Recently I spent two hours in an isolation tank. I’d heard Joe Rogan talking about it and I wanted to try it.
There are many supposed benefits of floating in an isolation tank. The two things that influenced me the most to try the tank were promises of uninterrupted thought and creativity.
I get so annoyed by interruptions, I wanted a peaceful way to think my thoughts and plan my plots. I found peaceful thought in the tank, sort of, but I really found it outside of the tank.
I stumbled on a method that gives me the same benefits of the isolation tank but I’m still able to work and take notes if I want to. In the tank, all you can do is lay there.
Floating in the tank was a great experience, but what it certainly wasn’t practical. Thankfully there is a practical way to get the benefits of floating in an isolation tank.
It’s called…
Sunglasses and Headphones
The Practical Way to Think Your Thoughts In Peace
You know I’m not going to tell you just to put on sunglasses and headphones. There is a “secret trick” to it.
See, inside the tank you enter the dream state. Why? Because in the tank you enter the theta state. The theta state is what makes those discoveries in the tank possible.
So why not just use the isolation tank?
The tank is fun, but not everyone owns a tank in their house like Joe Rogan does. Not everyone even has access to a tank in their city. Not everyone has the time to lie around naked in a tank of saltwater.
The method I’m going to show you is practical for nearly everybody on earth. The trick to thinking your thoughts in peace is two-part:
1. You have to use NOISE-CANCELING headphones.
Noise canceling headphones drown out all the nasty noise and interruptions. In fact, you never realize how loud the world is until you wear noise-canceling headphones. It’s INSANE how loud the everyday world is, no wonder it’s too hard to focus.
(Below, I’ll show you the headphones I use. They’re wireless so you can walk around and not worry about carrying your computer or phone with you. If you can’t wait until the end, these are the noise-canceling headphones I use: Bose QuietComfort 35.)
2. You have to listen to something that puts you in a dream state.
When I say you need headphones, I’m not talking about just putting on headphones and rocking out to Stairway to Heaven. That won’t work, you’ll become engrossed in the song if you play music. I’m not talking about listening to music, I’m talking about entering a “dream state.” To enter a dream state, what you play are called binaural beats.
“A binaural beat is an auditory illusion perceived when two different pure-tone sine waves, both with frequencies lower than 1500 Hz, with less than a 40 Hz difference between them, are presented to a listener dichotically (one through each ear). For example, if a 530 Hz pure tone is presented to a subject’s right ear, while a 520 Hz pure tone is presented to the subject’s left ear, the listener will perceive the auditory illusion of a third tone, in addition to the two pure-tones presented to each ear. The third sound is called a binaural beat, and in this example would have a perceived pitch correlating to a frequency of 10 Hz, that being the difference between the 530 Hz and 520 Hz pure tones presented to each ear.” Wiki
Can you listen to any binaural beat and get the same effect as in the isolation tank?
No, you have to listen to a specific style and frequency of beat to get the same effects as you get in the isolation tank.
There are five main Binaural waves: Theta, Delta, Alpha, Beta, and Gamma.
- Theta Waves cause a dream like state and give you a relaxed feeling.
- Delta Waves are relaxing and if used while sleeping will help you wake up rejuvenated.
- Alpha Waves help to eliminate stress which allows you to perform better.
- Beta Waves are a high frequency wave that cause you to be focused and help with getting things done.
- Gamma Waves are perfect for studying as they are relaxing, but not too much that you get tired.
The biggest benefit of the isolation tank is the “dream state.” To get into the isolation tank mindset you have to play theta waves, which are beats in 432Hz.
432Hz is the frequency of theta beats. Remember, theta is the dream state and it’s why people go to the isolation tanks.
Listening to 432Hz music resonates inside our body, releases emotional blockages and expands our consciousness. 432Hz allows us to tune into the wisdom of the Universe, Divine Intelligence and our Soul. It creates Unity instead of separation. It expands our hearts and make us more compassionate and loving.
A deep theta beat is exactly what I wish was playing inside the isolation tank when I was in it.
Honestly, the tank was too quiet. It could have benefited from binaural beats.
How to Get The Isolation Tank Experience
1. Get your noise canceling headphones on (preferably wireless)
Optional - Put on sunglasses or a sleep mask (to mimic the sensory deprivation you would get in the isolation tank)
2. Turn on theta beats. When I do this, I get incredible ideas and revelations. Be careful when you do this though because it’s easy to lose hours. You really do “get into the zone” when you play theta beats.
This is one of the exact beats I use (and I promise, I get totally LOST in a dream state when I do this):
How to listen to this this audio:
- You can purchase this specific audio file here.
- Don’t tell anyone I told you, but this is how you play YouTube videos on a continuous loop.
Why noise-canceling headphones?
You should use noise-canceling headphones because you want to block out distractions and interruptions, just like in the isolation tank.
Noise, interruption and distraction should be canceled, that’s why you use noise-canceling headphones.
You just turn them on and noise instantly goes away and you’re able to focus on whatever you want and tune everything else out.
What headphones should you use?
I personally use Bose QuietComfort 35 noise-canceling headphones.
They are wireless, the sound is just good (certainly not studio quality), but the noise-cancelation is fantastic.
In my experience, the noise cancelation on the Bose headphones is incredible. You can put them on with no music and you hear nothing, it’s really like “turning off” the world.
Then, when you actually do play theta beats, you enter a different world.
How do noise canceling headphones actually eliminate noise?
The headphones react and measure outside noise. By doing this it sends an electronic signal to the earcups that cancels out the noise.
It’s the precise arrangement of microphones inside and outside the earcups. It’s proprietary electronics that continuously measure, compare and react to outside noises. And it’s the electronics sending an equal and opposite signal to the earcups’ speakers to cancel those noises.
Where to buy noise canceling headphones?
Wow I was thinking when will you upload your new article. So i went on the tab with your opened site and refreshed it. Poof. here comes the new one. Keep up the good work, stay bold, bro!
I would add that one of the “effects” of a floatation tank is the MASSIVE absorption of MAGNESIUM
so I warm bath in Epsom salt before the relaxation
or a magnesium spray on the skin
might “amp up” the effect.
You can also use the ganzfeld effect with a halfed ping pong ball.
Enjoy
Uncle Hack
Nice, definitely more practical. Do you have a mental process once the headphones go on? For instance, I like to first lay down with my back straight (no pillow), put the theta waves track on, then I will focus on my breathing and the way my body feels initially. This can help me become more relaxed, quicker, for a more efficient transition into an uninterrupted theta state. Then the creativity flows!
But hey maybe your a natural and this state comes easily to you with just the binaural beats and sunglasses.
Great article to help people kick off their meditative practice, thanks!
I’m so glad that you find those beneficial Victor. I use those exact same headphones all the time but I really appreciate them when I fly. They truly cancel out everything. The hum of the aircraft, that crying child a few rows over, everything. And the sound quality is pristine!
I have not tried binaural beats though so that’s definitely something that I’ll have to try. Thanks for spreading good information.
I would be really interested to know if you have ever enjoyed a session of Bikram (Hot) yoga. When I started it a few years ago, I found it to be quite challenging. It forced me to enter a very focused, meditative state in order to achieve full expressions of the postures. After 1.5 hours of that I always feel very calm and …”ready” is the best way I can describe it.
“I would be really interested to know if you have ever enjoyed a session of Bikram (Hot) yoga.”
Never have.
hey cody can these headphones fold? like the seinhesier? i have a backpack i take to class so if i need to store them i was wondering how much of a hassle it would be . thx
Thanks. Now I’m good to go to enter another world from mine.
P.S., Immediately after reading it, I obviously thought wrong by guessing these headphones must be “digital drugs”, because it sounded as if you are promoting about something I have learnt of ages ago as I’m now stumped with surprise filled with amazement. “Why did I not SEE this at the first place?!”
Never thought I would read something alike this again.
I’ll prepare to find what’s it to me based from your recommendation Professor Vic’. Once more, keep mentoring.
Thank you for reminding me about binaural and isochronic beats, Vic. I used to be a big fan of this thing. Then I changed to brain.fm. This service is amazing! Gives you a hell of unbelievable focus. The first week feels like modafinil in music format, but later you get used to that because of repeating tracks. And this is the only flaw, so if they increased the library to the point of unlimited diversity of new tracks without repeating it’d be a revolution, because the tracks are genius!
The only thing that your great article lacks is a link to download the soundtrack…
Very excited about your upcoming books.
I have added it for you my friendly friend. #1 rule of B&D, always make it EASY.
Damn, after two years of B&D, it seems I’ve learned nothing.
This sounds really interesting.
While one of my favorite aspects to floating is the simulated weightlessness from the Epsom salt saturated water, this sounds much easier and available for when you can’t get to a float tank.
I used to listen to hypnotic tracks with high quality headphones and was always amazed how much they actually work.
Sometimes if I couldn’t fall asleep I would use the track to go into a hypnotic trance which would then lead to sleep.
I’ve also used your sleep tip for taking 5-htp before bed and that definitely works.
I’ve heard of these binaural beats before and have heard small samplings, but now after reading your post I’ll give them more serious attention.
Thanks for the unique information.
All the best,
D
Hi Vic,
Do you lay down on a bed when you do this or can you do it while sitting?
Thanks, Paul
Man i used to do that before starting my meditation session.May i suggest if you have the time, a cold bath BEFORE the session.It will enhance the experience a lot.
This is excellent. I’d never considered the possibility that playing music is the reason I can’t enter a trance listening to most music anymore.
Binaural beats are going to be a game changer.
Excellent advice. I have used the binaural beats with great success and thought that was the direction you were going to go from the previous article. Thanks for putting practical and easy to use info out there for everyone. I appreciate what you do to help people live more productive lives.
Vic an advice , do not listen to this wave shit in the evening, why? Try it once and write your experience here and you will get the answer.
Thank you for all the info. How often do you do this?
Installing blackout shades over my home windows helped me too. I live in the city, so the daily noise and light that floods in is considerable.
I’ll let you decide whether this post gets shown, but another site you can try to help listen to the video offline is www dot convert2mp3 dot net
… or just buy a Zen float tank (~2.5k$) and float whenever you want at home. That’s what I did. There is a huge physiological component to floating that you can not achieve with what you are suggesting - magnesium (full *involuntary* muscular relaxation), distortion of perception for temperature, space, as well as “absolutely no” light hitting your corneas.
It just can’t compare…
cant decide whether to buy this or the seinhesier momnetum 2.0
apprently bose has better noise cancelling but worse sound quality.. seinhesier has great sound quality but not as good noise cancelling!
Thank u so much. U are my hero
I really almost your articles it is one of the best Article ever read no needy so amazing.
I’m basketball From Somalia I told my friend to Read the winner Website. When i listen the binural beat I gives me Confident., Courage, Ridd off Fear, Keep going , and Beleive your dream, U are smart Genius, Brilliant, Genius, Well building Spartns . Thanku u Buddy!!!!!
Good job buddy U are Smart
You should try Brain wave entrainment and Cranial-electro Stimulation. It’s pretty much the same thing but you have glasses with LEDs on the inside that can be set to different colors and different frequencies to activate different brain waves. And You attach these two electrodes to your ears and it stimulates your brain.The audio matches up with the lights and the electrodes to get all around mental stimulation. I can meditate for an hour straight with this thing on when normal I can’t even meditate for a straight 5 minutes. I used the Mind Alive Delight Pro. Downside is that it costs about $550 that’s why I had to sell mine. One day..
I listen to an online noise generator at mynoise.net using wired headphones.
I like the idea of using a Bose headset with the wireless setup.
My favorite is the ‘Binaural Beat Machine’ using a 10-carrier Pure Sine Wave Binaural Beat Generator.
It has the ability to change freq quickly ‘Delta,Theta,Alpha,Beta’, plus there is an app for it.
mynoise.net/NoiseMachines/binauralBrainwaveGenerator
sometimes I will run several different noise generators together ie: ocean waves, rain, beats or the ‘Isochronic Tones Custom Brainwave Entrainment Machine’
Like singing bowls? they got them too.
I’ll have to get some really dark sunglasses next.
Is gamma the best for studying/learning new material in your opinion? solfeggio frequency + 40hz gamma gets the job done right?
I love that Joe has talked about his isolation tank so much that now you can’t mention an isolation tank without mentioning him! lol. I love Joe Rogan.
Insane! 5 days since I tried and the results are incredible.
You made me discover three game-changers that have boosted my brain and wellness this year! First was modafinil. Second was phenibut. Third is theta waves.
Thank you Uncle Vic ;-)
Or you could buy protective headphones that cost 10-20$ and still use standard earplugs.
Good for you if you can, but there’s no way that I could afford 350$ for headphones at this point.
Yes!
I’m excited you’re creating content about binaural beats and meditation.
I find that if you need a smaller, more compact pair of earbuds, the Sony Bumpin’ Buds are THE most effective in-ear headphones I’ve ever used. Highest frequency range, 3 different sizes, cheap, and reliable. I do not use others and I always have a backup pair for when the original goes out. (Which is always caused by me, because they’re strong!)
Pro Tip: Buy them. Put a dot of superglue on the plug rivets, and the cord connection hole to each earbud. This adds a minimum of 6 months usability:
https://www.amazon.com/Sony-MDR-EX37B-RED-Earbud-Headphones/dp/B007BY3OU6/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1475547865&sr=8-2&keywords=bumpin+buds
*no affiliate link*
I’ve used Power Thoughts Meditation Club’s YouTube beats for different things like meditation, visualization, healing, sleep, and reading. Highly recommended!
- Evan
Nice tip! I’ll check them out.
Everyone has different ways to relax. I agree with the noise cancelling headphones but this binaural stuff does not beat classical music while being inverted(Teeter Hangup is what I use) in a dark room that is a bit on the chilly side.
30 minutes is all you need.
I was 2 seconds away from hitting exit on this post when I read “sunglasses and headphones”…
But I am pretty fucken greatful I read on, because this blog post had much more depth to it.
Going to try this out now.
Thanks Vic
Like I’ve been saying for months: People will think it’s a joke at first. It will take a while to realize the true depth.
Zoning out after a workout is great, I like to listen to Pink Floyd or Ghost BC. Will try a tank here in Chicago