Immersed in total darkness, able to hear only my breathing and heartbeat, I was alone with my thoughts.

Experiencing the float tank, also known as a sensory deprivation chamber, allowed me to shut out the world for a couple of hours, which made for a totally blissful experience.

“Most people don’t feel claustrophobic in the tank because it’s dark and feels like there’s a lot of space,” said Geoff Sato, owner of Dream Float, which offers 60- and 90-minute sessions for a fee at his Aina Haina home.

“Whatever happens in there, I come out feeling amazing.”

Isolation tanks, which contain a superbuoyant salt solution, were developed in the 1950s by neuropsychiatrist John Lilly, a National Institute of Mental Health researcher, to experiment with consciousness. Many in the public first became aware of them from the trippy movie “Altered States,” starring William Hurt, which spurred sales of tanks in the 1980s.

They have found favor again as a form of alternative medicine and relaxation therapy employed by the likes of Golden State Warriors basketball star Stephen Curry.

Although there is little scientific evidence to support claims about the health benefits or healing powers of float tanks, there is some consensus they may be useful in treating stress and anxiety-related conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder.

Sato received his float tank as a birthday gift. “It can benefit a ton of people, so I decided that I wanted to share it,” he said.

USERS remove their clothing before entering the tank, which is insulated against sound. Once you shut the door and lie back, it’s utterly silent and pitch black.

The water is heated to 93.5 degrees, or skin temperature, for comfort. The buoyant salt solution, comprising 1,000 pounds of Epsom salt for 180 gallons of water, supports your body to the point of feeling weightless.

The water depth is only about 10 inches, so it’s very shallow. Moldable putty earplugs are used to protect the ears since they are underwater the whole time.

No special training is required to operate float tanks, and there are no state health regulations on their commercial use. Sato said he keeps his chamber clean by filtering the water three times after each float and using an ultraviolet light.

Users come for varied reasons, he said, including relief from chronic pain, anxiety and insomnia. Many come just to relax or to see what it’s like to be cut off from their senses.

“Most people are just curious because it’s a new experience,” he said.

It’s so relaxing that many people fall asleep during the session, according to Sato. The solution is so buoyant that it’s OK if you do; you are in no danger of drowning. You might end up with a little salt water in your eyes that can easily be flushed with fresh water left right outside the tank.

People who are claustrophobic or apprehensive can opt to leave the door open. If you happen to change your mind about the experience in the middle of a session, the door is unlocked and easy to push open.

LILY Leung Causin, co-owner of the float tanks at Hawaii Health Hub in Kakaako, said the benefits of floating include deep relaxation, stress reduction, alleviation of pressure on joints, soothed muscles, pain relief and improved circulation.

Sensory deprivation is also conducive to visualization, Causin said. (Olympic sprinter Carl Lewis is said to have used float tanks for that purpose.)

“Floats can help train the mind, focus on the game and visualize goals,” she added.

Folks who can’t handle an hour or two of silence are welcome to bring music or guided meditations.

Whatever reason leads you to try a float tank, once you’re in there the experience is a grand reminder of how little time we spend with ourselves, alone in silence without any distractions. I thoroughly enjoyed my break from the daily grind.

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Dream Float offers 60-minute sessions for $75, $85 for 90 minutes, $149 for three-float introductory offer. Monthly membership costs $49 and includes one 90-minute session per month, with additional floats $39. Book online at dreamfloathi.com or call 386-5997. Hawaii Health Hub offers 75-minute sessions for $70 or a $135 three-float package. Monthly membership is $40 and reduces cost to $40 per session. Visit hawaiihealthhub.com or call 675-8399.