As October comes around, the days get shorter — and those of us in colder climates reach for our favorite cup of tea and coziest blanket. Increasingly over the past few years, that might be a weighted blanket, which uses deep pressure stimulation to calm and soothe. Researchers created the original weighted blanket to reduce anxiety for people with autism. Today, a medical provider might recommend weighted blankets to patients with anxiety, insomnia and a range of other medical issues.
But there’s still some controversy over how effective they are — and whether they’re just a cash cow. Let’s get into the debate.
What are the origins of weighted blankets?
In 1992, scientist Temple Gardin invented the hug machine to help autistic people deal with severe anxiety. The machine applies deep pressure on users, which stimulates mood-boosting hormones — just like a hug. It became a popular treatment in the special needs autistic community.
For researchers investigating the benefits of deep pressure stimulation, weighted blankets were a natural next step.
Why might a medical provider recommend one?
There is some limited evidence that weighted blankets and the pressure they can provide can help patients combat sleep conditions like insomnia, chronic pain and certain disorders, such as ADHD. In nursing homes, nurses have also seen these blankets boost the health experience of elderly patients.
Dr. Adrian Pristas, a sleep doctor based in Hackensack, New Jersey, recommends them to a wide variety of patients, even chemotherapy patients experiencing generalized anxiety. Monique Johnson, a 29-year-old diagnosed with autism and ADHD at an early age, says her weighted blanket has helped her deal with panic attacks and insomnia. She calls her weighted blanket her “version of an inhaler.”
Is there any skepticism surrounding the use of weighted blankets?
Some medical providers believe there are better interventions out there. Psychologist Scott Bea compares using weighted blankets for chronic anxiety to “putting a BandAid on a broken leg.”
“We are a culture that wants a quick fix, so it’s tempting to buy [weighted blankets] and hope that they will fix everything,” he says. “But this is usually not the case.”
Are there any risks that come with weighted blankets?
Just like any treatment intervention, there are a few risks to keep in mind while using a weighted blanket.
For instance, weighted blankets are not suitable for people with asthma or obstructive sleep apnea, as they may disrupt breathing during sleep. Experts typically recommend that a weighted blanket should weigh around 5 to 12 percent of your body weight to be optimally effective.