Weighted blanket Pros and Cons

Weighted blankets are thick blankets that are used therapeutically to alleviate anxiety and stress. Weighted blankets are typically between 5-30 pounds in weight and are stuffed with plastic pellets or glass beads. When placed on the body, the increased weight is intended to provide a soothing effect.

Weighted blankets provide a hug-like feeling by using a technique known as deep pressure stimulation (DPS) to make the user feel more comfortable. An example of deep touch pressure given to the body — by fingertips, devices, or blankets — can help to calm the nervous system.

When Temple Grandin was looking for a way to help autistic children cope with their anxiety, she came across deep pressure therapy. She wanted to give these patients something that didn't seem to confine or restrict them, so she devised a "hug machine" that gave mild pressure to the body. When she did so, she observed an increase in oxytocin levels in her patients.

Weighted blankets were created as a result of this research. They work like a "hug machine" by lightly pushing on the body and promoting oxytocin release.

Weighted blankets are a type of deep pressure therapy that can help the brain produce more dopamine and serotonin. These are "feel happy" neurotransmitters that can make you feel peaceful, happy, and relaxed. For this reason, weighted blankets have been used to treat autism, sensory processing disorder, and depression.

Weighted blanket Pros

Since weighted blankets are a type of deep pressure therapy, they provide many of the same benefits, including a rise in serotonin and a decrease in heart rate.

Individuals that use weighted blankets often have a relaxing sensation, and they are frequently utilized by individuals who are anxious or have a condition that causes them to be excessively fidgety. Weighted blankets have proven to be effective in relaxing people of all ages.

Researchers have discovered that using a weighted blanket can improve social interactions for users, primarily because they can receive sufficient sleep the night before.

When a person is unable to sleep well, it affects every element of their life, including social interactions and performance in other areas, such as school or work. When people regain their sleep, it is common for them to regain their lives as well.

Serotonin affects the sleep-wake cycle by modulating sleep phases and influencing sleep depth. Deep pressure touch has been demonstrated to increase serotonin release, assisting the user in sleeping more quietly and soundly.

Weighted blanket Cons

Weighted blankets are generally considered to be safe for healthy individuals, older kids, and adolescents, as a general rule. Weighted blankets, on the other hand, should not be used on toddlers under the age of two due to the risk of suffocation. Suffocation is a problem for even older children with developmental disorders or delays. 

Additionally, a weighted blanket may be inappropriate for individuals who have specific medical issues, including the following:

• Obstructive sleep apnea is a condition in which breathing is interrupted while sleeping.
• Asthma, which can result in nighttime breathing difficulties.
• Claustrophobia, which may be triggered by the tightness of a weighted blanket.