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The Science Behind Weighted Blankets: What They Are And How They Work

Are you or your child suffering from autism, anxiety complexes or sensory processing disorders? You have tried many options that have not delivered a solution yet? Well, science has revealed that weighted blankets have the potential of helping with all these conditions and their related symptoms. Designed to work the same way deep touch pressure therapy works, weighted blankets have proved to be a great solution when it comes to easing the problems of anxiety, increasing oxytocin and those people with sensory processing disorders to have a better feeling.

What does scientific research say about these therapeutic blankets? Have you been wondering whether weighted blankets work? This post explains how they work and some of the health benefits that come with it.

What Is a Weighted Blanket?

A weighted blanket is similar to an ordinary blanket in many respects except that it is considered a medical equipment. These blankets come in a variety of colors, sizes, patterns and prints. You can also get a custom-made blanket made from materials of your choice. These blankets are filled with hypoallergenic, which are primarily non-toxic polypropylene pellets. These pellets are put into small pockets arranged in an even manner. These pellets are what determines the weight of the blankets. Generally, the blankets are such that they are 10 percent of the user’s body weight. The other difference is that they are sized to fit the body weight and not the size of the bed.

How Weighted Blankets Work

The mechanism of weighted blankets borrows from the therapy tool designed by Temple Grandin. These blankets combine the soothing, calming comfort of the ordinary blankets with the therapeutic effects to provide a calming effect. Using the squeezing mechanism that produces a calming effect, science has shown that these weighted blankets have a far-reaching implication on causing comfort. They work the same way hugging makes one feel—it helps to stimulate the release of oxytocin, a chemical in the brain that is present in the brain.

Why Are Weighted Blankets Said to Be Effective in Helping People with Autism and Sensory Processing Disorder?

What is the science behind weighted blankets? Literature is replete with evidence of the benefits of hugging. Oxytocin, a hormone that is largely responsible for happiness, is triggered when the body is subjected to the calming effect of the blankets. The increased production of oxytocin helps to ensure happiness, thus improving his or her wellness and quality of life. Science behind weighted blankets has shown that deep touch therapy has the potential of enhancing the production of oxytocin, especially in people suffering from autism, anxiety, and sensory processing disorders.

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