Posted on Saturday, February 15th, 2025 at 9:00 am
People will do almost anything to find better-quality sleep. Spending money on fad products and social media hype is all the rage, making it challenging to know what works and what is a waste of time and money.
One of the newest sleep trends is the weighted blanket. Some hefty blankets promise better, deeper sleep, but does adding weight to your nightly routine promote a more restful night’s sleep? Here’s what to know about weighted blankets and whether they can help you get more zzzs.
What Is a Weighted Blanket?
Weighted blankets are heavier than regular bed coverings, typically thanks to glass beads, plastic pellets, and extra materials. They weigh 15 to 25 pounds. The additional weight of these blankets puts more pressure on the body, which some say helps reduce anxiety and stress and helps promote better sleep. Some people on the Autism spectrum claim these blankets make them more comfortable and provide a sense of security and deep pressure stimulation.
How Does a Weighted Blanket Work?
Some researchers suggest that a weighted blanket’s additional pressure on the body can help increase melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that plays an essential role in the sleep-wake cycle. It may also trigger the body to produce oxytocin, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. The compression of a weighted blanket may also activate centers in the brain that regulate involuntary processes like heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure. The gentle sensation of pressure over the entire body can help create a feeling of warmth and calm, easing stress and anxiety and allowing the body to drift off to sleep more easily.
Additional studies indicate that those with insomnia may also benefit from sleeping with a weighted blanket. Participants using weighted blankets indicated that they experienced a decrease in the severity of their insomnia symptoms when sleeping with a weighted blanket. In contrast, those using a light blanket did not report notable improvement in their sleep.
While the research is promising, there are still not enough studies to conclude that weighted blankets provide people with a better-quality sleep experience. However, a weighted blanket and other traditional sleep therapies may help improve some patient outcomes.
What to Know About Trying a Weighted Blanket
If you want to explore the potential benefits of a weighted blanket yourself, follow these tips. Always select a weighted blanket based on your weight and comfort level. Studies suggest that a specialty blanket should weigh 10 percent or less of a person’s total body weight.
Never use a weighted blanket to cover infants, toddlers, children, or older adults who are not strong enough to remove the blanket themselves. These blankets can smother and potentially kill vulnerable children and older adults with mobility issues.
Weighted blankets may not be suitable for individuals with low blood pressure and circulatory problems like Type 2 diabetes. If you have sleep apnea, use caution. Weighted blankets can help you snuggle off to dreamland. Still, they are not a substitute for therapeutic sleep apnea treatments like oral appliances that help prevent an individual’s airway from collapsing while they sleep.
It’s Time for A Better Night’s Rest
If you want to explore all your options for a better night’s sleep, call (631) 983-2463 or book an appointment online so you can talk to the sleep professionals at Silent Night Therapy of Babylon Dental Care about a complimentary sleep consultation. Our staff is committed to helping you get the right diagnosis and find the right sleep solutions.