Results of a study published in the Journal of the Formosan Medical Association, showed that participants undergoing wisdom tooth removal (which researchers identified as one of the most stressful medical procedures) who wore weighted blankets during the procedure had more activity in the part of the nervous system that is in control during times of low stress. These hormones help with motivation, impulse control, attention, memory, social behavior, sleep, and digestion. In tandem with this change comes a release of dopamine and serotonin, the feel-good neurotransmitters of the brain. Your body produces endorphins, which are the “happy” hormones that make you feel amazing after a good run.Īs deep pressure is applied to the body, the parasympathetic nervous system comes online, calming you and bringing a sense of well-being. This is the so-called switch from ‘fight or flight’ to ‘rest and digest.’ When the parasympathetic nervous system takes over, your heart rate slows, muscles relax, and circulation improves. Research shows that deep pressure therapy (DPT)-the principle that weighted blankets are designed around-stimulates a cycle of reducing cortisol (the stress hormone) increasing the production of serotonin (the neurotransmitter that affects mood, digestion and sleep) and eventually melatonin (which is called the sleep hormone).Īccording to Applied Behavior Analysis Edu.org-an independent online resource for applied behavior analysts, “When you apply deep pressure to the body, the body switches from running its sympathetic nervous system to its parasympathetic nervous system. And it’s this feeling that helps to calm the mind and body and promotes deeper sleep. It’s why so many people actually enjoy the lead vest as the dentist. This neurotransmitter creates a feeling of well-being and happiness. When people (especially those with feelings of anxiety) get under a weighted blanket, the chemical called serotonin is released in the body. The feeling of being hugged is pleasant to everybody, not just those with special needs. This helped them to stop fidgeting and to relax. Known as Proprioceptive Input, the weight of the blanket helped send a signal to their brain letting them know that they could now feel their bodies when under the heavy blanket. Soft flannel knitted blanket made of ultrathin cotton and bean shape, suitable for skin and comfortable to use. This movement helped them to “feel” their body, but it was also disruptive and a detriment to learning and socializing. These children often could not feel their own bodies in space, which caused them to be constantly on the move. Many of her students were Autistic and/or had Sensory Processing Disorder. This “compression” has a naturally calming effect, and is why our special needs teacher would often tightly hug her students to calm them down. Come along to our New & Improved bigger and better store, now over two floors Golden tickets, giveaways, balloons & much more. KZ: The weight of the blanket on the body creates a physiological reaction, similar to when a newborn baby is swaddled. How does it help you sleep, physically and emotionally?
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