Have been promoted as a treatment for anxiety and insomnia, with celebrities and the influences that swear by their sedative effects. The weighted blankets-barrels filled with glass beads or plastic beads-have passed through a specialized therapeutic tool in a general well-being, it promises better sleep and reduced stress for those who are struggling to relax.
But do they submit to these bold claims, or do we just pay high quality prices for an expensive placebo?
Professional therapists have used weighted blankets since the 1970s to help children with autism and adults with sensory processing disorders. They became commercially available in the 1990s, but remained largely in the special needs communities.
This has changed dramatically in recent years when companies began to target what they call “comfortably restless” – essentially, who is struggling with the trends of modern life. Marketing worked: Time Magazine even called one of the weighted blanket one of Top 50 “Inventions” of 2018.
The idea behind the weighted blankets is simple. Usually weighs between two and 13 kg (experts Suggest you choose one which is 10% of your body weight), use what professional therapists call “deep pressure stimulation”. Soft, even pressure throughout your body mimics the feeling that they are being held or embraced.
What does science say
The research image is thinner than the marketing suggests. Several studies show many promising results, but with significant qualifications.
A Study of 120 Psychiatric Foreign Patients He found that weighted blankets improved symptoms of insomnia over a four -week period in people with high depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety and ADHD. The researchers concluded that it was “a safe and effective intervention for insomnia in patients with mental health disorders”.
Smaller studies have shown similar standards. Found that 63% of adults reported lower stress After just five minutes under a weighted blanket while another study of psychiatric patients were found 60% experienced reduced stress During their stay in the hospital.
However, these studies focused on people with diagnosed mental health conditions, not on the general population now targeted by companies.
This is where science diverts from marketing: Research reviews steadily show that benefits for healthy people are much harder to prove. While weighted blankets can help people with clinical anxiety or sleep disorders there is insufficient evidence that they benefit casual users without existing mental health conditions.
Also about half of the survey in weighted blankets Does not meet quality standards For powerful scientific evidence – a major problem, given the confidence of health claims found on product sites and shiny reviews In lifestyle magazines.
Who can benefit?
This does not mean that weighted blankets are completely useless for healthy people. Transfer workers who have to sleep during the day, when their brains are naturally alert, may find them useful in combating the well -known impact on his health irregular programs. Sanitary care workers, firefighters and pilots based Nap strategic power Could benefit from the fastest appearance of sleep.
The placebo should also not be rejected. If a weighted blanket helps you feel calmer and sleep better, even if the mechanism is not what manufacturers claim, this is still a positive result, provided you understand what you are buying.
Weighted blankets carry some dangers. They should not be used by anyone who cannot easily move under their weight, including young children. People with diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea, HopTraffic problems, high blood pressure or claustrophobia should consult their GP before choosing to use one.
No studies have not reported serious damage, but common sense indicates control with a healthcare provider if you have underlying health conditions.
As low -risk intervention that can complete good sleep hygiene and Normal sleeping cyclesWeighted blankets are not inherently problematic. The issue lies in overcoming their potential.
If you are thinking of buying one, be realistic about your expectations. You do not buy a miraculous treatment for modern stress, but a potentially comforting sleep help that can help you feel more sleeping. For many people struggling with sleep, this gentle pressure and a sense of security could be worth the investment, even if the science behind it is not as stable as marketing indicates.
The real question is not whether the weighted blankets work, but if they work for you and whether the premium price is justified for what could ultimately be a precise hug.
