By now we’ve all heard about the myriad health benefits of floatation therapy (especially if you’ve been to Float Valley). No doubt you’ve read how floating is similar to meditation with respect to its physical and mental health benefits. Meditation has a plethora of benefits and floating is a unique and phenomenal tool used to cultivate mental stillness. It often generates a sensation of being intensely awake yet extremely relaxed. It can induce theta-state brainwaves and allows for one to remain conscious in this frequency without falling asleep – a technique that zen monks spend years trying to perfect. For some, floating may also induce an altered state of consciousness.
But how does one actually calm the mind down enough to reap these amazing benefits and enter this zen state? Some may ask: What if I can’t stop the monkey mind long enough or soon enough to get into a theta brainwave and relax in the tank? Well that’s where CBD comes in. Studies currently suggest that CBD counters stress and anxiety (recurrent, intrusive thoughts that create out-of-proportion fight or flight responses) by stimulating neurotransmitter systems and neural regeneration in the brain to help calm the body.
Our bodies naturally produce cannabinoids, which are used throughout the body and brain in the endocannabinoid system. This system can become dysregulated under chronic stress. However, CBD could help restore balance to the endocannabinoid system by preventing overstimulation of your CB1 receptors and by boosting your body’s production of endocannabinoids. Studies show that CBD relieves OCD and other anxious behaviours by acting on the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in processing and forgetting our fears.
Many people claim that floatation therapy allows them to do some deep introspection in the tank and the added benefit of CBD allows them to stay calm as they process (sometimes painful) memories, helping the float session serve as very personal therapy for mind, body and soul. For more information on Floating visit www.floatvalley.com, located in Markham, ON.
