After observing that cattle were immediately calmed by the “hug box” or “squeeze machine” that farmhands use secure livestock for inoculations and other medical procedures, animal scientist and autism activist Temple Grandin invented a similar machine to help soothe children who suffer from autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. The results were striking. It turns out that deep-touch pressure, in the form of a firm hugging or cradling sensation, has a significant calming effect that can save affected children from the extreme discomfort of overstimulation.
But what about the rest of us? Can the calming influence of firm but cradling pressure help adults and young people without autism or ADHD cope with anxiety and overstimulation? Well, weighted blankets, which generally approximate the pressure of Temple Grandin’s squeeze box, have brought relief to countless individuals as they lay down to sleep.
The medical community has been employing weighted blankets as a natural stress reliever for decades, and recent studies have confirmed their effectiveness. Researchers have found that individuals who rest beneath weighted blankets experience significant reductions in stress-causing cortisol levels and significant increases in the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
A premium-grade therapeutic product, the Gravity Weighted Blanket and brings the calming and healing properties of general but firm pressure to the general public. The blanket is specifically engineered to evenly cover your body with approximately 10% of its total weight, an ideal ratio to control stress and fight conditions that range from hyperactivity and insomnia to post-traumatic stress and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Gravity Blanket can also help people who simply want a solid and satisfying night’s sleep.