Nearly 1,000 pounds of magnesium: The weight of float therapy

Float therapy sessions in Portland involve lying in a tub holding nearly 1,000 pounds of dissolved magnesium. The water is maintained at skin temperature and is dense enough to prevent the body from sinking. This setup allows users to experience weightlessness for periods lasting an hour or more.

The environment is designed to eliminate external sensory input. Participants have the option to turn off all lights and block out sound. The water in the tank is approximately 10 inches deep, while the structure itself measures eight feet long and four feet wide, with a ceiling height of seven feet.

Dana Highfill, a massage therapist of 17 years who operates Float North in Northeast Portland, stated that most clients seek physical relief. She described the sensation as turning off gravity, which allows joints to open and reduces inflammation. Highfill noted that the reduced stimulation helps shift the nervous system from a fight-or-flight response to a rest-and-repair state.

Nia Linbravo, a women’s basketball referee who works four to five nights per week, began the practice after dealing with a herniated disk and sleep issues. She also holds a project management role and previously served as a juvenile probation officer. Linbravo said the physical and mental demands of her schedule made it difficult to relax.

Linbravo consulted her doctor before starting the sessions to discuss various strategies for managing depression and anxiety. Her physician indicated the practice would be helpful. Linbravo described the experience as a space for reflection and calm.

"It was hard to relax," Linbravo said. "I think it’s the weightlessness and the feeling of the water supporting me, and I’m literally just letting go."

Highfill addressed concerns about the tank being too small. She clarified that the interior dimensions provide ample room for movement and comfort despite the initial perception of confinement.