Clarifying the solution… Phase 1 data update of an experiment involving sensory isolation in floatation tanks as a method of promoting psi phenomena

Inspired by the insights and recommendation of John Lilly (1969), inventor and pioneer of the floatation tank as a means of inducing altered states of consciousness (by vastly reducing environmental stimuli), Cooper, Saunders and Hitchman (2020) conducted a pilot study exploring the utility of floatation in a psi task, funded by the SPR. This presentation will offer an updates on subsequent extended replication undertaken by the current team. Furthermore, we explore any significance of both the experiential qualities and contents of consciousness e.g., visual imagery, sense of time and also, any correlations with individual differences of participants i.e., transliminality creativity and sensory processing sensitivity (Hitchman, Rock & Roe, 2023).

Participants rae enclosed in a 'tank' in which they lie on a body of epsom salt solution, so dense it is buoyant enough to support them physically without any effort or technique. They are thus, suspended in a dark, quiet, 'weightless' condition that is also warmed to body temperature, encouraging the 'floatee' to relax deeply (Lilly, 1969; 1972). Consequently, participants may also experience a loss of environmental sensory influence, bodily orientation - and in some cases, their sense of Self completely. It is hypothesised that floatation as a Noise Reduction Model (Honorton, 1977) will eliminate external influences ('noise'), allowing the person to become more aware of their inner experience ("inperience", Lilly, 1972), intuitive feelings and extra-sensory of 'psychic' materials. Participants are given thee goal of having imagery that will help them to identify a precognitive target video.

Post-float, participants were shown four video clips, which they rank in terms of similarity (or felt familiarity) to their float experience. After they had made their judgement, a random number generator then selected which clip was the designated target for that trial. Therefore, this protocol should yield a 25% chance of correctly 'guessing' which clip will become the target, by chance alone, a '1 in 4' chance.

In this presentation we will summarise the quantitative and qualitative outcomes from this experiment and reflect on their implications for further work.