Total Beauty writes on the weighted blanket trend and examines the science behind this fad.

"There are limited studies providing data if weighted blankets help people fall asleep or mitigate stress," says Christine Rocchio Mueller, MS, OTR/L, C/NDT, an occupational therapist at HSS, who notes that while the research does mostly support the use, it's been focused on children with special needs.

The effectiveness may be related to deep touch pressure. "This therapeutic touch is a common modality used in occupational therapy practice. Within the literature, it's believed that deep touch pressure helps release serotonin and dopamine in the brain, this produces a calming effect by reducing excitability," says Mueller. "The change in arousal level can help an individual fall asleep or manage stress symptoms."

Mueller reminds readers to make sure the weight of the blanket doesn't impair the ability to breathe or move.

Read the full article at TotalBeauty.com.