Warwickshire Avon - Thaumaturgy and Taphophobia

Now a sensory deprivation tank, also called an isolation tank or flotation tank, is used for restricted environmental stimulation therapy (REST). It is a dark, soundproof tank that is filled with a foot or less of salt water.

The first tank was designed in 1954 by John C. Lilly, an American physician and neuroscientist. He designed the tank to study the origins of consciousness by cutting off all external stimuli.

His research took a controversial turn in the 1960s. 

That’s when he began experimenting with sensory deprivation while under the effects of LSD, a hallucinogenic, and ketamine, a fast-acting anaesthetic that is known for its ability to sedate and create a trance-like state.

In the 1970s, commercial float tanks were created and began being studied for possible health benefits. 

These days, finding a sensory deprivation tank is easy, with float centres and spas offering float therapy all over the world. And as of today post lockdown many health spas and the like are open, fill your boots !!!

Their increase in popularity may be due in part to the scientific evidence. Studies suggest time spent floating in a sensory deprivation tank may have some benefits in healthy people, such as muscle relaxation, better sleep, decrease in pain, and decreased stress and anxiety.

It's one of those things you need to try first to see if you will get one with it. Probably not suitable for the claustrophobia suffers amongst us.  

Or worse still those that suffer with taphophobia, yeah that means being buried alive, maybe not for you.

The water in a sensory deprivation tank is heated to skin temperature and nearly saturated with Epsom salts (magnesium sulfate), providing buoyancy so you float more easily. 

You enter the tank butt naked and are cut off from all outside stimulation, including sound, sight, and gravity when the tank’s lid or door is closed. As you float weightless in the silence and darkness, the brain is supposed to enter into a deeply relaxed state.

Sensory deprivation tank therapy is said to produce several effects on the brain, ranging from hallucinations to enhanced creativity. 

Many people have reported having hallucinations in a sensory deprivation tank. Over the years, studies have shown that sensory deprivation does induce psychosis-like experiences.

Benefits ? yeah plenty

There are many claims about flotation-REST causing feelings of overwhelming happiness and euphoria. 

People have reported experiencing mild euphoria, increased well-being, and feeling more optimistic following therapy using a sensory deprivation tank.

Others have reported spiritual experiences, deep inner peace, sudden spiritual insight, and feeling as if they were born anew.It has also been found to be effective in reducing anxiety and helping with pain. 

It's a great way to get away from it all, it really is. So anyway back to the session, Sam wanted to catch a few small fish down the bleak swim and gonk hole, so after a visit to one of the local pubs where the landlord knows how to keep a decent pint and a slap up Sunday roast we were off to catch a few fish.

God knows what had gone on at the match here 24 hours before, the official parking churned up something chronic. I can only assume some of the white vans here had traction problems trying to get out. 

Not only that but we had to remove litter in a few swims we fished. Anglers get a bad wrap because of the minority of angling idiots who basically couldn't care less. Sam was shocked as was I, he's been brought up to care for the environment and litter especially is a no no. 

You could tell it was fresh litter too, what is up with some people, spoiling it for the good anglers out there. The carp park is now out of bounds for most vehicles now I'd imagine, luckily some of the rubbish bagged up and now in my bin at home, not exactly hard is it.  

The problem is the culprits won't change now, it would need a miracle. 

Now I'd not seen the river so low in all the years I'd been fishing it. There has always been extraction here to water the crops but I can only assume it's also because of the lack of rain. 

We had a drop a few days back nothing to write home about so the levels are very low indeed. It's very clear too but still some of the swims have the odd deep hole so there are still fish to be caught especially when using maggots.

 

And what fish doesn't like a maggot. Sam manned the float rod throughout the short session and managed a variety of tiddlers which to be honest was the purpose of this trip. Gudgeon, perch, roach, bleak, dace and tiny chub.

Sam can often get distracted with motionless floats and bob less bobbins so this sort of fishing on small rivers is ideal to keep his attention. 

He is also taking more notice of the environment and added a lapwing to his growing bird spotting list. Ok he likes Minecraft and Fortnite like his peers but luckily for him I've taken him fishing with me since he was 4 years old. 

I've been asked by friends to take their kids fishing. I'm happy with that and will get something sorted, but fishing for me is often an escape to solitude. 

You don't get that taking kids fishing believe you me, but we need the next generation of anglers to be like-minded, otherwise angling will fizzle out.