the reduction of sensory stimulation to a minimum in the absence of normal contact with the environment. Sensory deprivation may be induced (e.g., via the use of a flotation tank) for experimental or clinical purposes, or it may occur in a real-life situation (e.g., in deep-sea diving). Although short periods of sensory deprivation can be beneficial, extended periods have detrimental effects, causing (among other things) hallucinations, delusions, hypersuggestibility, or panic. See also restricted environmental stimulation technique.