What are Health Care Providers saying About Weighted Blankets: Research is ongoing. But evidence suggests that weighted blankets stimulate body mechanisms that promote sleep. They’ve become a popular non-medication sleep support for many people.
A weighted blanket evenly distributes weight over the body. This can feel similar to a warm embrace.
A weighted blanket can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system through deep pressure touch. That’s according to a 2024 review in Frontiers in Psychology.
The parasympathetic nervous system runs in contrast to the sympathetic nervous system. The latter controls our body’s “fight-or-flight” response.
The parasympathetic nervous system stimulates the release of certain chemicals. These include serotonin and dopamine and lowers levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. The result is a lower heart rate, steadier breathing, and more relaxed muscles.
The review also found that weighted blankets can help increase concentrations of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate our bodies’ sleep-wake cycles
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