What is happenning while floating From the medical point of view the Central Nervous System at the level of the hypothalamic, pituitary and brain stem regions, experience a dramatic restriction of external stimuli in Floatation. The reticular formation and its reticular activating system, that normally trigger the activation of the cerebral cortex, sub-cortical regions, and the hypothalamic/pituitary axis are defuse, allowing the reticular inhibitory system to take over.
This triggers the relaxation response even further by inhibiting the release of Corticotrophin Releasing Factor, ACTH, and stops the stimulation of the autonomic nervous system via the sympathetic nerves to the adrenal medullae. This in turn inhibits the release of the neuro-transmitters epinephrine and norepinephrine, that are associated with distress, with the fight and flight response and its consequent muscular tension and anxiety.
What happens at the level of the body's phvsiology
Due to the inactivation of the sympathetic nervous system experienced during deep relaxation, we find numerous physiological changes that normalise the inner homeostatic mechanisms. The electrocardiogram shows a decrease in the heart rate. There is a decrease and normalisation of the breathe rate, the EEG shows a slowing down of the electrical activity of the brain generating alpha and theta waves that are associated with deep states of relaxation. The electromyography shows a decrease of the electrical activity of the muscles that is associated with a release of muscular tension and a better blood flow at this level.
There is a decrease in the consumption of oxygen associated with the decrease of the metabolic rate. There is a decrease in the production of lactic acid and an increase of its elimination from the system. Since lactic acid is associated with muscular pain and anxiety the patient in the Floatation therapy is able to overcome these two common symptoms.
The levels of encephalon produced in the brain and released into the brain stem and spine is a very important aspect of the relaxation response. Recent research studying the characteristics of these encephalons has shown that the molecular structure is very similar to morphine and therefore the name of endorphins has been given to them. Their main characteristics are the ability to be natural painkillers in the organism by blocking the recept9rs in the synaptic neurones for the transmission of pain. They also produce a sense of well being and euphoria without any side effects.

We Love Endorphins

Kane
www.floatmatrix.com