..This is the first SENSORY DEPREVATION TANK featured in the opening shot of the film. This is an incredibly odd design, almost defeating the purpose of eliminating outside distractions. The window is good for having a research assistant observing and monitoring the test subject inside the tank - that's all. The lighting (inside the tank - which seems to emanate from NO WHERE) defeats the purpose of isolation, as does the plastic bubble helmet, suspension body straps, air lines and goggles. There is just too much going on with objects interfering with, and interacting along side, the test subject who is supposed to be deprived of everything but their mind. What I personally have researched is that this is a rather poor attempt of "Total Isolation" for the test subject.

..Production Designer Joe Alves and Screenwriter Paddy Chayefesky were in TOTAL DISAGREEMENT over this Iso-tank set design... The film's OPENING SHOT: representing a basement laboratory at Cornell Medical College, circa 1967 - does indeed look like something that NASA would experiment with for the early space program tests of weightlessness (which -ARE- performed under water TODAY) as opposed to sensory deprivation and isolation of the senses... Paddy was right again.

..What -DOES HOLD UP IN ACCURACY- is that in Lilly's earliest experiments in the Iso-Tank was that the head of the subject in the tank wore a blackened out hood covering the eyes and a breathing tube. This was a cumbersome and uncomfortable way to just avoid light and sound, and just a little bit dangerous as well. This Iso-tank looks just too cinematically designed (art directed) to be very, if at all functional for achieving total sensory depravation. This is "DESIGNED FOR THE AUDIENCE" to get a very quick idea that someone is being involved in an experiment. It's like looking at a rat in a cage... everything about the 1st tank just doesn't make sense - everything could be done simpler and more effectively in the horizontally designed tanks.

..Could this vertical design actually work and exist as a functional Iso-tank - Yes. Is it the best design available to keep the test subject totally isolated from the outside influences and eliminate outside environmental distractions - No.

..This is the second SENSORY DEPREVATION TANK featured in the the film. This design is the REAL DEAL. It's designed exactly as the one that Lilly himself had in his own home, manufactured by the Samadhi Tank Company. The horizontal design, along with the warm salt solution, internal intercom and bio feedback relays fit the bill to exacting standards today. This Iso-tank pictured (Left and Right) was seemingly constructed out of heavy gauge steel for the film version, but today's Iso-tanks are usually made of fiberglass and plastic, have their own water filtration system, and they can be assembled totally by yourself.

..Both of the film versions of these Iso-tanks have one thing in common: they are set in separate rooms from the research teams and have complete bio feedback capabilities. Lilly and Leary were adamant that when psychedelics are being experimented with that it is NOT to be done alone. If these scientific tests were actually conducted and funded by or at universities today, this is going to be the most likely scenario: safety of the test subjects and the collection of all relevant bio feedback data.

.Today, more than 20 years later there are many FLOTATION SPA's spanning across the country as well as through-out Europe. Also referred to as MINERAL SPA's, they work just like a familiar tanning salon. Time is purchased to isolate yourself in a modern Iso-tank, complete with afterward shower facilities. Modern designs are still along the horizontal: from casket like enclosures (Left) to small private rooms to avoid the claustrophobia prone client. Basically, the use of these Iso-tanks is a form of HYDROTHERAPY. In the sound-proof and light-proof heated spa filled with 1,000 pounds of Epsom Salts, clients can supposedly"float away" mental stress, physical stress, and chronic pain. Floating also has been reported to show improve creativity and enhance athletic performance. Some -REPORTED- health benefits of floating are:

..Systemic detoxification: Based upon the therapeutic powers of the mineral-rich Dead Sea, the Epsom Salts used in floatation spa therapy draw toxins to the surface of your skin, giving your body a powerful systemic detoxification. Mineral spa therapy helps to strengthen your immune system, trigger the release of endorphins, and reduce the level of harmful biochemicals in your body. ..Medical research: A survey of family physicians found that half regularly prescribe some form of alternative therapy or have tried it themselves. The American Medical Association recently suggested that its 300,000 members "become better informed regarding the practices and techniques of alternative or unconventional medicine." Medical research includes numerous studies on the healthful benefits of floating. ..Experience weightlessness: Doctors have observed that maintaining the body erect against the force of gravity creates stress on the spine and joints and may be part of the cause of arthritis and other uncomfortable conditions. By allowing the body to float, this stress is temporariliy alleviated, thereby allowing muscles and joints to relax and heal faster. No training, preparation, or skill is required. You cannot sink. Anyone, regardless of body type, will float like a cork, effortlessly on top the the heated Epsom salt-water solution. ..Relax your mind: By relaxing the analytical side of the mind, floating induces whole-brain thinking where we can become more creative and expressive. In this environment our ability to absorb information and achieve desired goals is greatly enhanced through visualization and positive thoughts. ..Improve athletic performance: Athletic coordination and performance is improved through greater stamina, speed, and quicker recovery time from intense workouts. Flotation spa therapy is recommended by sports trainers and used as a high-tech training tool by triathletes. ..Neurochemistry and Endorphins: Neuroscientists have recently discovered that the brain secretes numerous neurochemicals which influence our behavior. Our brains secrete hormones that make us happy, anxious, depressed, shy, sleepy, sexy. Each of us creates different amounts of these endorphins; those who create more experience more pleasure in a given experience than those who create fewer. Tests indicate that floating increases the secretion of endorphins at the same time it reduces the levels of a number of stress-related neurochemicals such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, ACTH, and cortisone. These are substances that can cause tension, anxiety, irritability and are related to ailments such as heart disease, hypertension, and high levels of cholesterol (from: www.thefloatspa.com).

..These claims (above) have got to be taken for what they are - reports of "healing" results by these "SPA's" to get you to buy an hour or two in their "PSUDO-Iso-tank". This has NOTHING to do with scientific experimentation of ALTERED STATES of CONSCIOUSNESS, be it in real life and of course in reguards to this film. The film is dealing with the deepest exploration of the mind, with the use of the Iso-tank's inherent sensory deprevation methodology in conjunction with the added psychedelics as a catalyst, to reach the imagined FIRST THOUGHT of HUMANITY.

..Notice the fish in the background of this shot? Looks like William Hurt is totally surrounded by them. Well, perhaps that's because Lilly's work in his later career involved extensive - if not pionerring - research regarding the communication with, and understanding of the brain of... DOLPHINS!

..This is where a few of the striking differences that are there in the "details of fact" in the film's story line and telling of are concerned that are in there accurately and directly tying into the early experiments of Lilly & Leary. Remember, the development of the Iso-tank and the research and experimentation of certain mind altering synthetic and/or natural substances were both coming into use in the early 1960's. Yes, we're talking about the many PSYCHEDLIC TRIPS the Jessup character self inflicts, endures and experiences through-out the film on the story's quest for the ultimate answer to life's ultimate question: WHAT -IS- THE BEGINING AND PURPOSE OF LIFE? ..The -MAIN- difference in the film between Lilly's and Leary's Research and Lilly's actual experiments within the Iso-tank was in the psychedelic used in the story to induce the trips: Lilly's focus was SYNTHITICS such as LSD and KETAMINE. The film ALTERED STATES chose to write about the NATURAL approach using PEYOYE mushrooms.

Lysergic acid diethylamide, LSD, LSD-25, or acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family.

..Probably the best known psychedelic, it has been used mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and a tool to supplement various practices for transcendence, including in meditation, psychonautics, art projects, and illicit (though at one time legal) psychedelic psychotherapy, whether self-administered or not.

..It is synthesized from lysergic acid derived from ergot, a grain fungus that typically grows on rye and was first synthesized by Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann.

..Early research on LSD saw its potency and noticed that even in extremely small quantities it could significantly alter the mental functioning of healthy volunteers. Due to the fact that LSD could produce changes in perceptions and emotions, early researchers hypothesized that the cause of some mental illnesses, particularly schizophrenia, were due to the human body releasing small quantities of substances identical to LSD.

..Much of the research during the late 1940's dealt with this hypothesis and many LSD sessions conducted for scientific study were often termed "experimental psychoses", and this is where the terms "psychoactive" , "psychotomimetic" and "hallucinogenic" were coined to refer to such drugs.

..Generally these studies revolved around the attempt to block the effects of LSD with premedication, which was thought to be able to lead to medical treatments for schizophrenia. The studies showed that there was no such connection (the effects of LSD and those of schizophrenia are drastically different and have different causes and functions).

..Some early researchers also started to suggest that LSD could have positive effects and could be used as a treatment for patients with psychiatric illnesses. Some reports suggested that even small doses of LSD could have dramatic effects on the personalities and attitudes and even lifestyles of test subjects. Early LSD research also found evidence of the drug's ability to facilitate relief of various emotional episodes related to traumatic memories from childhood of patients. (From Wikipedia)

Peyote, also sometimes called Mescal Button or the Divine Cactus, is a small, spineless cactus whose native region extends from the southwestern United States, specifically in the southwestern part of Texas, through central Mexico. They are found primarily in the Chihuahuan desert and in the states of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi amongst scrub, especially when limestone is present in the soil.

..The cactus is well known for its psychoactive alkaloids and among these mescaline in particular. It is currently used world wide mainly as a recreational drug, an entheogen, and as a supplement to various transcendence practices including in meditation, psychonautics, and psychedelic psychotherapy.

..The effective dose for mescaline is about 300 to 500 mg (roughly 5 grams of dried peyote) and the effects last about 10 to 12 hours. When combined with appropriate set and setting, peyote is reported to trigger states of deep introspection and insight that have been described as being of a metaphysical or spiritual nature. At times, these can be accompanied by rich visual or auditory effects.

..In addition to psychoactive properties, Native Americans used the plant for its curative properties as well. They employed peyote for treating such varied ailments as toothache, pain in childbirth, fever, breast pain, skin diseases, rheumatism, diabetes, colds, and blindness.

..The U.S. Dispensatory lists peyote under the name Anhalonium and states it can be used in various preparations for neurasthenia, hysteria and asthma.

..From earliest recorded time, there is documented evidence of the religious, ceremonial, and healing uses of peyote dating back over 20,000 years. Peyote has been used by indigenous peoples, such as the Huichol of northern Mexico and by various Native American Tribal Groups, native to or relocated to the Southern Plains States of Oklahoma and Texas.

..It's usage has also been recorded among various Southwestern Athabaskan tribal groups, with the Mescalero and Kiowa (or "Plains Apache") having the dubious honor of being named or identified as the source or initial practitioners of the Peyote religion in the regions north of present-day Mexico. (From Wikipedia)

..Researchers also found that people who took the chemical experienced genuine mystical experiences, as defined by psychologists.A third of the 36 study participants described their psilocybin experience as the "most spiritually significant" of their lives. Some likened it to the importance of the birth of their first child or the death of a parent. <Under the Drugs Act 2005 they are now classified as a Class A drug, like heroin or cocaine. Possession may be punishable by several years in jail, while supplying the mushrooms could result in a life sentence>.

..Professor Roland Griffiths, from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, led the study, the first rigorous investigation of the effects of "tripping" on a drug for decades. The volunteers were all healthy, well-educated, mostly middle-aged and with no family history of psychotic illness.Each attended two separate eight hour drug sessions at two month intervals. On one occasion they received psilocybin, on the other the drug Ritalin which was used as a placebo.

..Medical professionals were on hand to act as "monitors" and observe what happened. Neither the participants nor the monitors knew when the test drug was being taken.The trials took place in a room fitted out as a comfortable lounge, with soft music and indirect lighting. Heart rate and blood pressure were measured, and questionnaires used to assess volunteers' experiences. During the study, more than 60 per cent of those taking part described the effects of psilocybin in ways that met the recognised criteria of a "full mystical experience".

..Two months later, 79 per cent reported moderately or greatly increased well being or levels of life-satisfaction. Most said their mood, attitudes and behaviour had changed for the better. This was confirmed by interviews with family members, friends and work colleagues. The findings were published today in the journal: Psychopharmacology.

..Prof Griffiths said: "Under very defined conditions, with careful preparation, you can safely and fairly reliably occasion what's called a primary mystical experience that may lead to positive changes in a person. It's an early step in what we hope will be a large body of scientific work that will ultimately help people."

..The scientists said scrupulous care was taken to minimise adverse side effects and warned of the dangers of taking psilocybin unsupervised. Even under the controlled conditions of the study, a third of participants reported significant fear, and some experienced temporary feelings of paranoia.."Under unmonitored conditions, it's not hard to imagine those emotions escalating to panic and dangerous behaviour," said Prof Griffiths.

..His team now intends to look into the therapeutic potential of the magic mushroom chemical.Trials are planned involving patients suffering from cancer-related depression or anxiety. Other studies will test a role for psilocybin in the treatment of drug dependence.

..Prof Griffiths said human research into the potential positive effects of hallucinogen drugs had been "frozen in time" for 40 years due to the excesses of the 1960's. A number of promising leads were left "dangling" as a result."Our study is among the first to re-open this field," said Prof Griffiths. Another expert commentating on the work in the same journal said he did not think the research would spark off a wave of experimentation with magic mushrooms.

..Dr Herbert Kleber, Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University in New York wrote: "The positive findings of the study cannot help but raise concern in some that it will lead to increased experimenting with these substances by youth in the kind of uncontrolled and unmonitored fashion that produced casualties over the past three decades. Any study reporting a positive or useful effect of a drug of abuse raises these same concerns. In this internet age, however, where youth are deluged with glowing personal reports in chat rooms and web sites as well as detailed information about the various agents and how to use them, it is less likely that a scientific study would move the needle much."

"Shrooms" are especially risky for anyone with Mental Problems.

..The first documented magic mushroom experience in Britain occurred in London's Green Park in 1799. A man who had been picking mushrooms for breakfast accidentally sent his whole family on a trip. The doctor who treated them described in the Medical and Physical Journal how the youngest child was "attacked with fits of immoderate laughter".

..Here it all is... almost 50 years later, and Lilly's and Leary's early experiments in the research for beneficial uses of ALTERED STATEDS of CONSCIOUSNESS, induced with the use of PSYCHEDLIC HALLUCINITEGENS, still holding possible Scientific Relevance -TODAY- with continuing, closely monitored, controlled Experimentation by noted Phd.'s.