Do Weighted Blankets Really Do Anything?

[@mikerphone.]

My blankets are weighted down with the soaked up tears i shed when i cry myself to sleep evey night.

[@handfulmousefly]

big mood

[@ACECT]

F

[@sleepydog9968]

at least other bodily fluids arent released, if you know what i mean....

[@penelopepigeon8505]

I have this urge to hug you. 😝

[@Gee-xb7rt]

hmmm, get some face tattoos and become a soundcloud rapper, women love soundcloud rappers.

[@jeremyohrt3898]

It just holds you down and your body goes, "okay I guess this is what's happening so I won't even anticipate moving so I'll just relax since this is my life now."

[@mamsmith83]

😂😂

[@jaytee2642]

Unless you're prone to claustrophobia. I'm only slightly claustrophobic, but I think I'd feel trapped ( or at least anxious) under a weighted blanket. Haven't tried one though, so I'm not really sure how I would react.

[@jeffc5974]

@@jaytee2642 You should try it and report back in the name of science.

[@jaytee2642]

@@jeffc5974 Yeah sure, just call me Jay Tee the Guinea Pig! 😄😄😄

[@animerlon]

That actually seems like a rational explanation. I've seen video of a horse trainer who tames wild horses by putting them in a trailer, with their head sticking out, then fill it with sawdust so they experience an even pressure over their whole body. It's quite amazing seeing them become totally calm in no time.

[@mlr4524]

That's why one has multiple cats, evenly spaced....

[@jdropje8]

Lol, when I got my weighted blanket it definitely reminded me of having a couple of cats pinning my blanket down! But I didn't have to apologize to my blanket for moving.

[@tladybug100]

Haha me right now😂 I’m trying to go to sleep but I’m surrounded by cats

[@dyscea]

Patent this now.

[@NoThankUBeQuiet]

Cats leave when you move.

[@ginnyjollykidd]

@@NoThankUBeQuiet Yup. 😿 It's a real catch - 22 when you have to go pee and your cat is snuggled tightly upon you.

[@aspentree6761]

Weighted blankets calmed me down before I even knew what a weighted blanket was

[@nobody2021]

Same. When I was a small child, like 7 or 8, my family had this big bowl shaped chair, and the cushion that fit into the bowl was large and very heavy. I liked to take naps with it laying on me like a blanket. 17 years later I find out about weighted blankets, buy one, and now I seem to be able to fall asleep faster than before.

[@silvasilvasilva]

I was surprised that he said a placebo study was not possible. I had never heard of these blankets before and would certainly have no expectations about them.

[@Custerd1]

I discovered the concept by accident. My parents kept the house pretty cool in winter, so I just piled on the blankets onto the bed. Like 7. And then a quilt.

[@Kate-fi8oh]

Aspen Tree -like when we used to put a quilt on top of a feathered bed cover. So cozy.

[@camillereid988]

I moved from a tropical climate (no need for blankets) and began using blankets to stay warm during the winter. Now, even when it's too warm for blankets I still feel the need to use one. Helps reduce anxiety and allows me to feel more settled.

[@blixembot6269]

human: hmm, blanket comfy... Funny Science Man: BUT IS IT REALLY THOUGH

[@cexilady3333]

blixembot yes

[@nameforcomments4092]

Science man's video's conclusion: It may be comfy, it's ultimately up to what what people think.

[@GiovannaAguilar]

Yes!

[@aidan9752]

@@cexilady3333 lmao your name

[@jonesymeow9487]

I love mine.

[@holdmybeer]

i like when they put the lead aprons on me in the dentist office for x-ray.

[@BothHands1]

me tooo

[@lajya01]

It actually makes me feel anxious about the radiation level of the machine

[@emic138]

i just realized this while watching this video!!

[@wmdkitty]

It's not heavy enough for me.

[@avmtg3549]

This is exactly what lead me to get a weighted blanket, I always found the lead apron sensation so comforting.

[@danielemmanuel6261]

"Different people are different" - Hank Green

[@justyouraveragefluff2298]

What about similar people?

[@V1N_574]

@@justyouraveragefluff2298 I heard they are similar, different but similar...

[@TomBortels]

The problem with the placebo theory is that I find the lead apron used at the dentist for an X-Ray to be *very* comforting - and there was no expectation there that it should be - indeed, just the opposite, the dentist is a very stressful environment.

[@no_peace]

Yeah there's no way. They use deep pressure on cows and I don't think it's a placebo, lol www.hiqualequipment.com/squeeze-chute.php Here's a Temple Grandin paper about deep pressure: www.grandin.com/inc/squeeze.html She did the same thing I used to do: "In my case, l used to crawl under sofa cushions and have my sister sit on them." It's instinctive for a lot of people

[@holymaryfullofshit3790]

if it comforts you it could be that you just like oustside control. maybe try some bdsm. also anecdotal evidence is irrelevant. so even if you percieve it to prove placebo theory false it really doesnt matter. just like homeopathic medecine does not actually work just because some people report that their neighbors friends niece has a horse wich was cured by homeopathie.

[@randomuser5443]

Feels like it is a hug

[@thingamabitch]

I have upper back pain and I accidentally found that having a friend lie on top of me relieved it when they saw me snoozing and they wanted me to wake up, so they just kind of glomped me. I was like "no, stay there that feels nice." I did the same thing for them, and it helped them too. We're both severely touch-starved singles and we cuddled a lot during an extended visit an it relieved a lot of stress. A lot of animals sleep in piles. Maybe a lot of us don't cuddle as much as humanity used to.

[@beberivera7011]

This is quite a profound observation.

[@DiscoChixify]

It’s true, we don’t cuddle as much as we used to as a species because we were pack animals and modern culture has us doing the one bedroom apartment/single person in a car on the freeway lifestyle. Humans used to have tons of kids & 2-4 boys would share one bed (same for girls). Think Willie Wanka & The Chocolate factory, where both sets of grandparents are just spending the day in bed all alternating head to toe style. Or that song Roll Over where there are 10 monkeys in a bed & the little one says roll over (nursery rhyme). My son (&many other children) has a hard time sleeping by himself and will climb into my bed at night for comfort or only fall asleep if I’m laying next to him in his bed before going to my own. Children tend to be very physical. They dog pile on their parents, have tickle fights, cuddle puddle, and play with each other’s faces as well as with their parents faces. They love to sit on laps while reading, watching tv, eating meals, or while their parents are socializing with other parents. It’s instinctual and makes us feel safe & cared for. As we get older we become too old to burry our faces in mommy’s belly, sit on laps, or sleep in the same bed with our parents. It becomes taboo for children to share a bed or even a room because personal space becomes our new thing as teenagers. And then the physical attention we seek has to come from slumber parties with kids in their own sleeping bags piled together on the floor or siblings and their parents packed on the couch for a movie. Hugs are also a great way to fill that need for touch. We hug our parents and grandparents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends and significant other. Those that don’t have a lot of close friends or siblings, or who have busy parents, tend to find that craving for touch in an intimate partner. They’re lost and lonely and just want to be with someone because we’re pack animals and often find themselves in mature situations that they might not be ready for... and sometimes that need for touch leads them to intentionally or accidentally start a new pack of their own.

[@Niaaal]

A lot of poor familes in third world or developing countries do sleep all tucked together on a giant bed or covered floor. Touch provides excellent social bounding and also great pleasure as it releases oxytocin.

[@scottwood7872]

Maybe I’ll start a Facebook group for people in my community that would like to sleep in piles. Or...can I get a thunder shirt for humans? Maybe a Great Dane shirt would work? Nah. Great Danes have no reason to feel anxiety. Only tiny dogs... So. Who wants to start a human thunder shirt business?

[@wendygold8527]

Sounds like you two should marry.

[@rolllikeabuffalo]

Mild/Moderate anxiety sufferer here and the blankets are a GODSEND for me personally. I've always had an issue with sleeping alone and I tried fixing that by surrounding myself with pillows and blankets to make me feel snug but a weighted blanket just does the job so much better.

[@NewMessage]

They certainly keep me from waking up on the ceiling.

[@jarencascino7604]

New Message are u made of helium

[@willchei]

Oh crap! I have a new message!

[@8xMorladumx8]

This dude needs Jesus. And a couple priests xD

[@ruddthreesnestedboxes]

Don't you just hate it when you wake up on the ceiling?

[@jackielinde7568]

A sleeping bag tied to the bed frame would do the same thing. It's been proven by NASA.

[@musclehank6067]

Oh yeah I sleep with a 38,000,000 pound blanket so when I toss and turn in my sleep it's still a workout

[@Studio-7V]

I wait for your comment on every video

[@makyx4303]

its like these weighted clothes goku wears

[@katiekane5247]

That means 649.76 cats

[@daydodog]

@@makyx4303 i do refer to my weighted blanket as my "weighted training blanket"

[@joshuamirabal3617]

Not a bad idea. It’s Gotta strengthen your diaphragm too so you’re prepared for the battles on another planet that has a higher gravity than earths

[@funnyteacherman]

Autistic weighing in. I don't have a weighted blanket (they're over $100) but I literally cannot sleep without a comforter on, even in the middle of summer. For me, at least, the weight helps distract me from the feeling of falling asleep, which makes me super anxious. I know a lot of other autistic people who use weighted blankets and comforters for anxiety, for better sleep quality, and because they just like the way they feel. I know other folks who hate them and get more anxious around them. As you said, different people are different.

[@zpinn8242]

What's a comforter?

[@Meravokas]

@@zpinn8242 A 'Comforter' is simply a thicker, heavier and warmer blanket. Think the kind of blanket you use during the fall, winter and early spring when you need something warmer than a top sheet or a light blanket.

[@老人圣诞-d8t]

Homebase I'm also autistic and have never tried a weighted blanket, I only recently found out about them and intend to give one a try at some stage but I also can't sleep without a heavy quilt, and I live in a place that gets to over 45C so sometimes I wake up so sweaty that I feel like I've had a shower, so if the weighted blanket isn't too hot it may be helpful for my sleep

[@Ascathon]

Same regular blanket which keeps me warm in the winter is still on the bed during the summer. Can't do without them.

[@rdizzy1]

What on earth is "the feeling of falling asleep"? I've never had any sort of feeling of falling asleep or anything I could describe as such.

[@Ando2k10]

I discovered this accidentally. I decided that I'd learn to crochet, and for my first project, I decided to make an Afghan for my king-sized bed. (dream big, right?) To make it even more of a test, I decided to do it double skeined, using two skeins of yarn at the same time, with a triple crochet stitch. The resulting blanket was ridiculously heavy, but, since I'd made it, I had to put it on the bed. Sleeping under it was so much nicer and more comfortable than any other blankets I'd ever used.

[@lauriemrdjan]

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Great job.

[@SD_Marc]

It sounds like swaddling, or thunder shirts for pets. I know in the winter when I've got a couple extra wool blankets on my bed weighing me down, I feel more comfortable.

[@staticbeans]

Marc Arndt “thunder shirts” 😂

[@blowitoutyourcunt7675]

Nanny here, swaddling helps babies immensely and parents often lament the process of weaning the swaddle as it an cause sleep training regression. I put my own kiddo in a sleep sack when she was too old to be swaddled and she's never really outgrown it since as a 10 year old her favorite my blanket is my old heavy duty military spec sleeping bag - basically a weighted blanket that keeps her limbs contained.

[@danarichards5976]

Infant swaddling was the first thing I thought of too when I first saw these

[@rmartin6914]

What's a thunder shirt?

[@sdfkjgh]

Rmartin: A shirt made of thunder, duh! Just like a hairshirt is a shirt made of hair, and just like this comment is made of unhelpful, and stupid, questionable humor.

[@cloudstrife6435]

I do tend to relax more when my legs are weighted down while in bed. For instance, if my wife puts a pile of clean laundry on the bed, and I put my legs under it, it just feels good on my legs and I'm more relaxed. I'm not sure how it works, but it works!

[@melonqueen5138]

@The Feeling Is Mutual Maybe it's your turn to do the laundry

[@melonqueen5138]

@Daver G That's a fair statement. Anything is possible.

[@Brasshound480]

If I could trade my wife for a nice blanket, I'd be less anxious.

[@slurvtrutl526]

Yer legs are possessed by gnomes. They like being crushed.

[@lilolmecj]

I find it endearing that you shared that. I grew up with layers of heavy quilts, so I like heavy blankets.

[@aseth9541]

Is there any research on whether people sleep better when 'curled up' with someone? Like children with mothers? This just feels like having a human pillow kind of experience making sleeping easier.

[@BobSmith-tm2kj]

I tend to sleep better with my doggo with me. So regardless of research, it's definitely a nice feeling.

[@dorupero]

@@manso306 Lol so true

[@lazyperfectionist1]

I'm reading Carl Sagan's _The Demon-Haunted World_ right now, and in _his_ assessment, it's a relatively recent development in human society to stick kids in their own rooms. Otherwise, it has been normal and healthy for infants and toddlers to sleep in the arms of a parent or guardian, at least until they're grown enough to stop being afraid of the dark.

[@minion8]

i think i read some time ago that women sleep less well when they share a bed with their partner and men sleep better when they share a bed

[@handfulmousefly]

I have problems with anxiety and frequent nightmares, so having my s/o's arms around me really helps 💕

[@shearerslegs]

I’m Autistic with an anxiety disorder and depression and to be honest I don’t care if I feel better because of a placebo effect because my blanket makes my life easier. I started out with a lap pad and shoulder wrap though to see if I found weight calming because my blanket was very expensive, although it does have a lifetime guarantee.

[@cullenrooney4964]

as someone who has anxiety and insomnia using a weighted blanket has really helped me sleep since i purchased it

[@link6397]

just slam heroin

[@Prplflwr]

Me too!!!

[@ammarhasif2748]

I hope i will cure my insomnia too😭

[@sammykenny]

I have very severe GAD, and my weighted blanket helps me a lot when I’m having a hard time

[@cexilady3333]

sophie km 2 things: 1. Nice Pokémon pic 2. I’m always having a hard time so I sleep with it every night. GAD ducking sucks

[@deniseherud]

Sophie is it very hot in the summer?

[@bronwynecg]

This is a great idea. I CANNOT sleep underneath anything lighter than a thick comforter. Even in the summer. I feel so exposed otherwise.

[@doctorfluffnstuff403]

Simo Dahmani the bliss of faith is an illusion. True happiness can only be achieved through the release of faith and embrace of true freedom. Also, gtfo.

[@alexlawson4173]

Can confirm. Am athiest. Never happy.

[@issecret1]

Simo Dahmani how is that related to the discussion?

[@maddyk1098]

RedDragon Smaug I'm the same way. It's hard to feel safe and comfortable when I dont have a comforter and like another heavier blanket on.

[@jdropje8]

RedDragon, I'm the same way! When I found out that the weighted blankets are breathable so they don't get hot I bought one and I love it! I can't say if it actually makes me sleep better but I love it.

[@MandalaBunnyhome]

You know those heavy vests they give you at the dentist when you're getting an xray? I've always found those super relaxing but I never knew why, so this makes sense

[@MatthewSchellGaming]

This came out like a month after I bought a weighted blanket. Not sure if it's really helping me sleep, hence why I am up at 2 am watching this.

But does it feel good?

[@Shay45]

Actual Human Also after sunset and b4 sunrise block the blue light on your electronics

[@Anna-tc6rz]

When you go to sleep, put down the phone on charge before you lay down, lay down and immediately sleep. If you can't sleep after awhile get up and walk around for a bit then go lay down again. You should only be in bed to sleep and preferably only lay down to sleep. That way your body only associates it with sleep

[@frodott]

Is it 30 or more pounds?

[@dankolaska4277]

Smoke a joint, the best sleep med.

[@Shazzkid]

Hank: different people are different Give this man a nobel prize for this revelation

[@hauntedshadowslegacy2826]

And give dunce caps to everyone who still think the world is one-size-fits-all and keep pushing their beliefs and opinions onto every single person they come across.

[@kronosaurelius]

@@hauntedshadowslegacy2826 that escalated quickly !

[@SomeOnlinePerson]

When I was young, before weighted blankets were a thing, I remember finding comfort in a kinda heavy down comforter that was laid out to feel like it was holding me down against the bed. Maybe looking into things like that, before the belief was there, would help against the placebo thing. Or maybe a sleep study where some get a weighted blanket added as they sleep and others don't.

[@becreb]

I always tuck my comforter really tight under my mattress because it just makes me feel safer and more relaxed… I might look into a weighted blanket!

[@thejesuschrist]

very interesting... I might have to try a weighted blanket.

[@willchei]

Jesus Christ! Really!?! JESUS!

[@schregen]

I love you, Jesus! 🍄

[@Cobra0798]

I could give you a nice blanket made of Turin to shroud yourself with

[@MephLeo]

As if you didn't have had enough burdens. C'mon, Jesus...

[@blackmambo8702]

I hardly ask you for anything so can you give me one too god thnx

[@AvaleseB]

I myself have Aspergers Syndrome (form of Autism) and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD), and 'for me' a weighted blanket is very calming and deep pressure is good for SPD symptoms as well. I also find that without one the other sensations (like sheets and blankets) overwhelm me, which as you can assume isn't good for sleeping. Overall I love my weighted blanket, but they definitely aren't for everyone, my OT would probably agree.

[@AvaleseB]

OT = Occupational Therapist

[@MrWheelman82]

A lot of the people I know with Autism Spectrum Disorder use or have used weighted blankets, some find it comfortable, some don't, I've personally never tried it (Also Autistic, former Asperger Diagnosis). I personally like to be in a position where I'm restricted in motion, like putting one leg over the other, sitting on one of my legs, leaning against walls, pulling in my legs why sitting on a couch, etc. I think it has something to do with having constant feedback on and control over where my limbs are located and being able to control the most dominant sensation in a part of my body, giving me a sense of control over a situation, but I'm basically just guessing. IIRC SPD isn't considered a separate diagnoses here in the Netherlands, but, now that I'm reading up on it, I probably do qualify. (also got a DCD diagnosis)

[@3nertia]

Thank you for sharing your experience!

[@ragnkja]

MrWheelman82 That might be part of why I tend to sit with my legs pulled up under me (the other part being that I am a relatively short female and having my calves and feet under my bum makes dining tables a more comfortable height).

[@genwanders7654]

Same, when I sleep I can't help but feel every part of my body intensely and I just nEVER find the right position-

[@DimitriosDenton]

Gather three groups. Tell one that weighted blankets make insomnia and stress worse. Tell another that weighted blankets make stress better. Tell another nothing. Compare results. There.

[@sam35551]

or do it in a hottel, each room with differend weight blanket and compare

[@Lerrae1908]

Hypothesis: weighted blankets of at least 13.5kg will be beneficial to the sleep quality of consistently troubled sleepers. You need a baseline first. A couple weeks where people merely record regular sleep patterns, after using lightweight (normal) blankets provided to them by the people conducting the study, so the weight is consistent. Also weigh the blankets the people would normally use, to compare with the before and after weighted blanket phases. You need a lot of people with roughly the same weight bed spreads for the strongest start, who are all known for troubled sleep of some sort. If you want a really clean sample, rule out particular groups from testing first, to get the most normalized baseline possible and rule out as many anomalies as possible. Testing on other types of troubled sleepers (diagnosed insomniacs, autistic spectrum, etc.), should be done in groups of similar individuals for consistent results. A hotel is smart too because all the beds and rooms are the same, it removes a lot of variables that would need to be accounted for in the home. A facility may be better though, and I imagine keeping people in different groups from talking to each other would be beneficial so they do not influence each other accidentally. Probably the easiest way to do this is just to test one subset at a time. And double that group size. One subset of groups in which they are told the blankets improve or worsen sleep, who do have weighted blankets; one subset of the two groups told the above respectively but who do not have weighted blankets. And then another subset, told nothing. Again, half of the total group are given weighted blankets, half given none. And then do these tests for a series of two week at a time. Then have the patients all return to normal unweighted sleep for two weeks as well. That would be a good way to start this off, I think. Two weeks may be too short of a time span, though. Maybe one month per cycle. But the ethical implications of possibly depriving people of so much sleep for so long makes me wonder if it would be taken out of consideration. Maybe longer periods of study would be allowed if two week intervals prove harmless, especially if the blankets ARE, in general, beneficial to sleep. And we can't forget, we need a big group of people who normally sleep just fine to also conduct this exact same test with the same parameters. THIS would be the control group, to help more concisely eliminate how much is placebo. Just testing troubled sleepers alone may influence results because of their bias towards WANTING better sleep. The variable group is anyone we expect the blanket to have an effect on (troubled sleepers). The control group are people we do not expect the blankets to have an effect on (regular sleepers). THAT could possibly be an effective study!

[@AntonConstanti]

but the ones you tell it's bad could get a negative placebo effect

[@eleeyah4757]

@@AntonConstanti Hence the control group of nobody being told anything. The real problem with this suggestion is that you have no way of making 100% certain that the people don't just google the whole thing before the test begins for one reason or another. Even if you asked them if they knew about weighted blankets, you couldn't actually be certain they answered truthfully.

[@PeacefulMindsWellbeing]

@@AntonConstanti that's called a nocebo effect

[@dreamermabby]

That's why I sleep with 4 blankets. I've always done this since I was a kid. It's more comforting when I snuggle deep into my bed hidden by heavy numerous blankets.

[@stizz19]

Do you live in the far northern hemisphere? Most people would die of heat exhaustion with that many blankets haha.

[@woodenkat8971]

I work in a long term health care. We had one lady with brain damage that effected her emotional regulation, who got a weighted blanket about halfway thru her stay. It made an amazing difference in her sleep! She slept better and was able to be calmer during the day.

[@tianamatson]

I think the best way to test this can only be on people who have no idea what weighted blankets are or what they are supposed to do. Cause, I hadn't even heard of this before I went to have my wisdom teeth out. I hate the dentist and I have severe anxiety over it. But when they put the lead shield, apron thing on for the xrays it brought my anxiety down a lot. I asked to keep it on while they worked on my teeth. I thought it was the weirdest thing but it worked so well.

[@penelopepigeon8505]

Two words: Large dogs. They'll pin you down, their snoring is ASMR, you'll sleep like a rock. 🐶😴🐶

[@ASouthern419]

Penelope Pigeon I have 5 dogs in my bed with me and I still don’t sleep well 😒 they are not tiny yap yap dogs.

[@kathryngeeslin9509]

Purring cats.

[@lorib1696]

Extra weight and white noise. I like it.

[@janetcolmenero8278]

I run my ceiling fan regardless of the temperature. First of all, air circulation, but the white noise is very helpful.

[@Anna-tc6rz]

@@ASouthern419 I sleep pretty well when there aren't paws in my back

[@acousticpsychosis]

I knew it! All my friends laughed at my lead blanket...makes breathing a challenge, and my feet are numb in the morning, but I never (cant) toss and turn, and sleep like a rock (is on my chest)!

[@akshatshah3717]

If you wrap your phone in it it won't get calls cause it's a Faraday cage!

[@acousticpsychosis]

@@shwh1007 You stole my answer, and you are correct lol

[@acousticpsychosis]

@@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan I've got a desk to hide under when the bombs drop, just like they taught me in school!

[@acousticpsychosis]

@@akshatshah3717 But then how will I watch por...er, youtube?

[@akshatshah3717]

@@acousticpsychosis Use your imagin.. oh, wait...

[@suzettehenderson9278]

I recall reading that while visiting friends, the novelist Henry James removed a painting from the wall to sleep under because the blankets weren't heavy enough for him to sleep. Don't know if this is true.

[@eddievanhorn5497]

I've always gone for heavier blankets because i feel more comfy and safe. Thank you so much for telling me that these exist!

[@Brainstorm69]

I just can't sleep with a blanket weighing me down. I feel way too constricted. Does the opposite for me, or maybe I never had a proper weighted blanket before.

[@rydaddy2867]

There's definitely a limit...I'm a bit claustrophobic, so weighted is good, but heavy will freak me out.

[@Brainstorm69]

@@rydaddy2867 fair point. I guess there is a sweet spot somewhere.

[@jackielinde7568]

Again, as Hank said, people do vary. (EDIT: So, you feel free to do you! No one's looking.)

[@BobSmith-tm2kj]

I actually really like a small/medium amount of pressure on top of me. Makes me feel a bit more secure, but I've never had a weighted blanket before. I was diagnosed with Asperger's about a decade ago so it might be in part due to that. (Oddly, they asked me if it was okay that they did, I had no problems with it but they may have asked since they were phasing that diagnosis out and folding it in with other autism spectrum things) I've never actually had a weighted blanket though. If they're not too outrageously priced I might look into one. So yeah, I'm not saying it'll help YOU (in fact I wouldn't suggest it to anyone since I don't really know much about it) but it seems like something that might help some people.

[@rolfs2165]

@@Brainstorm69 A friend of mine had one of those super-large IKEA duvets, which hung almost to the floor on three sides of the bed. For her, it had the same effect as a weighted blanket, but with less weight.

[@kellymaldia128]

My son has sensory processing disorder. He's hyper-sensitive to skin touch and hypo-sensitive to joint stimulus. He went through OT for 2 years. He'd go on scavenger hunts and add weight to a backpack getting it up to 15 pounds. He'd even pack a backpack full of stuff and just carry it on his own. Fast forward 10 years, he's okay with some textures on his skin. He doesn't like light touches. He needs joint impact daily such as running, Taekwondo, gymnastics, etc. He loves his weighted blanket. He will wrap himself up in it all on his own when he's upset. It instantly soothes him. He can fall asleep in it anywhere.

[@surayyah7503]

hello. thank you for the info learned something new today . Whats Ot ?

[@kellymaldia128]

@@surayyah7503 Occupational Therapist

[@surayyah7503]

@@kellymaldia128 oh understood thank you 😊

[@SereniaSaissa]

My son also has SPD. He is oversensitive to touch - he only wears cotton and cannot wear a suit and tie - he hates this materials of the suit and the noose around the neck with the tie. He is under sensitive in his mouth and has to always chew on comething. When he was younger he chewed on his shirts. Now he chews on the plastic bottle caps from the water bottles we drink out of. And he has been sleeping under a weighted blanket ( a very heavy duvet) since he was 6 years old. He is now 17.

[@CerebrumMortum]

04:20 Actually, it's not a problem to do a placebo controlled research: A starting questionnaire can find a group of people who have never heard of "weighted blankets" (like me before this video), and compare them to the ones that did.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

That doesn't work. After filling in the questionnaire, you've heard of them.

[@JohnDoe-xx8yw]

@@SpaghettiToaster You don't have to tell them what they're for, just whether or not they've heard of them. Still not perfect, but much better

[@SpaghettiToaster]

What could they possssibly be for except to help you sleep better lol

[@JohnDoe-xx8yw]

@@SpaghettiToaster Things like reducing anxiety, sensory processing issues, helping people with austism/aspergers, chronic pain. Secondary effects like these, that most people won't connect to a better night's sleep

[@darkbearmoon]

@@SpaghettiToaster You could do a trial with a light blanket group and a weighted blanket group and compare results. In order to reduce the likelihood of a weighted blanket being more associated with comfort and soothing than a regular blanket (something I imagine is pretty universal) among participants, take them from regions of little to no internet access. Or even the third world

[@mjames7674]

I got one a few months ago, and I gotta say it impressed me with how much it helped. Ive had really severe anxiety, panic attacks and insomnia my whole life and there have been very very few things beside meds/drugs that have helped at all. It really surprised me, and I would absolutely recommend it.

[@grod805]

How does it help with anxiety? Mine is so heavy i cant move or breath. Makes me worse. I literally feel trapped

[@Silkendrum]

@@grod805 - It's simply too heavy. Try one about 7% of your body weight, or try it covering only from your waist down.

[@name_here___4070]

It's like trying to study whether eating chocolate _actually_ makes some people happy, or whether it just makes them _feel_ happy.

[@angelyoung8897]

@@automaticninjaassaultcat3703 wow...

[@shaharipudding9453]

I use one to help with sensory problems and chronic pain! Even if it’s a placebo, I sleep better for having one!

[@fabrisseterbrugghe8567]

If it's a placebo, then I love my weighted placebo.

[@SHAZZZZZA]

Same!

[@dianateabag]

I remember when I was a child I went to my uncles who lived in the middle of the Andes. They had wool blankets for the cold. They were so heavy and I loved them. I never knew that was a thing! I want one now

[@danacampbell8331]

I like an eight-pound weight on my chest when I sleep, preferably purring.

[@stephanothecat7743]

my cat is 17 pounds 😭😭

[@amandaallen9460]

My kitten Snowball is like 5 or 6 lbs and it's 5 mths old on the 26 the of this month..

[@theclawless1225]

Two nights ago I was trying to sleep and I thought to myself “idk why but for some reason the lack of blankets on top of me now is giving me more anxiety than usual”. So I hopped on to amazon and looked for blankets....that’s how I found out about weighted blankets! I’ve never bought one but now that I’ve found out about them I’m really hoping I get one for my birthday because I used to relieve my anxiety by stacking up pillows around me, essentially creating a similar hug effect on my back, but this weighted blanket idea sounds more convenient and simple than essentially building a pillow fort every night.

[@thompsign]

I hope you got your blanket😁

[@reinux]

"It works, but it might be placebo." *people start thinking it's a placebo, which itself becomes the placebo* "It doesn't work, but that might only be because we told them it doesn't."

[@dothedo3667]

Yeah that's one of the two parts of nocebo

[@KooblyK]

Another aspie (ASD) weighing (hah) in. I think a big reason for the variability in effectiveness with kids with autism is due to the fact that autism itself can vary so widely between individuals. The main commonality is oversensitivity in some areas (touch, sound, etc.) and undersensitivity in others (like not registering subtle social cues). I’ve asked my fellow autistic friends, and it seems those who are mostly sensitive to touch, specifically light touch, benefit most from the weighted blanket because it smooths out touch sensation to one big one that isn’t as agitating. And then for those with anxiety (often due to the effects of living in a world not built for us) such as myself, we may or may not get the anxiety reducing benefits of it just like anyone else. I have one, but only really use it when I’ve gotten overwhelmed, which isn’t terribly often.

[@NeoLithiumCat]

Seconded. I've always had a thing for hugs ever since I was born and I'm very sensitive to physical sensations, right down to the imagined sensations from words or word sounds (hiss, cut, slap in the face, etc). I've always worn thick clothes and carried heavy backpacks. Even just putting a hat on makes me feel more grounded and relaxed. I get such a feeling of clarity, definition and security with anything weighty. Sometimes with anxiety or skin sensitivity it can feel like you're about to float off or dissipate into what's around you. Weighted things make it really clear where the physical boundaries are between you and other things. I think you're right about it simplifying the sensations. It definitely means I don't have to worry about all the minor sensation changes on my skin and I can just concentrate on what I'm doing because my weighted clothes are protecting my skin from unexpected discomfort. I don't wear so many heavy things as often now, because it's not really acceptable as an adult, but when I'm uncertain, weighted layers are the first thing I turn to. They really take a weight off my mind when I'm trying to feel physically secure and defined. It's the same reason I wear headphones - they really help with not being snuck up on by sensations so you can focus on what matters.

[@nyar2352]

Thirded! I do not have a weighed blanket due to monetary issues, but I cannot for the life of me sleep without a thick duvet, as well as piles of old toys that I just pile up on top of me. Thank you for pointing out that "autism" is not a monolith of people who are all the same.

[@bexceli]

This comment thread has given me new ways to talk about how I experience and cope with my ASD, so thank you. I really relate to the idea of needing to simplify sensations with both touch and sound (and, for me, light), maybe I'll give this weighted blanket thing a try.

[@no_peace]

I used to sleep under my laundry! Just piled on! I wouldn't want to put it away because it was better than sleeping without it. I had a lot of ways to create deep pressure when I was younger and now I don't. Maybe that's part of my problem now One of the OTs at my work used to wear really snug leggings (and maybe tops?) under her other clothes so she would be less likely to be overwhelmed by overstimulating school environments. I like that method and used to wear tight under armour style shirts under my other shirts, but now my work area is too hot

[@buddyclem7328]

Thanks for that adorable nickname! I will add it to my vocabulary.

[@alyssam8550]

ironically weighted blankets kind of make me anxious, they make me feel claustrophobic like i can't move. however, i work with autistic kids and almost all of them seek out deep pressure and many use weighted blankets. i live in Arizona, but i have one kiddo who piles up all of his blankets and clothes on top of his bed to sleep under and he won't sleep any other way. i can't imagine it's placebo for them, they don't know that that is meant to help them, they just know that it does.

[@matthewwaterhouse9925]

I'm right there with you. I have to move. Weighted blanket cause me anxiety. I'm not claustrophobic per se, as long as I can move everything properly.

[@Chubbyfrog125]

I really want to try one for anxiety and insomnia but i also have a fear of not being able to move due to a childhood trauma. I'm so nervous I would spend all this money on one only to hate it.

[@alyssam8550]

@@Chubbyfrog125 I'd be sure to find a way to try one before you buy one in that case. I thought I'd like one and nearly bought one several times, but when I tried one it was way heavier than I expected it to be (and I think the one I tried was only 15lbs) and it immediately made me a bit panicky. Also claustrophobic isn't exactly the right word, I am not claustrophobic, but not being free to move freaks me out a bit.

[@breanneohare302]

@@Chubbyfrog125 try like the kid mentioned earlier and pile 15 lbs of clothes and blankets (evenly spread) on your bed, over your normal covers. See if you love it or hate it, and use that data to help with the decision on purchasing one.

[@no_peace]

Your description of the kids is exactly my experience as an autistic person and as someone who works with autistic kids and other kids with special needs

[@stupot1359]

I have major depression when I got a weighted blanket (20 lbs), it makes me feel a lot less distressed and it does feel like being held or hugged which is even more comforting.

[@shrryph]

Weighted blankets are a godsend for people with chronic anxiety. I remember describing how I needed something heavy on me to be able to sleep, but fours layers gets too hot. It’s not that mysterious, it’s just feelings safe and secure and held down in your most vulnerable time.

[@PerfectInterview]

When caring for a new born infant it's a common practice to wrap them up like a "taco" not too tight but definitely constricting. It seems to calm them. Maybe the weighted blanket has a similar effect.

[@youmaycallmeken]

I was reminded of this too. Perhaps a study can be done of older children and adults, to find out whether having a blanket tucked in (all around) as opposed to not tucked in anywhere, has a significant improvement in mood and sleep.

[@InterKELLar]

If 10 seconds of hugging can give you a feel-good mental boost then shouldn't a night-long weighted blanket make you feel awesome? Because it feels like a long tight hug....

[@Meravokas]

It's the same reason some people wear proper corsets in the modern age. Speaking in a non tight lacing/waist reducing fashion for purpose. But simply being something snug. It's something that helps some people and it's the same as a weighted blanket. It's something that can help trigger that 'safe and protected' feeling, like a hug or cuddling. Even being a guy, in the few number of times (Sadly) I've just been able to share a bed and cuddle with someone. I prefer being the 'little spoon' and enjoy the person's body weight on me. And I have fairly heavy anxiety.

[@Meravokas]

@@InterKELLar Thank you.

[@rblouise6120]

I originally got a weighted blanket for sensory issues and anxiety but I’ve found it mostly helps with my restless legs syndrome. I hardly have any issues with rls anymore.

[@LejlaCikotic]

I have been using a weighted blanket for 30 + days & absolutely love it! Past few years I’ve struggled with sleep & this has helped me sleep 7+ hours it’s amazing. ❤️ Before the blanket, I’d get 3+ hours of sleep. I have the 15lb one. I definitely recommend a weighted blanket. ☺️

[@e.a.ferrer5784]

How do you wash it?

[@vapeking466]

They say its like being hugged in your sleep. After being single 10yrs now Im actually considering one. Every since I became single my sleep has got worse each year. Right now on a good night I get three to four hours of light sleep. You just dont realize how much your partner helps you to sleep until they are gone!

[@norapper6182]

I feel you brother and nobody responded in 4 years I hope you see this and just know your not alone brother 🫂

[@krismoose124]

i dont think its the "weighted" blanket most people enjoy, its the feeling of being slightly constricted. have you heard of the science tests that shown a way to calm new born babies is to wrap them up tight (but not too tight) as its said to give a feeling they are use to in the womb as they know it feels safe

[@jayerscios]

Yeah, I thought of the same thing. Also, they have coats/covers for anxious dogs and I think crating them to make them feel safer, too. The hugging part made sense to me.

[@Platinum_Tugboat]

Swaddling or packing babies with a blanket semi taut. I juuuust wrote a comment about it and how there might be subconscious connections with the associations of protection and comfort as an infant.

[@sophiejohnson4029]

Sometimes it is the weight, for those seeking a “deep pressure” feeling. But the constricting aspect of the blanket also applies. I work with autistic children and we will often roll them up in a “sausage roll” which simulates swaddling or hugs. It’s amazing watching them relax and stop wriggling and heightening almost instantly.

[@matthewwaterhouse9925]

I cannot STAND to be restricted. It freaks me out. My grandfather used to like to play with us by wrapping us up in his arms so tight (legs, arms, etc.) so we couldn't move. He tried it with me when I was about 3 and I head-butted him. He let me go and never held me that tight again. To this day, when my wife cuddles up with me, if she lays on my arm, after a few minutes, I have to take it out and put it around her. Otherwise I start to panic.

[@eweliyi]

kris I must have had really big womb as an embryo as I always hated any constriction, even as a baby, I wanted to be free and hated all heavy duvets, blankets and other things. Now I sleep only under sheet in summer and the lightest fluff duvet in winter :)

[@Nagarath16]

I like heavier blankets but.. I sweat so much that I can't use them. Usually more big and heavier those are.. Heat leavel also goes up. And I live in a northen climate - still it's too damn hot to sleep.

[@yumberry97]

I have a weighted blanket that doesn't provide any warmth at all, from Weighting Comforts. Maybe look into that!

[@Nagarath16]

@@yumberry97 Not only that those are seriously expensive.. I have to pay at least the same amount to get them shipped to Finland. Thank you.. but no thanks.

[@ealaiontoir07]

I’ve needed a heavy amount of blankets always, to the point where it must be rather cold in my room all year long- the AC never leaves my window- I swapped out a few for a weighted blanket and realized that’s kinda what I was going for all along. I’m sure there are some European companies that make them, honestly when I look at them they all seem much the same.

[@glenngriffon8032]

"It could be cognitive, the weight makes it feel like you're being hugged or held which we've evolved to find relaxing." Or "The weight could trigger changes in the cells that push the nervous system towards relaxation" Why can't it be 1 because of 2? Like weight changed our ancestors nervous system to move into as state of relaxation and those were the ones who developed stronger social bonds and survived more and so bred more and passed on the qualities of a pressure response nervous system. I don't think it's a purely cognitive response, I think if we evolved to have a response to something its just as much biological. Like how the smile is associated with joy and the frown is more with unhappiness and anger. That isn't purely cognitive, all humans have this association. We have evolved to smile when we feel joy.

[@3possumsinatrenchcoat]

as someone with autism and anxiety (and way too many others), I've tried them and while it's fine on just my feet, having it on my full body just made me feel crushed and trapped. which, disappointing, since i have terrible time sleeping a lot, but i also really hate people hugging me/etc so it makes sense i guess?

[@redflamearrow7113]

You might want to try a lighter weight. Mine is 12lbs and it's great. Heavier ones smother me. You can get them at Target. They are less expensive there.

[@shylocreek9686]

If you want to try weighted blankets but don't wanna drop hundreds of dollars on them (seriously even the weighted beads are super pricy if you wanted to DIY it that way) you can use some unused very well rinsed aquarium pebbles as a cheap alternative.(you can get a 25pound bag at Walmart for like 8 bucks whereas a 1pound bag of weighted beads are like $5) There are plenty of tutorials on how to sew the blankets themselves! I LOVE weighted blankets and this is a great way to make them more accessable.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

Why not just use several blankets? 3 or 4 thin ones or 2 large feather filled ones should be heavy enough, no?

[@kaiseayaandruis1597]

@@SpaghettiToaster With more normal blankets it could get too hot

[@Michael-590]

Thanks for sharing the info. 👍

[@DiscoChixify]

Shylo Creek this sounds like a great idea. I can imagine using a kitchen weighing machine to get groupings of pebbles all the same weight and then sewing them between two sheets so that each grouping is sewn into its own little pocket within the weighted blanket you’re making. This DIY weighted blanket could be layered on top of a single sheet in the summer to keep cool but still get the feeling of pressure or it could be layered on top of warmer blankets in the winter. I get the most comfortable when layering a heavy blanket just over my feet and legs, but not past the hips if I’m already using a lot of blankets for warmth. When my upper body is just under the warm covers and not the heavy ones I don’t feel smothered. I think this kind of DIY blanket would be nice for over the legs like that too, even if it’s just in that area during the summer while laying under a full sheet. I can imagine washing the gravel before putting it in between the two sheets and then washing the whole DIY blanket in the washer once you finish making it. I might make one for my mom now that I think about it. And because it would be so cheap to make you could probably make blankets with different weights to see which one works best for you or for your needs as the weather changes and you use more or less blankets. 5lb, 10lb, 15 lb, and 30 lb would be great test weights.

[@DiscoChixify]

I saw another comment further down about a person enjoying the weight of a coin on their forehead. Maybe evenly spaced pennies, nickels, dimes, or quarters would be a good idea too. Like one coin per pocket, all coins in the blanket of the same type, sewn in place with stitching in a circle around the coin so it doesn’t move around. Then you’d have like a piggy bank style savings for hard times. I hear copper is great at relieving pain, but I think it only works if it’s in direct contact with your skin, and you wouldn’t be able to wash the DIY blanket really or the coins would rust. But no risk of dust from gravel grinding against gravel. And it would be flatter instead of lumpy. Alternatively, bulk buttons in either wood or plastic might work. Those glass drops or decorative glass pebbles from the 99c or dollar store are flat on one side & smooth & durable, & fairly heavy so you probably wouldn’t have to buy a lot of them. Rounded river pebbles would probably work too if you weighed them to make sure they were all the same weight & a big bag of those from a hardware store is pretty cheap. Again, you’d have to wash them really well before using them & sew them into individual pockets so there’s less chance of them knocking against each other & breaking down to create dust that could be harmful if breathed in while you’re sleeping. You’d have to pick iron free stones so they don’t rust as easy but basic quartz stones would work fine & you could pop it in the dryer & the little pebbles would retain heat really well.

[@ImTheDudeMan471]

I can't stand heavy blankets. Extreme claustrophobic feeling. I actually had to make a D.I.Y. ultralight backpacking quilt w 900 down. About 12oz. total weight for the entire quilt (Argon fabric 0.67oz sq/yd & 6oz down). Am I the weird one?

[@suewoo5]

Nope it's just your preference😎. Some babies love to be swaddled some like their limbs free

[@mario12359]

@@suewoo5 its 100% a product you have to try for yourself in order to know the effects you can't just say oh i like or dislike hugs before you actually receive 1 same way sleeping with and without a weighted blanket would actually help u sleep or reduce anxiety while u do has to make a bit of a money plunge trying it out is the only real way u can know if it works if you slept with it and you don't like it or ya claustrophobic that is your preference so that means they do not work for you but that does NOT MEAN it won't work for someone else.

[@ChasoGod]

I think it has to do with the fact the blankets kinda restricts you. The weight applies pressure onto your chest, back, and limbs which gives us a relaxing feeling. Like with being swaddled, the restriction makes us feel safe and secure which lowers our heart rates allowing us to relax and fall asleep better.

[@krrowthemyuii]

I have anxiety and use a weighted blanket. It feels weird when I don't use it now. It's like something is missing and it's kind of scary like I'm going to float off into the darkness. Well, the weight is missing obviously, but I think it's probably comforting to people because it's like being hugged and makes them feel grounded (the deep-pressure thing). Couldn't scientists somehow measure hormones like oxytocin to see if that increases or if adrenaline or cortisol levels, etc. decreases? I'm not sure *how* they would measure those things, but if they do they might find something interesting. Of course, like you said, they still wouldn't be able to see if it's the placebo effect or not, but they might be able to see *what* is changing in the body to create the relaxed effect. Besides, would it matter if it's a placebo or not? Isn't that a bit like saying, "What if the effects of hugs are a placebo?" ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I mean, sure it costs money, but so can another human. Also, it is hard for some people to find someone who wants to hug them (especially through the entire night). Then there are some people who don't like hugs from other people but still like weighted blankets and/or "hug vests."

[@castironchaos]

Placebo study: what if they wait until the subject falls asleep, and then either add a weighted blanket or not?

[@IiIjohn]

Yea let's add 15lbs on a person sleeping randomly and they stay asleep

[@theblueshadow3537]

When the dentist put the lead bib on me for Xrays it feels soothing

[@Jennevere11]

I've never slept better since I got my weighted blanket. There's something about the blanket's heaviness that's just makes me feel relaxed and secure. My mom is a special needs teacher, and many of her kids have weighted vests that calm them down when they have an episode.

[@beardpapa12]

I've always preferred more blankets to less and am glad that I can use a weighted blanket during hotter days so I still get the same pressure.

[@mn-ru4li]

I'm 53kg and have a 7kg blanket. So far, for the week, it's helped with sleep. I have delayed phase sleep disorder; not anxiety. As for the placebo effect - all other treatments suggested by doctors and specialists have failed. Finally, I got mine REALLY cheap.

[@apertioopening3425]

I just tried one last night. I tossed and turned less, and when I woke up I felt super refreshed! Placebo or not, this thing works! 💪🏻😁

[@Submersed24]

I can tell weighted blankets work because just about every single person who used them have said they work. Usually you get like 10% it doesn't do much for, but literally every person said it worked

[@mousysaint9143]

It definitely isn't a placebo effect. I have both PDD-NOS (atypical autism) and an anxiety disorder (nyctophobia, fear of the dark). I literally cannot sleep without a thick king sized duvet surrounding me like I'm in a cacoon. I never really thought much of it until I watched this video. Weighted blankets seem like they would help me a lot in summer.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

That doesn't mean it's not a placebo effect.

[@amiablehacker]

They did a video on the placebo effect. Calling it a placebo effect doesn't invalidate the result for the individual, it just means our brains are powerful. If I remember correctly, in the video they stated that if something works for you, even if it's a placebo effect, that's fine!

[@mamsmith83]

Because it works for you doesn't automatically mean it is or is not a placebo. But the placebo effect is not inherently a bad thing. Even with medications like blood pressure pills people who get the placebo will have reduced blood pressure. Our brains are really weird and awesome. If it works it works, I made blankets for my youngest 2 and they sincerely helped the youngest sleep. She loves it and stays in her bed a lot easier so I love it too lol 🙂. I'm actually going to make ones for my sister and myself.

[@FlubberGamer]

Could you do a study where people were told that their sleep was being studied and you take two groups of people who either don’t know or aren’t told about this and give one weighted blankets and one normal and see the average sleep scores or however you measure it, I’m sure you could do it but I’m not sure how “scientifically valid” it’d be considered then

[@Mr.Deko86]

I just got one for Father's day (happy Father's day to those that are reading this comment. Anyways, I think it's the feeling of being held, or hugged as mentioned that brings about relaxation. I don't know if it's me, but this blanket works great.

[@sparkplugpeggy4910]

i used to kick and thrash in my sleep. I'd find my pillows on the floor at the foot and both sides of my bed every morning. my sheets and comforter would be in twisted jumbled heap. the weighted blanket put the skids on all that movement. i pretty much wake up in the same position i went to sleep in. and totally refreshed

[@DeviantDespot]

Isn't this the equivalent of being tucked into bed? When the blankets are tucked under the mattress and you are constrained in the fabric?

[@SnazzBot]

Now I know where John's secret Santa got the idea.

[@MrsInAbox]

Helps my proprioception to have heavy covers even just sitting on a couch, and they help me stabilise my joints during the night. Saving up for a weighted blanket, but my pile of doonas and blankets will do for now!

[@oliverwilson11]

Some people just like them Sometimes things are just supposed to provide a good subjective experience. Not every consumer product has to be a medical intervention

[@sspsp6545]

I love my weighted blanket. I’m not thinking “oh, this weighted blanket is going to make me feel more relaxed and less anxious”. It just makes me feel more relaxed and less anxious. I feel like when I put that weighted blanket on I feel like I’m ready to go to sleep. My fiancé hates it though, so I had to switch to a single person weighted blanket.

[@equesdeventusoccasus]

When I was a child, I had a quilt that had been handmade and was the heaviest blanket I had ever seen. I am not sure how much it weighed, but it was the best blanket I have ever owned.

[@theVERYCONFUSEDgirl]

I've done this for years with 6 comforters to achieve the same effect and finally achieved it with weighted blanket and were able to put up 5 comforters.

[@IchStrickeGerne]

I really appreciate my weighted blanket. It was bought for me as a gift and it’s helped me get to sleep more quickly and also seems to help my severe RLS (I get it to the point where it makes my lower back cramp up).

[@BThings]

I have Sensory Processing Disorder, and I use a weighted blanket when I'm freaking out and stuff. I like it because I have trouble sometimes with "feeling" where I end and the rest of the universe begins, so the weighted blanket helps to give me that additional feedback. It also feels kind-of like a hug, I guess, so there's that. I first realized I liked the sensation because they put that big lead apron on you when they X-Ray your teeth at the dentist, and I always felt really good and calm when that happened, and this was before I'd heard anything about weighted blankets being helpful. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I think they are pretty expensive, but my mom made mine, which helped keep it economical (and my mom's super cool and awesome like that), so if you want/need to save money, there are ways to make it yourself.

[@BThings]

Ad Astra Quite possibly! SPD is often a symptom/manifestation of autism, but it can also be its own thing. (I fall into the latter case.) As the name suggests, it is thought to be a result of some kind of “breakdown” in how sensory information is being processed in the brain-as opposed to a physical problem with how your sensory organs receive sensory input. This can lead you to be over-/under-sensitive to sensory experiences, or for them to just feel kinda weird, and it also can affect motor activities, like coordination or even volume control when speaking, since motor actions are highly dependent upon the sensory feedback we receive and our ability to modulate accordingly. I often describe SPD as being that my brain allows for a wider “margin of error” in processing than is typical. It’s not super widely known, so it isn’t surprising if you’re older and weren’t identified. (I was lucky and got identified when I was 8, so I got help with occupational therapy and some coping/workaround strategies, but it isn’t “cured,” obviously.) I find it rather fascinating, and it’s a big part of the reason why I’m studying neuroscience in school. If you want to learn more, some helpful resources are _The Out-of-Sync Child_ and _The Out-of-Sync Child Grows Up,_ both by Carol Kranowitz!

[@BThings]

Miaou Actually, that’s the funny thing: I really like thrill rides. I think it’s because it overloads my system by having a lot of stimulation from a specific source, so I don’t feel as overwhelmed by all the little sensory stuff. It’s not uncommon with SPD, either. I don’t do great in crowds, though-probably worse than is typical-but I doubt anyone really likes _that_ part of theme-parks...

[@buddyclem7328]

Thanks for the information! I probably have this too, but doctors evidently knew nothing about it in the 1970s. Edit: I looked it up on Wikipedia and it sounds like me for sure! Thanks again.

[@hopehill4427]

I used to pile multiple blankets on top of myself as a child and the minute I heard that weighted blankets helped with panic attacks I knew I wanted one. Finding out about them reminded me how much I've always enjoyed being under heavy blankets. I've tried using an electric blanket before but still prefer to use multiple blankets instead. The weight helps me sleep better. I'm not sure if it's due to Autism, Insomnia, PTSD or Placebo but i'll take it. I currently have 2 weighted blankets 1 that's 15 pounds and a 10 pound blanket I travel with. The 15 pound one is amazing and as long as it's cold enough I will still have an additional 5 or 6 blankets on my bed so the actual weight is higher. The best sleep I ever got was when I used both blankets at once for a total of 25 pounds plus my other blankets.

[@byerenny]

A weighted blanket, a body pillow and a black screen white noise YT video of your choice. Welcome to next level.

[@erikziak1249]

How about the hardness of the bed? I have bought the most stiff mattress which I could find to get a good sleep. Sometimes when I sleep in hotels, I have problems falling asleep, I hate soft mattresses, also my back is not that good the next morning. And I hate 99% of pillows. I never found a good pillow in any hotel. That is why I use a second comforter which I wrinkle up below my head. Lucky for me, most hotels provide a second comforter by standard. At home I use big old goose feathers pillow which retain the shape I "hammer" them into. I really hate any synthetic material for any pillow. Feels simply wrong, irritating, unpleasant...

[@ROBOMAN9110]

I got me a goose down pillow and it's actually the best

[@starcherry6814]

I’ve never heard of a weighted blanket before!

[@KingIanJ2]

My wife has a weighted blanket business. Makes and sells custom ones

[@MangaBottle]

I'm Austistic, and I SWEAR by my weighted blanket.

[@orangutansoda]

i have asd too and i was lookin to see if these would help when i need to hide

[@skullembzxm2210]

My girlfriend loves her blanket she Doesn't even share with me anymore 😂 They are worth the $ though.

[@Ford_prefect_42]

I really don't think it's placebo. Before weighted blankets were a thing, those lead vests at the dentist were my favorite things. I loved how heavy they were and they calmed me down. I frequently talked about getting a blanket made of that material. I didn't know it was supposed to help. Weighted blankets didn't really exist or at least weren't popular or advertised for anxiety at that time. All i knew was that being squished a bit felt really comforting

[@willowr3614]

Diagnosed with autism earlier this year. Since then I wear an 8 lb weighted vest around me when I'm around others. I keep a 10 lb blanket in my car for if I'm over stimulated while doing everyday normal things. I sleep with it 22 lb blanket. I love it.

[@kittimcconnell2633]

All mammals everywhere: And now we shall snuggle to feel better. Americans: WhY dO sNuGgLe FeEl GoOd?!?

[@Firegen1]

Not just Americans. I want to invest in one and there are rarer in Europe.

[@skullembzxm2210]

I got my Girlfriend one she absolutely loves it. She sleeps so we'll Guess I'm not her Personal blanket anymore 😂

[@BakedPhoria]

Why is this in my recommended as soon as I bought a weighted blanket?

[@radhiadeedou8286]

You know why

[@dude988]

because YT is owned by Google and your phone is listening to what you are saying. Try talking about sone random thing, you might even get an email with recommendations from amazone for the exact thing.

[@LindaGailLamb.0808]

Big Brother is watching us...

[@DembaiVT]

Your phone listens to you. It's been proven many times.

[@A_Bag_of_Potatoes]

Same, but then again that's the type of world we live it. Also this blanket is a godsend.

[@lordgarion514]

"they don't work for others and scientists don't know why." So, just like with actual medicines used to treat the same conditions. But the blankets are a chemical free way for a lot of people to feel better. It's a good thing that some can be helped without drugs.

[@austenhead5303]

They should check whether there's any correlation with swaddling in infancy.

[@TobyW4nKenobi]

With «drugs» do you mean melatonin? If so, melatonin is nowhere near a drug

[@jacobmccready6528]

I imagine they feel a lot like being tucked in like you're a kid and your parents are telling you goodnight. I always liked the feeling when the blankets were a little movement constricting.

[@Itisheylel]

When I was a kid, I used to put pillows on top of me. I want something heavy on top of me or around me and It helped me sleep during some tough nights. I didnt know there’s a reason for that habit 😲

[@annahilation]

My favorite blanket was always the heaviest one, I never knew about it being a treatment, so at least for me it wasn't placebo.

[@Sorkabeth]

I *love* my weighted blanket! I got it from my sister who said she had a claustrophobic panic attack trying to sleep under it the first night and would *definitely* not be using it again.

[@trinomial-nomenclature]

Awe, that's really unfortunate for your sister, I couldn't imagine having that experience with the blanket.....how terrifying.

[@Sorkabeth]

@@trinomial-nomenclature she's got a down comforter now that she loves. She says it's like sleeping under a cloud. I find the down comforter to be kind of lumpy, bulkier but lighter, and not nearly as comfortable as the weighted blanket. So we both found our favorite blanket :)

[@trinomial-nomenclature]

@@Sorkabeth that's great! She found something she loves (basically the opposite of a weighted blanket ha ha ha) and you received something you love. So in the end, I guess it all worked out 🙂.

[@A_Bag_of_Potatoes]

Huh I wonder what aspect of the weighted blanket caused the attack? Was it a primarily mental or physical reaction. I mean me personally I had to get accustomed to the sensation through multiple trials before attempting to sleep with it on.

[@Sorkabeth]

@@A_Bag_of_Potatoes she said she felt trapped, pinned to the bed, then it got hard to breathe.

[@jomiar309]

My children all have sensory processing disorder to some degree, and one has high social anxiety. We were able to score some weighted blankets for them, and when we gave it to them, we asked them how it made them feel. All we told them was that it was a therapy tool, but not what it was meant to do. They both reported feeling calm and relaxed, and have since noted that it helps them come down from overactive emotions. So, it worked for them! We don't really let them sleep with them, but when they get a little older we may try it--the older one has some serious insomnia! Oh, and we do about 10% of their weight.

[@ebisk]

This is so crazy to me... Ever since I switched to using a feather down quilt, I feel like my quality of sleep improved substantially. The amount of warmth you get without the weight is the best in my opinion. Every time I have to use a heavier quilt when I'm out, it's just so heavy that I can't sleep.

[@dothedo3667]

The closest control for a study would be telling people who haven't already heard of this that a weighted blanket makes you more stressed or angry or restless and that's what you're trying to test. It still wouldn't be perfect but it could give a broad idea of how much is placebo and how much is physiological.