What Is Weighted Blanket?! Unraveling the Comfortable Mystery

We spend nearly a third of our lives sleeping. But sometimes, it’s not the easiest thing to do. Sometimes, we keep tossing and turning on the bed but can’t fall asleep in time. So, plenty of products claim to help you in getting that well-needed shut-eye. To sleep like babies do, here comes the invention of weighted blankets. It’s a magic blanket that makes sure you sleep well at night.

So, sleep-deprived fellas, fasten your seat belt and get ready to jump in the world of weighted comforters with us. Here, we will guide you about all the ins and outs of weighted blankets including their effectiveness, size, composition, manufacturing material, price and what not.

Key Takeaways

1. Weighted blanket is like a hug machine which helps you sleep better using Deep Pressure Stimulation (DPS).

2. It reduces your stress and anxiety and releases feel good hormones.

3. It is especially useful for ADD, ADHD and autism patients.

4. Before buying, you should be careful about the size, material and composition.

What is A Weighted Blanket?

Weighted blankets also known as weighted comforters were first invented in 2017. Weighted blankets – as their name refers – it’s such a kind of blanket which is a little heavier than the usual blankets. They provide a hugging sensation and make you feel more safe and comfortable.

It weighs between 4 and 30 pounds and is used as a therapeutic tool to reduce stress. This blanket stimulates deep pressure touch (DPT) therapy which is just the same as when people get hugged or held. Who doesn’t love to get hugged while going to sleep?

That kind of makes sense because you know with anxiety when a baby is in her mom’s uterus, it’s nice and snug and that’s comfortable. And after babies are born, you wrap them up really nice and snug and she calms them down.

How It Works (Scientific Explanation)

The blankets also simulate deep pressure touch which is a type of therapy that uses firm hands-on pressure to reduce chronic stress and high levels of anxiety. A weighted blanket provides continual afferent stimulation. It stimulates our body and skin & weight receptors into the body and it goes up to the brain. Once it hits the brain, it starts to impact our neurotransmitters. 

The continuous afferent stimulation or signaling goes through the body to the brain. It increases oxytocin, serotonin & dopamine hormones which is your happy neurotransmitter.

It will decrease cortisol. That’s important because cortisol should go down at night and melatonin should go up. It also increases GABA which is an inhibitory neurotransmitter and decreases seizures. So, once that happens, it sends a signal from the brain down to the heart through the vagal nervous system. Once it hits the heart, it will decrease your heart rate. 

So, this is the mechanism in terms of how it can help somebody who has anxiety or someone who’s got ADD or autism spectrum disorders. It can help by continual stimulation affecting neurotransmitters and hormones. And then, decreasing heart rate. Watch this –

Size

How much should the blanket weigh? Now, that can vary, right? 

But the average would be 10 to 15 percent of your body weight. It can go up and down depending on what you like. And height? Really doesn’t matter as long as it is slightly larger than your body height.

Your doctor or health care professional will help you decide how heavy a weighted blanket is most comfortable and efficient for you. Your weight will also help you determine the weight of your blanket. The general recommendation is to choose a blanket that is 10 percent of your body weight. Then you can add or subtract a pound or two depending on your preference.

Material & Composition 

The blanket’s outer layer can be made from different materials like – cotton, bamboo or flannel. The fill which gives weight to the blanket is usually micro glass beads (inner fills). It can also be plastic pellets, grains or steel beads. There are also weighted woven blankets that use heavy yarns.

It is good to choose a blanket that is made from natural fiber like breathable 100% cotton and has superior airflow. Polyester and other synthetic fabrics are usually much hotter.

Umm, I would recommend using a cotton fabric rather than anything that’s synthetic.

Price

Depending on size, material and composition the price of a weighted comforter may vary. A standard weighted blanket will cost you around $25 to $250.

Check the latest prices on Amazon

Figure 1 – Pros of Using a Weighted Blanket

Benefits of A Weighted Blanket

These blankets give you immense medical benefits as well as all the general benefits you get from a typical comforter. Here are some advantages of such blankets –

Treats of ADD, ADHD, and Autism

A weighted blanket may be a good solution for ADD, ADHD and autistic patients. They will feel calm due to the added weight. It will help them to get a deep goodnight sleep and thus they will feel better & confident in the morning. This confidence will help them to become more socially interactive.

Treats of Fibromyalgia

Sleep is like a puzzle. It has different parts to it. Use the weighted blanket, maybe it’s the cuddle, the juggling that you need. There’s a disorder called fibromyalgia, there’s a lot of pain in there. These weights will actually pick those pressure points. I’m not saying it’s gonna make you pain-free but anything could help. To know more, watch this –

Grounding Helps Reduce Anxiety

Weighted blankets help to reduce anxiety in both children and adults. They are typically safe to use. They have been proven to help people achieve a relaxed state. Thereby, allowing them to sleep more deeply. Wrapping yourself with weighted blankets helps push your body down during sleep. This process is known as grounding or earthing. It has a deeply calming effect.

Reduces Cortisol

Grounding also reduces nighttime levels of cortisol which is a stress hormone. Stress escalates cortisol levels which have a negative effect on the immune system. It also increases blood sugar levels and can affect the digestive tract. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to multiple complications like anxiety, depression, insomnia and weight gain. 

Releases Feel Good Hormones

Pressure touch weighted blankets provide deep pressure stimulation (DSP) which promotes relaxation. It triggers the release of dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin which are feel-good hormones produced in the brain. These hormones help combat anxiety, stress and depression. 

Reduce Stress And Help Calming

Sleep improvement because weighted blankets reduce stress and help calm you down. They may lead to improvements in the quality of your sleep. According to research, people who slept with weighted blankets reported better sleep and reduced insomnia. They also reported few feelings of depression, anxiety and fatigue.

Treats Depression, Insomnia & GAD

In addition to insomnia, study shows either sample had major depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, GAD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. People with mild to moderate insomnia can use a weighted blanket for about four weeks to experience better sleep with less tossing and turning.

Enhance Mood & Focus

Weighted comforter will improve your natural sleep-wake cycle. Hence, your mood will be fine during the day and this will improve your focus on studies and work.

Treats OCD, Alzheimers & PTSD

Studies have shown a tremendous improvement in mental and physical health while patients of OCD, Alzheimers & PTSD were given weighted blankets. The added weight on their blankets makes them feel a lot more safe and secure and thus they fall asleep much quicker. The release of feel good hormones helps treat OCD, Alzheimers & PTSD. Watch this for more –

Blood Pressure & Type-2 Diabetics

Patients with high BP and type-2 diabetics will also get benefited by using these types of blankets. These blankets are able to decrease your blood pressure in a significant amount.

Treats Restless Legs & Muscle Pain

As you get to experience a proper amount of sleep, your whole body gets adequate rest. Hence, the restless leg and muscle pain get removed. And you’re as fresh as a healthy person in the morning.

OCD & Claustrophobia

Weighted blankets have shown better results for OCD and claustrophobic patients. With the improvement of mental and physical health, your mind and lungs became refreshed. Thus, helps in overcoming OCD and claustrophobia.

Other than these, a weighted blanket could be helpful for – people having frequent panic attacks, sensory processing disorders, fighting stress management, insomnia, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Figure 2 – Which Weighted Blanket Is Best For You?

Cons of Weighted Blankets

A weighted blanket is not for everyone, though. Here are some cons of these blankets –

• Sometimes, you may feel discomfort breathing if you don’t buy the proper size of blanket.
• It’s a bit heavy to carry and might produce heat.
• It’s a bit expensive compared to typical blankets.
• It takes time to get used to this type of blanket.

Is It Worth Buying?

Now, can weighted blankets affect sleep? Yes. It’s not meant for everybody but there are certain populations that can benefit from using a weighted blanket. Studies have shown that it manages patients who have anxiety and helps them sleep a lot better. It has a positive impact on falling asleep and also staying asleep.

The drawbacks are that it can create some heat. So, if you’re someone who doesn’t tolerate heat very well, this might not work. But, with the upcoming winter months it might work well for you. Also, if you like air conditioning and use a weighted blanket, that should be fine.

Differences Among Weighted Blanket, Comforter and Electric Blanket 

Let’s have a look at the differences between different types of blankets –

Parameters	Weighted Blanket	Comforter	Electric Blanket
Purpose	deep pressure stimulation	warmth and comfort	generates heat for warmth
Weight	heavyweight	lightweight	lightweight
Heating Mechanism	does not require	does not require	built-in heating elements
Therapeutic Benefits	High	No	No
Safety Features	do not require safety features	do not require safety features	automatic shut-off mechanisms to prevent overheating or fire hazards
Usability	can be used anywhere	can be used anywhere	need access to an electrical outlet for operation
Customization	limited options	available in a wide range	fewer options
Care and Maintenance	easy to clean and maintain	easy to clean and maintain	require more care
Mobility	heavy to carry	easy to carry	limited portability
Price	High	Low	High

Figure 3 – Use Weighted Blanket Just Like A Comfy Buddy

FAQ

Is It OK To Use A Weighted Blanket Every Night?

Yes, you can use such blankets not only every night but also you can use it in your living room while sitting on the couch and enjoy netflix.

Are Weighted Blankets OK For Kids?

Yes, both children and adults can use weighted blankets, but you must keep in mind the weight of the blanket.

Are Weighted Blankets For Everyone?

To be honest, no. If you have any medical issues, especially chest pain or respiratory problems you should consult a doctor before using them.

Final Words

To relieve your stress and anxiety especially while sleeping there’s no other option than a weighted blanket. Hope, our guide has helped you and made you a specialist on these types of blankets. By choosing a proper size and material, you can make the most out of a weighted blanket. Have a great sleep tonight, folks!

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