Weighted Blankets: Do Weighted Blankets Really Help You Sleep?

Some people say that covering their body with a weighted blanket at night helps them sleep better. In recent years, ‘weighted blankets’ have become quite popular. Made of glass beads or other heavy materials, these blankets give the body a feeling of being wrapped. For some people, it may feel like a gentle hug or a gentle massage. But the question is, do they really improve the quality of sleep?

Do sleep hormone levels increase?

In a small study conducted in 2023 at a sleep lab in Sweden, 26 healthy young men were asked to use a normal blanket one night and a blanket that weighed about 12 percent of their body weight the next night. Use of heavy blankets was found to increase melatonin levels by an average of 32 percent, a hormone that aids sleep.

But this does not mean that they slept for a long time. Since this study was only for one night, it is not clear whether this effect will persist with long-term use.

Does it have any benefit for people with sleep problems?

Another study published in 2024 followed 95 adults with insomnia for a month. Some were given blankets weighing 5.5 kg and others blankets weighing 3.5 kg. Those who used heavy blankets had less frequent sleep disturbances at night.

Although improvements in sleep problems were seen in both groups at the end of the study, those using the weighted blanket reported greater improvement in sleep. They also reported reductions in fatigue, anxiety, stress, and pain.

It doesn’t affect everyone the same

Another study found that using weighted blankets on children with autism did not significantly improve their ability to fall asleep faster, wake up less often, or stay asleep longer. However, both kids and their parents loved the weighted blanket. Another study conducted on adults suffering from chronic pain also found no reduction in pain intensity.

So, can weighted blankets be used?

These studies suggest that weighted blankets may benefit some people in terms of comfort and sleep quality. However, there is not enough evidence to say that it is a surefire solution to insomnia. Its effect may vary from person to person. Therefore, it is important to consider its weight, size, and comfort before purchasing.