Weighted blanket raises pre-sleep salivary melatonin concentrations in adults | Hacker News Reader

Weighted blanket raises pre-sleep salivary melatonin concentrations in adults

onlinelibrary.wiley.com

60 pointsbookofjoe20 comments

A 50lb dog has similar effects and a bit more utility outside of bedtimes.

But you don't have to walk your blanket.

I can confirm this. Poodles work well, I have one on me now.

Minor but interesting.

> "When using a weighted blanket, the 1 hour increase of salivary melatonin from baseline (i.e., 22:00) to lights off (i.e., 23:00) was about 32% higher (p = 0.011). No other significant differences were found between the blanket conditions, including subjective sleepiness and total sleep duration."

The authors are also aware of the limited scope of their inquiry:

> "Future studies should investigate whether the stimulatory effect on melatonin secretion is observed on a nightly basis when frequently using a weighted blanket over weeks to months. It remains to be determined whether the observed increase in melatonin may be therapeutically relevant for the previously described effects of the weighted blanket on insomnia and anxiety."

I bought a weighted blanket just to test if there were any possible benefits for myself. I do prefer it, but do not need it. The same goes for a bidet. My advice? Keep testing things...

I experimented a lot with different sleep gadgets. Weighted blankets felt suffocating, especially in Summer. What really worked at the end is just 2 large pillows (20x40in) that I put on either side of me under the blanket. The most satisfying and cozy experience, improved my sleep quality.

A friend of mine tried it once when he was travelling, and he bought it when je came back home. He swears by it.

I decided to buy one after reading this article. I’m tracking my sleep quality using Apple Watch, and I am curious how it will work.

Are weighted blankets a substitute for human companionship ? What evolutionary mechanism is going on here?

wieghted blankets do nothing good for me except produce old hag syndrome-like sensations

That's frightening. Do you recall what weight the blanket was?

it felt like an xray vest, i dont recall the wieght on it, perhaps 10 lbs folded up?

I really liked how it felt but there was like a 50% chance of me getting sleep paralysis and feeling extreme terror, so my weighted blanket experiment only lasted a week.

I'm searching for a 100 pound blanket to test the sleep claim at the extremes. Hard to find though.

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