Sensory Isolation in Floatation Tanks as a Method of Promoting ESP Phenomena
Kirsty L. Allan 1, Callum E. Cooper, Glenn Hitchman 2 & Chris A. Roe 1
1 Exceptional Experiences and Consciousness Studies, University of Northampton, UK
2 Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
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Introduction
A number of research methods have been developed to test for ESP that seek to control sensory input in ways that are intended to be psi-conducive, including studies of meditation, dream ESP, and Ganzfeld (Baptista et al., 2015). These have been relatively successful, producing effect sizes larger than many other research paradigms (Cardeña, 2018). One similar approach that has been relatively neglected would involve the use of floatation tanks. John Lilly (1969) promoted the use of floatation as a means of inducing altered states of consciousness (by vastly reducing environmental stimuli with the addition of ‘weightlessness’). Participants were enclosed in a “tank” in which they lay in a body of Epsom salt solution, so dense it is buoyant enough to support them physically without any effort or technique, encouraging them 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, allowing the participant to become more aware of their inner experience (“inperience”, Lilly, 1972), intuitive feelings, and extrasensory or “psychic” materials.
To date, there have been few attempts to test for ESP using a floatation environment, and these have been more focused on methodological aspects rather than on representing formal experiments (e.g., Rogo, 1980; Schwartz, 1983). A pilot study by Cooper, Saunders, and Hitchman (2020) comprised 12 trials with a single participant that tested for telepathy. Results were mixed, with receiver target rankings achieving a hit rate of 25%, consistent with mean chance expectation, but an independent judge achieving a 33% hit rate, albeit based on a very small sample size. Some correspondences were noted between mentation features and elements of target video clips; while these are too susceptible to overinterpretation and “shoe fitting” to constitute evidence, they were interpreted as sufficiently promising to warrant further study using a larger experiment. We took this opportunity to move from a telepathy to precognition design, to increase security against sensory leakage and fraud, and to more efficiently use available resources. It was of particular interest to see whether performance might improve after repeated exposure to the procedure, as attention shifted from the novelty of the environment to the objectives of the experiment.
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Kirsty is a PhD psychology candidate focused on experimental sensory isolation research into psi phenomena and the ‘traits and states’ involved, at the University of Northampton. She also works with ICreateS and Dr Donna Thomas at University of Central Lancashire exploring the lived experience of psi phenomena with all age groups, through interviews and creative methods. She is also a key team member of Wyrd Experience which promotes mind-matter interaction and, a certified Highly Sensitive Person coach hosting a specialized learning community – The IF Crowd – for sensitive people to cultivate their innate capacities of consciousness.
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The Parapsychological Association is an international professional organization of scientists and scholars engaged in the study of psi (or ‘psychic’) experiences, such as telepathy, clairvoyance, psychokinesis, psychic healing, and precognition. The primary objective of the PA is to achieve a scientific understanding of these experiences.
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Published on October 6, 2026
