All Episodes

June 28, 2017 17 mins

Carol Hirschfeld gives flotation pods a try to see whether they could be an answer for those looking to de-stress.

By Kate Pereyra-Garcia

Watch a video segment from the episode here

On the surface, flotation pods sound a bit wacky: enclosed bath tubs with 30 centimetres of water and a lot of Epsom salts.

The water and room temperature are set at about 36°C - the average body temperature. You climb in, lie back and shut yourself off from the world, hopefully slipping into a state of mental and physical relaxation. At least, that's the idea.

The pods were created by American John Lilly, in the 1950s. He called them sensory deprivation pods.

He's a controversial scientist who took LSD and ketamine and also believed humans could speak to dolphins.

But Anton Kuznetsov, the owner of Auckland-based Float Culture, said he became hooked after his first float and decided to open his own business.

They're doing so well they're looking to expand, despite the $40,000 price tag of the float pods.

He said several of their clients have been with them for years.

"Others just say the weight of the whole world fell off their shoulders, they felt great for days after their float and it's just changed their life."

The scientific research on the potential benefits of flotation, however, is limited and, as Discover magazine puts it, "imperfect", given the small size of the studies done and the question over how to create a control group.

Do you control, for example, for light, sound, water or temperature? And without proper controls, it's difficult to know whether the benefits claimed come from the floating, or some other factor.

Back when Lilly was first experimenting in this area, it was described as the study of "sensory deprivation" and was associated with tales of attempts to brainwash or torture prisoners of war. But in the 1970s a new generation of social scientists renamed the experience REST (Restricted Environmental Stimulation Therapy).

But the conundrum remains. What for some is bliss, for others may be torture.

Despite claims of increased creativity, an easing of chronic pain and improved mental health, the research just isn't comprehensive. One study quoted as worthy of attention is a 2005 meta-analysis of 27 studies, which found floating was effective at reducing stress; seemingly more than relaxation exercises or slumping on the couch.

Col, a client at Float Culture, said floating had a huge effect on his pain levels and openness to life.

"It took me quite a few floats to actually get past that baseline anxiety and actually relax…

Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Crime Junkie

Crime Junkie

Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.