Meet the Spa Treatment That “Feels Like Being in the Womb”

The Trend: Float therapy, a.k.a sensory deprivation, has been popular for years. Traditionally, it involves lying in a dark tank filled with warm saltwater that allows the body to float effortlessly, but now, a water-free version is emerging in high-end spas in L.A. Known as dry floating, the treatment places you on a warm, waterbed-like surface separated from the water by a thin membrane. The goal is the same: simulate weightlessness while blocking out light and sound to create deep relaxation.

What People Are Saying: One spa professional said it’s akin to being in the womb. Not that any of us remember what that feels like, though we have to imagine it’s warm and cozy. One Los Angeles Times writer who tried it couldn’t decide if it was particularly beneficial, but said it “seems worth another visit.” 

What to Know: Research on traditional float tanks suggests they may temporarily reduce stress and anxiety. Dry floating itself lacks much research, but experts say the calming environment alone could explain the relaxation people feel. In other words, it may be soothing, but the science behind it is still catching up.