#88 - Weighted Blankets: Pushing Down On Me, Pressing Down On You

Weighted blankets have soared in popularity over the past decade and they often promise better sleep. What exactly dose the evidence say and for what practical purposes can these products be useful? In this episode, we will:Review the nervous system pathways for perceiving touch and pressureDescribe how pressure has a calming effect on the body via parasympathetic system activationExplore the origins of more widespread weighted blanket use in the autism and sensory integration communitiesWeigh the available research concerning weighted blankets and sleep/insomniaDiscuss theories on why weighted blankets might exert their effectsTouch upon other conditions that weighted blankets might help treatProduced by: Maeve WinterMusic by: Dr. Abhinav Singh (@sleep_vigilante), all rights reservedMoreTwitter: @drchriswinterIG: @drchriwinterThreads: @drchriswinterBluesky: @drchriswinterThe Sleep Solution and The Rested ChildThanks for listening and sleep well!