2. The Brain Wave Explanation

Several studies at Texas A&M and the University of Colorado have shown that
floating increases production of theta waves in the brain. Theta waves
are associated with vivid memories, free association, sudden insights,
creative inspiration, feeling of serenity and oneness with the universe. It is a mysterious, elusive state, potentially highly productive and enlightening; but experimenters have had a difficult time studying it, and it is hard to maintain, since people tend to fall asleep once they begin to generate theta waves. A study of Zen monks conducted by Akira Kazamatsu and Tomio Hirai, in which the monks’ brain–waves were charted as they entered the meditative states, indicated that the four meditative plateaux (from alpha to the more sublime theta) "were parallel to the disciples’ mental states, and their years spent in Zen training." Those monks with over twenty years of meditative experience generated the greatest amount of theta. As few of us have the ability to spend 20 years studying meditation to
achieve this sublime state it is useful to know that people who float regularly quickly enter the theta state while remaining awake, consciously aware of all the vivid imagery and creative thoughts that pass through their minds, and after getting out of the floatation environment, they continue to generate larger amounts of creativity–promoting theta waves for up to three weeks.