In a stressful or threatening situation, the area of the brain called the hypothalamus (that regulates the endocrine system) releases stress hormones into the bloodstream, setting in motion the fight or flight response, and putting the body on "red alert".

·

A hormone called ACTH is carried through the bloodstream to the adrenal glands, where it triggers the release of cortisol.
·
 Cortisol causes an increase in blood sugar, and accelerates the body's metabolism in various ways.
·
 Other hormones cause the adrenal glands to secrete large amounts of adrenaline, thus releasing more blood sugar and increasing the heart rate, blood pressure and respiration.

Doctors regard cortisol as the "key" stress hormone, and use a person's blood-cortisol level as a direct measure of that person's stress level. Cortisol accumulates in body tissue, causing long-term damage, and is difficult to eliminate by non-pharmaceutical methods. High cortisol levels are associated with chronic anxiety and depression, as well as a wide range of stress-related diseases.

Research by endocrinologist John Turner (Medical College of Ohio, Toledo) during the past 20 years has demonstrated that floatation REST has an almost unique ability to cleanse cortisol from the blood stream, and to achieve this quickly and naturally.