Posted on 10/03/2022 7:43:35 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
A new study shows that using a weighted blanket at bedtime increases melatonin in young adults. This hormone increases in response to darkness, and some evidence suggests that it promotes sleep.
Previous research has shown that weighted blankets may ease insomnia in humans. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Hence, researchers from Uppsala University in Sweden experimented with 26 young men and women to examine if the bedtime use of a weighted blanket increases the production of sleep-promoting and anti-stress hormones like melatonin and oxytocin. In addition, they investigated whether the bedtime use of a weighted blanket (12% of participants' body weight) reduced the activity of stress systems in the body. To this end, saliva was collected repeatedly from participants while they were covered with either a weighted or a light blanket to measure melatonin, oxytocin, cortisol, and the activity of the fight and flight sympathetic nervous system.
"Using a weighted blanket increased melatonin concentrations in saliva by about 30%. However, no differences in oxytocin, cortisol, and the activity of the sympathetic nervous system were observed between the weighted and light blanket conditions," says Elisa Meth, first author.
"Our study may offer a mechanism explaining why weighted blankets may exert some therapeutic benefits, such as improved sleep. However, our findings rely on a small sample and investigated only the acute effects of a weighted blanket. Thus, larger trials are needed, including an investigation of whether the observed effects of a weighted blanket on melatonin are sustained over longer periods," says senior author Christian Benedict.
(Excerpt) Read more at medicalxpress.com ...
Yes, my cat. A dead weight that WILL NOT be moved. I have to move...
LOL, so true.
I wouldn’t use a weighted blanket on a baby
No. A lightweight one might be helpful for an anxious pet, though.
The thunder shirts. It all reminds me of Temple Grandin’s work with livestock ‘squeeze chutes’. They calm the animals down prior to slaughter, among other uses.
https://thesensorytoolbox.com/temple-grandins-squeeze-machine/
Another great example!
Try 4 cats. Surprising how heavy they get.
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