It looks like an escape pod, and it kind of is.

Gone are the days when most skateboarders, pro or not, hang up the board in their early twenties. As long as there isn’t any serious injuries people are skating much longer. The large portion of skateboarders that are aging steadily closer towards their golden years are exploring ways to feel younger and stay healthy. Switching up your diet, having an exercise routine, or simply cutting back on the adult sodas are common but there are a lot of other options for wellness. I first heard about sensory deprivation tanks on the Joe Rogan Podcast but never had the opportunity until now.

Proper relaxation attire.

(Sendep) or perceptual isolation is the deliberate reduction or removal of stimuli from one or more of the senses. Simple devices such as blindfolds or hoods and earmuffs can cut off sight and hearing. The more complex devices can also cut off the sense of smell, touch, taste, thermoception (heat-sense), and ‘gravity’. I was in one of the more complex devices, and I ate an edible before going in which I highly recommend everyone tries. 

We all use pre-float soap down here, Georgie.

The initial experience was nothing special. I washed off with the pre float soap and climbed into the capsule feeling like Neil Armstrong prepping for a trip to the moon. For a while I laid there in total darkness. My thoughts of daily tasks and things I needed to do were followed by relationships and personal shit. When my mind finally ran out of things and I focused on my breathing it got a whole lot more relaxing. This was about the time the edible kicked in as well.

Don’t be afraid of the not-quite-so-infinite abyss.

I thought I was tripping when this green light started to enter my peripheral vision. I kept looking but there was no light, and its brightness surged with each inhale. I started to freak out a little but then I calmed down and decided to ride this out. I explored what the light would do with my breath and I actively tried to find ways to control it. The color changed from green to blue and then split into a million pieces like a dandelion blowing in the wind. These visions started to swirl and I enjoyed it. Feeling totally relaxed, the light show in my mind faded out, and then I got bored. I only knew this because I realized I was splashing around in the darkness. I ended up opening the door, hung out for a minute or two and went back in for the rest of my time. When the music started playing to signal my time was up, I was ready to get out. I can’t sit still for too long, it’s just not who I am.

The mix is about 40% Epsom salt. Great for your muscles.

After getting out, not only was my mind relaxed. My body felt better than it had in months. I have herniated discs in my lower back and total cartilage loss in my left hip (I have to get a hip replacement in January) so to stand up and not feel any pain was like a total miracle. I was able to go skating that night which is always a win. I’d recommend this to anyone who is curious, but if you get bored easily like me maybe try a 60-minute session. I didn’t know it when I signed up but I had paid for a 90-minute session that felt like I was gone for a week. In the city there are a few places to check out like Blue Light Floatation ($80 for 1 hour), Floating Lotus ($150 for 1 hour), or Lift Floats ($79 for 1 hour). There are others, and the average price is about $80, you just have to find the place that is right for you, and most places offer multiple session packages at a discount.