Weighted Blankets:
What they are:
Blankets stuffed with added weight, typically in the form of small beads, have long served as a therapeutic intervention for people in psychiatric care, and for kids with autism.

They come in 15-25 lb weights.
They typically sell for between $150 and $300.

The hype:
Weighted blankets are engineered to be 7-12% of your body weight to relax the nervous system by simulating the feeling of being held or hugged. This increases serotonin and melatonin (Some say dopamine also) levels and decreases cortisol levels--improving your mood and promoting restful sleep at the same time.

Some research suggests that slow and gentle touch can stimulate portions of the limbic system, the brain's network for processing emotion and fear.

The blankets have a long history of use in a type of occupational therapy called sensory integration therapy. This treatment is sometimes used to help people with autism or other disorders to focus on sensory experiences, which experts say may boost these individuals' ability to regulate their emotions and behavior.

A 2008 study in the journal "Occupational Therapy in Mental Health", researchers asked 33 adults to rest under 30-lb. (13.6 kg) blankets for 5 minutes. They found that 33 percent showed a greater drop in skin conductance -- a measure of arousal that is based on miniscule differences in the amount of sweat on the skin
57% said they felt more relaxed.

I personally feel more secure and feel I sleep better under a 6 lb (queen size) quilt than just a blanket.
Of course you can't use a quilt in the middle of summer.

Links:
SensaCalm was most comfortable in Wirecutter tests.
Gravity was the original.

Weighted Blankets: Harmless for Adults, Potentially Dangerous for Kids | Live Science
Do Weighted Blankets for Adults Live Up to the Hype?: Reviews by Wirecutter | A New York Times Company

last updated 10 Oct 2018