Is There Actually Science Behind the Weighted Blanket Trend?

"I cannot really imagine sleeping without it," says Stephanie Cain, who lives in New York City. "The weight makes it feel like you're being hugged. It's similar to why yoga teachers tell you to lay a blanket or block across your stomach during Savasana. There's a grounding effect that inherently helps you feel less panicked and anxious. I'm not sure if it's just a placebo affect, but I can say with confidence that I feel more rested when I wake up since I've been using it. I find that it's easier to fall asleep and that I sleep better throughout the night."

Another responder to my query noted: "Like everything else, they're a coping strategy. I was introduced to them through my brother when he was seven or so. He's on the spectrum and found a lot of relief in regular, daily use of the blanket. I incorporated it into my own life for coping with stress and anxiety, and it worked there too."

On the flip side, others commented that they didn't notice they were sleeping any longer, that they were suffering because of the heat caused by the added weight ("I ended up waking up in the middle of the night trying to get it off of me as quickly as possible!"), and many others simply can't wrap their head around spending triple digits on a blanket. "Weighted blanket: use regular blanket. Call cats into bed. Now it's weighted."

Image via @tryrocabi