Fluther: Do weighted blankets actually work to calm you, or is it ...

Do weighted blankets actually work to calm you, or is it all psychological?

Asked by elbanditoroso (33157

) September 2nd, 2020
9 responses
“Great Question” (0

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As asked.

I was listening to something on the radio yesterday and three women were insistent that weighted blankets were calming and helped them sleep.

True?

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Topics: sleep, blankets

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Answers

Yes, it is true. It is akin to swaddling an infant and also works on dogs. There are thunder shirts for dogs that work on the same concept, calms dogs down in stressful situations like fireworks noise or thunderstorms.

The research on weighted blankets has been minimal, although there has been some indication it relieves anxiety.

zenvelo (39418

)“Great Answer” (9

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Yes they work. Yes it’s all psychological.

Lightlyseared (34622

)“Great Answer” (7

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I mean, it’s “all psychological” in that our emotional responses respond to physical stimuli. Grounding in the body through physically soothing experiences, massage, yoga, hot baths… these are all pretty classic approaches to reducing anxiety. Weighted blankets are just another way to do that.

ANef_is_Enuf (26839

)“Great Answer” (6

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Yes they work (at least for some, it’d have the opposite effect on me), and yes, it’s all psychological. Being calm (or not) is a psychological state.

Darth_Algar (18933

)“Great Answer” (4

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When my kid was young we use to call him cocoon boy because he would wrap himself in a heavy quilt no matter the season and he slept like a rock. On time he spilled something on his quilt and I threw it in the wash but forgot to dry it before bed time. He used only a sheet and he was tired the next morning. He said he couldn’t sleep without the weight of the quilt. It wasn’t that he felt cold because it was summer. He said he just felt more relaxed when he felt the heavy quilt on him. I feel the same way in the winter. I love the weight of a heavy thick blanket. It feels comforting.

Pandora (32205

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Weighted blankets have been around for awhile. Though usually for autism or sensory integration therapy. The deep pressure helps with proprioceptive input.

Whether or not it’s actually effective for general usage is another issue.

raum (13206

)“Great Answer” (1

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”The idea behind deep-pressure touch is that it stimulates the release of serotonin and dopamine, two neurotransmitters that tend to make people feel more relaxed.”
From this: https://www.livescience.com/59315-weighted-blankets-faq.html

canidmajor (21233

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I think it’s true. One big comforter is all I need to feel better. Comforters feel much better to me than regular blankets. Maybe that’s why they’re called “Comforters”.

Laura8888 (264

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