To float or not to float at NB Cryo, that’s the question.
When you’ve got 3 kids at home, 2 toddlers and a teenage boy, what could possibly be better than some sensory deprivation? No sound, no light, weightlessly floating on a pool of salty water for at least an hour of uninterrupted peace and solitude at NB Cryo. It sounds like heaven. Maybe for most people.
I delight at the concept of being able to enjoy an immersive, somatic experience like this. But even as I was booking this service, I felt an ember of dread flickering in my mind.
A Trip Down Memory Lane
Years ago, out of desperation and scientific curiosity, I experimented with psychedelic mushrooms. I’d read countless studies about the theoretical and researched benefits of psilocybin, the active component in ‘shrooms, in treating anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Full disclosure: I’m not encouraging illicit drug use. Just speaking of my personal experience with trying them.
During this experiment, three things transpired worth mentioning here. One, I blacked out for the first time ever. I imagined I was floating. Weightless. In complete darkness, with no sense of where I was in space or how long I was out. It was probably the best part of the experience.
The second thing that happened…it’s a bit harder to explain…
The trip started off well enough, but at one point, I remember saying “You know, I can see how this could turn really bad for some people”. And then it did. I felt conscious, but trapped in a body that I had no control over. As I was continuously steamrolled to death. It took years for the meaning behind this to click for me as a manifestation of my C-PTSD.
The revelation of which was the third thing that happened as a result of my mushroom experience. That powerless, suffocated feeling was buried deep within me. A taste of the soul oppression that I’d spent most of my life crippled under.
Back to My NB Cryo Reservation…
With the memory of my psychedelic experience embedded in my mind, I struggled between equal parts hope to somewhat touch on that “black out” loss of proprioception feeling and fear of what a somatic therapeutic modality like a sensory deprivation float might unlock.
After reading some of the purported benefits of floatation therapy (lowers cortisol and adrenaline, improves sleep, alleviates stress, etc.), I decided to take the plunge. I booked my appointment two weeks in advance. And with each passing day, I felt that ember of dread grow hotter.
I actually set Nathan up an appointment as well, the week before mine. He came back from his float refreshed, feeling more patient and peaceful. Until we checked out Magic Time Machine that same evening. But I digress…
His report eased my mind enough that I, while still apprehensive, at least felt resigned. That it would likely be very good for me.
Just a Note to NB Cryo
By the time my appointment arrived, my stress and parenting burnout were such that I was ready to embrace the darkness. To be as far away from my kids and the NOISE as possible. Little nervous still, but so done. So ready for some getaway time.
I arrived a few minutes before my scheduled therapy time. Signed the waiver. Listened to the debriefing about what to do immediately beforehand. To be fair, when I entered the room with the float pod, it was the first time I saw any literature on what to do or expect before a first-time floating.
I had emailed NB Cryo mid-July. I’d sent a basic inquiry before booking about what to expect, etc. I never received a response before setting up an appointment in August. In the brochure provided in the tank’s room, however, as I was actively preparing to float, I read that it’s advised to abstain from caffeine the morning of. Well, too late now, I guess.
To be fair, Nathan drank coffee before his session. He denies having any jitteriness or discomfort as a result of caffeine intake the day of his float. He didn’t mention anything the day of either, so I doubt it made a substantial difference to my experience overall. I’d likely abstain next time though.
I think it’d be a wonderful business improvement to send out some preliminary information emails prior to certain therapies. I love knowing what to expect or steps I should take before an appointment. Especially when I’d like to experience the greatest benefit from a therapeutic service that I’m paying for.
Taking the Plunge…
The anxiety was picking back up a little bit by this point. I don’t think I took in every word of the instruction given before I was left alone to shower. I was so nervous that I frantically rushed through my pre-float wash and rinse. Hit the switch to turn off the motion-sensor light. I started to climb in the tank. Oh, right! Set my phone to Do Not Disturb. Returned to the pod.
I quickly shut myself inside of the tank. The water is nice and warm. So is the air, so it’s humid. That might be hard to adjust to. And bear in mind, for the best “sensory-deprivation” experience, you’re totally naked. So there’s a sense of vulnerability at play, too. I turn off the light, shut my eyes, and recline back into the water. Floating there is effortless. Nice.
And then, music starts…
This isn’t really tranquil spa music. It’s more “elevator meets early-2000s cellphone ringtone” music, and it’s honestly jarring. Its fade-in briefly reminded me of the soundtrack from an old Sierra horror game I played growing up, Shivers.
I was unnerved momentarily. Then I remembered. Oh yeah. She did say music would start playing to let me know when I needed to make sure I was in the tank. And, sure enough, it faded back out within a couple minutes. Alright then. Time to settle in. Try to relax.
Do You Hear What I Hear?
This was totally my fault.
Nah, I take that back. I’m blaming Nathan for this one. (Not really, I should have known better. )
Bear in mind, I’m writing this review after one experience there. Take it with a grain of salt. Or a lot of salt. That’s what makes you float in the water. Ha. Ha. Anyway…
Suffice it to say, the earplugs were recommended to me. Nathan told me he didn’t use them and did fine. And I hate dealing with earplugs. The annoyance of earplugs felt like it would ultimately detract from the sensory deprivation experience. So I opted against them.
Like the caffeine, I’m not altogether certain that it would’ve even made any worthwhile difference. I’ve always, for as long as I can remember, been sensitive to sound. I have pretty severe misophonia. Even to the point that when Coen is home and grabs an apple to snack on, he takes it in the backyard. Even if I’m not in the room.
But it’s not even just sound.
Slight pressure aberrations in the environment can spark significant disquietude in me. I know exactly what it comes from. If I was up too late, my father could sneak up the stairs, slink up behind me like a ninja to see what I was up to, making NO SOUND. After a couple minutes, I could SENSE his presence. Growing up with that practiced, uneasy feeling of being watched.
My startle reflex is off the charts. Nathan says there have been times that he’s unintentionally set off my startle response almost daily. Even from just walking into the room when I’m focusing on something else. Between the sound sensitivity, the hypervigilance, and the sensitive startle reflex, I should have opted for the earplugs.
When One Door Closes, Another One Opens…
NB Cryo is a place of business. I do not blame NB Cryo for my extreme sensitivity, nor do I hold it responsible for my choice to not use earplugs. I only mention this as a word of warning to anyone with a similar level of hypervigilance or sound sensitivity. Use the earplugs.
Floating in the quiet darkness is not the easiest feat for someone with anxiety and/or PTSD. Therapy isn’t always comfortable. My thoughts would come streaming in one after the other. I’d find myself swept along initially, yet catch myself. As though I were catching myself doom-scrolling once again through yet another Facebook comment section.
I’d slow my thoughts. It was silent enough that I could even hear my own steady heartbeat. Focus on taking one slow, deep, meditative breath. Let time lapse around me. Sink into the dark, effortless peace.
I’d slip in and out, between peace and nervousness. Dark, tranquil, calm. But an odd, unnerving tingly feeling gradually climbing from my toes to my hips. Ignore it, like mindfully denying yourself a scratch to an itch that finally recedes. Back to peace. Sink in deeper…
THWUMP.
A door closed somewhere in NB Cryo. It was enough to break the tranquility. To absolutely FLOOD my body with waves upon waves of adrenaline.
If there’s anything I can say with complete certainty about my experience floating at NB Cryo, it’s this. It is a perfect place to practice applying theoretical knowledge of mindfulness. To truly experience how much of a discipline meditation is.
The door opening and closing happened a few times during my hour long float, and there were the little ambient, atmospheric-pressure pops periodically. Each time the adrenaline surged and the “fight-or-flight” kicked in, I could meet the anxiety with intention. Greet the feeling. Validate it. Then allow it to pass. Focus on my steady heartbeat. And the waves got shorter each time…
Float on Over to NB Cryo
Look, as far as my review articles go, I know this one feels kind of up in the air. I’ve spent more time talking about my experience with the treatment than NB Cryo itself.
There’s a reason for that.
I’ll start by saying this. If you’re looking into floatation therapy but are on the fence because of fear and trepidation, you aren’t alone. That’s a primary point I want to address here. My “Body Keeps the Score” experience is my personal testimony of challenging myself to try something potentially beneficial in spite of my anxieties surrounding it.
I was nervous prior to the float. I was hoping for a surreal, peaceful, sensory-deprivation experience like “blacking out”, but ultimately, I tapped into some subconscious scarring.
And that, to me, is a very good thing.
If I can’t comprehend the depth to which my physiological trauma goes, how can I hope to overcome it? If I don’t have the opportunity to truly apply myself and PRACTICE intentional meditation and mindfulness in spite of central nervous system responses, how can I grow and develop that skill? How can I learn to stay balanced even when I’m triggered?
NB Cryo Floatation Therapy was a revelation for me.
It’s not exactly the outcome I may have hoped for going into it, but I’ll absolutely be back for more sessions. What it did give me feels more healthy and valuable, albeit painful, than simply leaving feeling temporarily “restored”.
And NB Cryo as an establishment? It’s clean, calm, welcoming, and overall, a very peaceful environment. When I came out of my treatment, the receptionist asked me how everything went, and all I could think to say was that “It was an experience”.
“Okay…but a good experience, right?”
Again, first response I could think of that felt socially appropriate at the time: “Oh yes, very relaxing.”
While that wasn’t altogether true, it wasn’t by any fault of NB Cryo. It WAS a good experience, and the absolute best one I could have hoped for given my circumstances. Which is the same reason I’m taking the time to highly recommend them in this review.
NB Cryo is soon-to-be celebrating its first year in business here in New Braunfels. Do I think that minor improvements could be made, like the preliminary, what-to-expect confirmation emails? Sure, but after only a year in business, it’s a pretty smooth operation.
NB Cryo offers so many different treatments and therapies besides floatation therapy, all at very reasonable prices. Oxygen bars, saunas, cryotherapy. Even cryo-sculpting, IV therapy, and cold plunges, each with their own potential benefits. The staff is friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable.
But don’t just take my word for it. Check out NB Cryo for yourself.
The NB Cryo Experience
Pros:
Peaceful, clean environment. I loved the convenient set-up of the floatation therapy room: room to store your belongings, a spacious walk-in shower with spa-quality accoutrements, and immediate access to the float pod.
So many services offered here at reasonable prices. NB Cryo even offers a float membership: if you visit frequently enough to make it worth it, you receive treatments at a discounted rate. Everyone I interacted with at NB Cryo was very friendly, warm, knowledgeable, and welcoming.
Cons:
After only a year in business, NB Cryo may still be ironing out some kinks in terms of responsiveness. Anticipating or proactively advocating for the client’s experience by sending what-to-expect informative emails prior to certain therapies would be a great improvement.
Besides that, it honestly feels that any “negative” part of my experience here was a “me” problem, not a “them” problem. I plan to visit again soon, and highly recommend that you check NB Cryo out for yourself.
And, as always, if you found this review helpful, let me know! Are you going to set up an appointment? I’d love to know what you think about NB Cryo after your visit! Leave a comment, connect with me on socials, give me a follow on Facebook. Thanks!