Not everyone wants a hug when they’re heartbroken. Some people, especially those with sensory processing differences, prefer physical pressure but find human contact unpleasant or overwhelming. Animal scientist and autism advocate Temple Grandin recognized the need and built a “wringer” to help autistic and ADHD children find peace.
His invention is based on a simple premise. The idea is that the pressure of deep contact mimics the sensation of grip. This slows your heart rate and calms your nervous system. But does the same physical stress help adults without autism?
Some manufacturers also think so. Companies like ZonLi and Gravity Blankets sell blankets that weigh between 3 and 25 pounds. They claim that these products stimulate the sympathetic nervous system to induce a state of rest. Think of it as a mechanical hug that counteracts your “fight or flight” response.
But the evidence is not clear. We need to take a closer look at what these blankets are actually used for and if they can help relieve anxiety.
What are weighted blankets used for?
A Swedish study conducted in 2015 showed that weighted blankets can improve the duration and quality of sleep in insomniacs. There are caveats to this study. Funded by the blanket manufacturer. This doesn’t prove it’s a scam, but it does get your attention.
Another study of 32 adults found that 63% had reduced anxiety after using it. The theory is that deep touch and pressure lowers cortisol and increases serotonin. Serotonin helps to balance the mood. When the nervous system calms down, sleep comes.
About 25% of Americans suffer from insomnia each year. This is a huge market for sleeping pills.
Dr. Raj Dasgupta, assistant professor of clinical medicine at the University of Southern California, sees the blankets as part of a larger puzzle.
“Insomnia is extremely common. Falling asleep is like a puzzle with pieces fitting together, including light, temperature and the ‘cuddle effect’ (like a hug),” says Dasgupta.
He notes that the “hug effect” for people with attention deficit disorder (ADD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and autism is well documented. For them, stress is manageable. Dasgupta also suggested that for people with chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, stress can stimulate specific points in the body to relieve pain.
He recommends trying a blanket before taking sleeping pills. This is a low-risk intervention. But that doesn’t apply to everyone.
However, there are also disadvantages. These things are expensive. Prices range from $50 to $300. It is very heavy. This is a major safety concern as small children or pets can become trapped.
Can weighted blankets relieve anxiety?
This is the hard part. Placebo effects can play an important role.
This product makes it nearly impossible to produce objective, research-based evidence in a laboratory setting. The target cannot be blinded. You know you’re in the treatment group when you’re covered in a 15 pound blanket. The control group can be under a thin plate.
The reported calm may be psychological because the subjects were aware of what was happening.
For some people, a heavy blanket feels like a warm hug. For others, it feels like suffocation. Paying $300 for a suffocated feeling is a bad deal.
What the hell is inside this quilt? It is not a sleeping pill. Manufacturers typically use polypropylene pellets. These are small, hard plastic balls. You might find it among the stuffed animals. They give weight. They offer no magic.
So do they work? The information is true, but the information is biased. This experience is real for many people, but the mechanisms behind it are unknown. If you are anxious, weight can be helpful. If you’re claustrophobic, it’s painful. There is no middle ground.
