what are the benefits of a gravity blanket

Benefits

• General Anxiety. Some studies show that the use of weighted blankets may help reduce nighttime levels of cortisol, a stress hormone that can contribute to anxiety. ...
• Anxiety During Certain Medical Procedures. ...
• Insomnia. ...
• Insomnia in Children with ASD. ...
• Sleep Problems in Children with ADHD. ...
• Other Conditions. ...

Full Answer

What is the science behind the gravity blanket?

No matter what language Gravity uses to market the product, evidence to support the science behind it is almost nonexistent. Senior doctors and researchers say that deep touch pressure stimulation- the technology used by Gravity blanket- has been used for people with autism and dementia to calm the nerves and promote rest.

Does the gravity blanket work for dementia?

Senior doctors and researchers say that deep touch pressure stimulation- the technology used by Gravity blanket- has been used for people with autism and dementia to calm the nerves and promote rest. But Gravity went all out with claims to treat and cure psychiatric conditions.

What are the benefits of Weighted blankets?

Weighted blankets also improve the duration and quality of your sleep by stimulating the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is a precursor to melatonin (the sleep hormone). 2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Can Weighted blankets help with elevated cortisol levels?

Over time, however, elevated cortisol levels can have a negative impact on a person's physical and mental health. 8  By providing deep pressure, weighted blankets can promote relaxation and help break this cycle.

Who should not use a weighted blanket?

Manufacturers recommend that people under the age of 10 should not use a weighted blanket. A person should talk to a healthcare professional before their child uses a weighted blanket.

Are gravity blankets healthy?

These blankets have shown positive results for several conditions, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety. They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles.

Can you sleep with a weighted blanket every night?

Adults and older children can use weighted blankets as bed covers or for relaxing during the day. They are safe to use for sleeping throughout the night. However, they are not for everyone. They are not recommended for children under the age of 2, for example.

Do gravity blankets help you sleep?

Weighted blankets can: Calm your nerves. Pressure from the blanket may trigger nervous system responses that lower your heart rate and breathing when you're anxious. This can help you calm down and sleep.

Do doctors recommend weighted blankets?

A small 2015 study published in the journal Sleep Medicine and Disorders found that people who used a weighted blanket for two weeks slept longer and reported better sleep quality—and less movement during sleep—than when they didn't use the blanket.

What are the pros and cons of weighted blankets?

Pros: using a weighted blanket offers a drug-free way to help you cope with anxiety, fall asleep easier, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling restored. Cons: conventional weighted blankets can be too hot to sleep under and aren't eco-friendly.

Can I sleep on my side with a weighted blanket?

For best results, we recommend sleeping on your back. This way, it covers your entire body with an even pressure. You can sleep on your side, but this means less area covered by the blanket.

Do you use sheets with a weighted blanket?

When using a weighted blanket, it can be helpful to include cozy sheets to complete the perfect, dreamy sleep set.

Should you cover your feet with a weighted blanket?

Your feet can be covered or uncovered, whichever you prefer. It might be a good idea to just use it on certain parts of your body first, to allow you to adjust to the feeling of it. To reap the long-term benefits, incorporate your weighted blanket into your daily routine.

Do weighted blankets help blood pressure?

Another study published in the journal Occupational Therapy in Mental Health revealed that participants who used weighted blankets had lower blood pressure, pulse rates and pulse oximetry — all signs of reduced stress levels.

Is sleeping naked better for your health?

If sleeping naked helps you receive the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep each night, then it's worth trying. Research suggests that sleeping naked may potentially positively impact reproductive health, connection with a partner, and self-esteem.

Do weighted blankets help with depression?

By providing deep pressure touch, weighted blankets can promote relaxation and help break this cycle. This may trigger the release of the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are feel-good hormones produced in the brain. These hormones help combat stress, anxiety, and depression.

How much weight should I put on a weighted blanket?

As a general rule, a weighted blanket should be 10% of an adult person’s body weight, according to most manufacturers’ websites. Other guidelines include: 18 . Adults can use medium-to-large weighted blankets ranging from 12 to 30 pounds.

What is the function of the parasympathetic system?

The parasympathetic system counterbalances this sympathetic activation. DPS and weighted blankets can stimulate the parasympathetic response. When the parasympathetic nervous system kicks in, it can instill feelings of calm, slowing many of the body's autonomic functions.

Why are weighted blankets good for sensory processing?

Weighted blankets may help adults and children with sensory processing disorder feel calmer and more relaxed. 5  Persons with this disorder have difficulty processing sensory information such as textures, sounds, smells, tastes, brightness, and movement.

What is weighted blanket?

The science behind using a weighted blanket is a well-known and proven relaxation therapy that is frequently used for people with stress and anxiety.

Why is a weighted blanket not good for claustrophobic people?

In addition, a weighted blanket may also be unsuitable for those people who are claustrophobic, as it may cause anxiety rather than ease it.

How many deaths from weighted blankets?

There have been at least two reports of deaths in children due to weighted blankets, one in a 7-month-old baby and one in a 9-year-old boy who had autism. 17  Parents should consult their pediatrician before using a weighted blanket for children of any age.

Why do people snuggle under blankets?

Many adults associate snuggling under a comfy blanket with a sense of security, which harkens back to “security blankets” they may have had as a child. Blankets are often referred to as “comfort objects” by child psychologists—that is, an item used to ease frustration or anxiety at times of stress. 1 

How many nights of sleep do you get with gravity blankets?

When using Gravity Blankets across 1000 nights of sleep, 72% of participants in a 2019 study reported deeper, more restful sleep during the night. In addition, 76% reported falling asleep faster and 78% reported feeling more rested upon waking up in the morning.

What color is gravity blanket?

Our Gravity Blankets feature gorgeous modern neutral Grey and White colors, so they should match any room in your house. Plus, the outer duvet cover is constructed from a luxurious fabric to make it the coziest weighted blanket you’ll ever own.

Why are weighted blankets good for sleep?

They have been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, aide with sleep, and improve emotional wellbeing. Not only do they provide a boost to your health, the right weighted blanket can be a stylish, and comfortable addition to your master bed. We’ve partnered with Gravity Blankets to provide you with your first step on the path to better, healthy sleep.

Do weighted blankets help with anxiety?

Nobody is living their best life when they aren’t getting great sleep . Studies from the Sage Journal show decreased irritability, paranoia, and anxiety when using weighted blankets. Gravity Blankets can keep you cool, calm, and collected. 54.7% of users reported Gravity Blanket helped reduce overall stress, and when you’re not stressed, you can be your best!

1. Improves Sleep Duration and Quality

Desperate for a good night’s rest? A weighted blanket can help! According to the experts, weighted blankets have been shown to improve sleep in people with insomnia and other psychiatric disorders.

2. Reduces Stress and Anxiety

If tight deadlines, a mounting to-do list and a constant stream of bad news are weighing heavy on your mind, you’re definitely not alone. Stress and anxiety disorders seem to be on the rise. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, snuggling up to our Gravity Weighted Blanket may help you relax and fall asleep faster.

3. Lowers Cortisol

Speaking of stress, did you know that weighted blankets reduce cortisol — aka, the stress hormone? Chronically high levels of cortisol are associated with a host of health problems, including weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease, a suppressed immune system and digestive issues.

4. Boosts Mood

Once you start using a weighted blanket, don’t be surprised if you have a little more pep in your step. Weighted blankets supercharge your serotonin levels, helping you relax and fall into a more peaceful slumber. But their mood-boosting effects don’t stop there.

5. Reduces Restlessness

Dealing with Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS)? Although there are few studies on the use of weighted blankets for RLS, their compression-like pressure can potentially help calm and soothe your muscles. Additionally, the pressure of the blanket can take your mind off the distracting sensations in your legs, making it easier to fall asleep.

6. Calms You Down

Weighted blankets are thought to activate the proprioceptive system, which is the sense responsible for sensory processing. For this reason, they’re often used to help people with autism, ADHD and other people who are more likely to be overstimulated by noises around them.

7. May Reduce Pain

A growing number of people with chronic pain swear by using weighted blankets, but do they really provide pain relief? Truthfully, it’s difficult to say since there are no scientific studies on the use of weighted blankets for chronic pain (although, one is currently underway at the University of California, San Diego).

Why are weighted blankets used?

It went on to state that weighted blankets are used by hospitals and other healthcare facilities to treat patients suffering from anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and attention deficit disorders, and that the science behind Gravity blanket could treat disorders of this kind without the need of a qualified doctor or healthcare expert.

How many people donated to the Gravity blanket?

The biggest sign of the campaign’s success was the number of people who donated to the campaign: more than 15,000. Gravity created quite a stir with its big promises.

Is gravity blanket a placebo?

This has a placebo effect on conditions like anxiety and insomnia, among others. The weight of the blanket is 10 percent of the weight of the user. Weighted blankets are custom-made, and are several times more expensive than ordinary blankets. Gravity blanket was touted as a “premium-grade, therapeutic weighted blanket” ...

Does Gravity violate Kickstarter rules?

Gravity was also found to violate Kickstarter’s rules. The site forbids campaigns for “any item claiming to cure, treat, or prevent illness or condition.”. Kickstarter has confirmed that it asked Gravity to change the language used to promote the blanket since it could mislead consumers.

Does the FDA regulate weighted blankets?

Although the FDA does not regulate wellness products like weighted blankets, there is a clear guideline that states that these products can be marketed as ‘supporting people with certain conditions’ but not ‘as a treatment or cure.’. Gravity was also found to violate Kickstarter’s rules.

Does gravity blanket work?

No matter what language Gravity uses to market the product, evidence to support the science behind it is almost nonexistent. Senior doctors and researchers say that deep touch pressure stimulation- the technology used by Gravity blanket- has been used for people with autism and dementia to calm the nerves and promote rest.

Why Better Sleep Matters

Gravity works by simulating the feeling of being hugged, releasing relaxation-inducing hormones serotonin and melatonin for a better, deeper sleep.

About SleepScore

SleepScore was founded in 2016 by a team of sleep experts from companies, institutions and organizations such as ResMed, Apple, Philips, and Harvard.

What is weighted blanket?

A weighted blanket is often used in occupational therapy, or sensory integration therapy, designed for those who have sensory processing disorder like autism. The blanket promotes deep touch pressure or DTP that helps patients to regulate their emotions as well as their behavior. Deep touch pressure helps stimulate the production ...

What hormones are involved in regulating sleep?

Promotes melatonin production. Melatonin is a type of hormone that is known for promoting sleep and even helping with regulating our sleep cycle, or circadian rhythm. It appears that melatonin is linked to serotonin where, when it is triggered by the weight of a heavy weighted blanket, also causes melatonin to be produced.

How to help a child with autism concentrate?

Some children with autism or ADHD find that they are able to concentrate better with the help of a weighted blanket. The idea behind it is that giving a child the feeling of security through the weight of the blanket can help them become more focused on the task at hand. If using a weighted blanket as a tool, in the daytime, is not conducive to you and your child, try a weighted vest or weighted lap pads which can also have the same effect. There are schools that are already implementing the use of weighted lap pads and blankets to help their students with autism or ADHD.

What happens when you have anxiety?

The problem is that when you have anxiety, this can lead to many sleepless nights, which can lead to insomnia. What happens is that your cortisol levels remain high, disrupting your sleep. The combination of anxiety and insomnia may have a huge effect on your health. However, it may be alleviated with the use of a weighted blanket heavy on your body as it has been found to stimulate your feel-good hormones called dopamine; hence, potentially reducing cortisol levels in your body.

Why do people use weighted blankets?

There is some research that shows that the use of a weighted blanket before stressful events may help calm the nervous system, potentially lowering anxiety levels. This is one of the most appealing weighted blanket benefits we have seen.

What does it feel like to have restless legs?

Those who have been diagnosed with restless leg syndrome often describe it as a creeping and crawling feeling running up and down their legs at night. Unfortunately, this causes their sleep to become interrupted; hence, fatigue is a common issue for those with RLS. Having restless leg syndrome can be uncomfortable too if you are traveling. Some RLS suffers say that the symptoms lessen when they have something heavy pressing down against their legs, which is what a weighted blanket does. Although many opt for compression socks, they can be too tight or uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time.

Why do weighted blankets help with heart rate?

This is because the body releases oxytocin, which has been found to reduce one’s blood pressure, creates that feeling of relaxation, and even slows down the heart rate. This is the same feeling that you get when you are using a weighted blanket, which helps your body go into a calm and relaxed state.

Detailed Information About Gravity Blankets

How do gravity blankets work? Their potential benefits have not been studied in great detail, but there are many promising results. In a Forbes article, the following lines come to the fore: “Gravity blankets can also alleviate symptoms in people with insomnia, chronic pain, and restless leg syndrome.

Gravity Blanket: A Traditional Solution to Anxiety and Sleep Problems

The use of a gravity blanket, which is a natural therapy method that can be used by almost everyone, provides the same relaxation during a massage. Pressure applied to the body not only brings physical relief but also a psychological advantage.

Does Gravity Blankets Really Provide Psychological Support: A Scientific Approach

When I heard the idea of a gravity blanket that claimed to relax people, reduce stress, and contribute to solving many psychological problems, I remembered my old blanket. For many years, every time I had a hard day, I would go home and relax knowing that I would cover my beloved blanket.

How to Make Your Own Gravity Blanket

Gravity blankets are used to cause a relaxing condition that can induce sleep in some individuals. Gravity blankets are designed to create pressure stimulation that promotes the production of the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin helps to calm the brain, relieve anxiety or stress, and help the body achieve a good night’s sleep.

Best Gravity Blankets That You Can Buy Online

Living Essentials Weighted Blanket with Bamboo Fiber Quilt Cover | (15 lbs, 48″x72″ Twin Size) | Heavy Blanket | 100% Cotton Material with Glass Beads | Dark Gray | Gift Box (Price: $88.90)

Weighted Blanket Benefits

Weighted blankets which were formerly a device of the therapists have become a normal part of healthy sleep and stress relief habits. Weighted blankets have a long record of use in sensory integration therapy and are sometimes referred to as gravity blankets.

How do Weighted Blankets Work?

As implied by the name, this type of blanket is a throw-size blanket filled with materials like poly pellets, discs, polypropylene plastic beads or breathable cotton material.

Benefits of Weighted Blankets

The deep pressure stimulation by the blankets helps to relax the nervous system which may help relieve pain, improve mood, and lessen anxiety. Below are a few benefits from the weighted blanket.

Risks Associated Weighted Blankets

Well, everything that has an advantage should have a bit of a disadvantage attached to it. For a weighted blanket, there are very few risks attributed to the use.