J.W. (1985). The Use of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension. First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.136-143. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Fine T.& Turner J.W. (1987).The Effect of flotation REST on EMG Biofeedback and Plasma Cortisol. 2nd International Conference on REST. pp.148-155. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Francis W.D. & Stanley J.M. (1985). The Effects of Restricted Environmental Stimulation on Physiological and Cognitive Indices. First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.40-49. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Malowitz R., Tortora T. & Lehmann C.A. (1990). Effects of Floating in a Saturated Epsom Salts Solution Disinfected with Bromine on the Aerobic Microbial Flora of the Skin. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.139-150. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Ruzyla-Smith P. & Barabasz A. (1993). Effects of Flotation REST on the Immune Response: T-Cells, B-Cells, Helper and Suppressor Cells. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 223-238. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Steel G. (1993). Relaxed and Alert:Patterns of T-Wave Amplitude and Heart Rate in a REST Environment. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 249-260. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Turner J.W. & Fine T.H. (1985).Hormonal Changes Associated with Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy.First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.17-39. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Turner J.W. & Fine T.H. (1990). Restricted Environmental Stimulation Influences Plasma Cortisol Levels and Their Variability. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.71-78. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Turner J. Jr. & Fine T.H. (1993). The Physiological Effects of Flotation REST. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 215-222. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Turner J.W. Jr., Fine T. & Hamad N.M. (1997). Plasma Catecholamine Activity During Flotation REST.6th International REST Conference.San Francisco*

Turner J. Jr., Gerard W., Hyland J., Nieland P. & Fine T. (1993). Effects of Wet and Dry Flotation REST on Blood Pressure and Plasma Cortisol. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 239-248. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

Turner J., Fine T.H., McGrady A. & Higgins J.T.(1987). Effects of Biobehaviorally Assisted Relaxation Training on Blood Pressure and Hormone Levels and Their Variation in Normotensives and Essential Hypertansives. 2nd International Conference on REST. pp.87-109. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Turner J. Jr. , Shroeder H. & Fine T.H. (1993). A Method for Continuous Blood Sampling During Flotation REST. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 261-267. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Managing Stress

Dirk Van Dierendonck & Jan Te Nijenhuis (2004) Flotation restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST) as a stress-management tool: A meta-analysis. See summary of research here.

A Kjellgren, F Lyden & T Norlander. (2008) Sensory Isolation in Flotation Tanks: Altered States of Consciousness and Effects on Well-being. Karlstad University, Karlstad, Sweden. See full research here.

S Bood, L & K Nordstrom (2006) Eliciting the Relaxation Response With the Help of Flotation–REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) in Patients With StressRelated Ailments, Karlstad University. See full research here (Depression research).

A., Barabasz M., Dyer R. & Rather N. (1993). Effects of Chamber REST, Flotation REST and Relaxation on Transient Mood State. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp.113-120. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc. See summary of research here.

Ewy G., Sershon P., Freundlich T. (1990). The Presence or Absence of Light the REST Experience: Effects on Plasma Cortisol, Blood Pressure and Mood. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. See summary of research here. pp.120-133. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Fine T. & Turner J.W. (1985). The Use of Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) in the Treatment of Essential Hypertension. First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.136-143. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Helmreich N.E. (1990). The Critical Role of Personality and Organizational Factors as Determinants of Reactions to Restricted and Stressful Environments. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.51-61. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press

Jacobs, Heilbronner & Stanely. (1985). The Effects of Short Term FloatationREST on Relaxation. First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.86-102. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Jacobs G.D., Kemp J.C., Keane K.M.& Belden A.D. (1985). A Preliminary Clinical Outcome Study on a Hospital Based Stress Management Program Utilizing Flotation REST Biofeedback. First International Conference on REST and Self-Regulation. pp.179-185. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Kuola G. M., Kemp J., Keane K.M. & Belden A., (1984).Replication of aClinicalOutcome Study on a Hospital-based Stress Management and Behavioral Medicine Program Utilizing Floatation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Technique) and Biofeedback. 2nd International Conference on REST. pp.127-135. Toledo, Ohio: IRIS Publications.

Dr. Schurbrock, (1996). Treatment of Psychosomatic Illnesses Through Mental Training and Floatations in Oxygenated Magnesium Sulfate Saturated Baths, For Instance in the Treatment of Chronic Relapsing Skin Diseases (Psoriasis, Neurodermatitis) 6th International REST Conference, San Francisco.

Dr. Schurbrock, (1996). Zur Adjuvanten Therapie Chronisch RezidivierterHauterkrankung (Psoriasis-Vulgaris, Neurodermitis) im Magnesium-Sulfat Schwebewasser-Tank in Kombination mit UV-Bestrahlung im Therapiezentrum “Haus Ebersberg”

Wickramasekera I. (1993). A Model of the Common “Active Ingredient” in Stress Reduction Techniques. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp.59-74. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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Managing Chronic Pain and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Borrie R & Dr T Russell (2011) Floatation REST Therapy Results in Pain Relief and Relaxation for Fibromyalgia Patients. London, Berlin, Colleyville & Rotterdam. See summary of research here.

Sven-Ake Bood (2007) Bending and Mending the Neurosignature. Karlstad University Sweden. See summary of research here and also here.

A Kjellgren, U Sundequist, T Norlander, T Archer (2001) Effects of flotation-REST on muscle tension pain. See summary of research here.

H Edebol, T Norlander, S A Bood (2008) Chronic Whiplash-Associated Disorders and Their Treatment Using Flotation-REST. See summary of research here and full view of research here.

Turner J. Jr & Fine T.H. (1985). REST-Assisted Relaxation and Chronic Pain. Medical College of Ohio, Toledo, Ohio, USA. See summary of research here.

Borrie R. (1997). The Benefits of Flotation REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy) in a Pain Management Program. 6th International REST Conference. San Francisco.

McCormick B.A., Shafransky D.R., Fine T.H. & Turner J.W. Jr. (1997). Effects of Flotation REST on Plasma Cortisol in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 6th International REST Conference. San Francisco.

Mereday C., Lehmann C. & Borrie R. (1990). Flotation For The Management of Rheumatoid Arthritis. Restricted Environmental Stimulation: Research and Commentary. pp.255-259. Toledo, Ohio: Medical College of Ohio Press.

Shafransky D.R., McCormick B.A., Fine T.H. & Turner J. Jr. (1997). Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) on Serological Markers of Inflammation in Rheumatoid Arthritis. 6th International REST Conference. San Francisco.

Turner J. Jr., Deleon A., Gibson C. & Fine T.H. (1993). Effects of Flotation REST on Range Motion, Grip Strength and Pain in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Clinical and Experimental Restricted Environmental Stimulation: New Developments and Perspectives. pp. 297-306. New York: Springer-Verlag New York Inc.

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