Can a weighted blanket be too heavy?
Weighted blankets can provide relaxation and comfort to some sleepers, but pose potential health and safety risk to others. This is especially true for people with conditions that affect breathing because a blanket that is too heavy can restrict airflow and make breathing more difficult.
Weighted blankets can provide relaxation and comfort to some sleepers, but pose potential health and safety risk to others. This is especially true for people with conditions that affect breathing because a blanket that is too heavy can restrict airflow and make breathing more difficult.
- You feel you can't move underneath the blanket.
- You feel suffocated in it.
- You feel as if you're trapped (claustrophobia)
- You feel restless being covered in it.
- You have difficulties in breathing.
- You have a hard time sleeping in it.
- You feel that the pressure is more.
Body weight | Min. blanket weight | Max. blanket weight |
---|---|---|
220 lbs | 15 lbs | 24 lbs |
230 lbs | 16 lbs | 25 lbs |
240 lbs | 17 lbs | 26 lbs |
250 lbs | 18 lbs | 28 lbs |
One study found that you could go as heavy as 20% of your body weight, and use a 30-pound weighted blanket. It's proven to be safe.
What are the pros and cons of this trend? Pros: using a weighted blanket offers a drug-free way to help you cope with anxiety, fall asleep easier, sleep deeper, and wake up feeling restored. Cons: conventional weighted blankets can be too hot to sleep under and aren't eco-friendly.
Weighted blankets may be unsuitable for people with certain medical conditions, including chronic respiratory or circulatory issues, sleep apnea, asthma, low blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, epilepsy, and claustrophobia.
A weighted blanket is filled with glass beads that make it heavier than normal blankets. Weighted blankets weigh around 7-30 lbs because of the beads filled in them and the multiple layers of fabric they're made with.
When using a weighted blanket, it can be helpful to include cozy sheets to complete the perfect, dreamy sleep set.
Determining how heavy your weighted blanket should be is fairly easy. The general weighted blanket guidelines for adults is 10 percent of your own body weight. Usually, a weighted blanket should be between 12 to 20 pounds for adults.
What size weighted blanket for a 200 pound person?
120–150 pounds = 10lb blanket. 150–200 pounds = 15lb blanket. 200–250 pounds = 20lb blanket.
Usually, a weighted blanket between 12 to 20 pounds is ideal for adults, depending on body weight.

One downfall to the weighted blanket, however, is that it makes it super easy to fall back asleep in the mornings and even harder to get out of bed. I definitely recommend setting multiple alarms if you aren't usually one to hop right up in the morning.
The position you sleep in makes a difference when choosing a weighted blanket. Stomach sleepers, for instance, will likely find that using a weighted blanket increases the pressure on their lower spine, which can cause low back pain throughout the day.
Weighted blankets may help anxiety. While more research is needed, 2020 research reported that weighted blankets may be helpful in relieving anxiety by helping with emotional and physical regulation. In another study, 63 percent of participants reported lower levels of anxiety after using a weighted blanket.
Those with sleep apnea should likely avoid the use of weighted blankets, as they can further restrict breathing. Those with chronic respiratory or circulatory conditions should also typically avoid using weighted blankets.
If your weighted blanket is not evenly and consistently remaining in contact with as many pressure nerves as possible, your body cannot produce the oxytocin, serotonin, and dopamine needed for true relief.
As a general rule, they are safe for healthy adults, older children, and teenagers. But be sure to check with your healthcare provider if you have an underlying condition, or if you plan to use the weighted blankets in young children under age 2. That's because of the suffocation risk.
How Heavy should a weighted blanket be for a couple? The correct weighted blanket weight for a couple sharing a weighted blanket ranges from 7 to 7.5 percent of the combined body weight. This rule applies if the weight difference between both of you is not that significant.
A weighted blanket is pretty much what it sounds like: a heavy blanket. However, there is more to a weighted blanket than just being thick and heavy. The weight should be specific for the person who will be using it. Weighted blankets can weigh anywhere from five to twenty-five pounds.
References
- https://bearaby.com/blogs/the-lay-low/weighted-blanket-weight
- https://www.autosninja.com/does-tire-pressure-need-to-be-exact/
- https://www.pughstireservice.com/blog-posts/can-i-put-bigger-tires-on-my-vehicle
- https://casper.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-weighted-blanket/
- https://sundaycitizen.co/en-ca/blogs/news/weighted-blankets-for-couples-the-do-s-and-don-ts
- https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/cars/story/2020-04-05/whats-the-acceptable-range-for-over-and-under-inflation-of-tires
- https://www.frankiesfriends.org/happy-tails2/2011/03/worst-foods-for-pets-with-gas
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/downloads/canine-care/ac-aid-intestinal-parasites-in-dogs.pdf
- https://f15.bimmerpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1203951
- https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blogs/pet-wellness/5-ways-to-help-get-rid-of-dog-gas
- https://www.healthline.com/health/immediate-relief-for-trapped-gas-home-remedies-and-prevention-tips
- https://www.drive.com.au/news/ask-the-experts-front-and-rear-tyre-pressure-20110505-1e984/
- https://myquietly.com/blogs/latest/how-heavy-should-a-weighted-blanket-be
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/weighted-blankets-benefits-5086170
- https://www.baileygreer.com/dangers-driving-inflated-tires/
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/symptoms/intestinal-gas/basics/causes/sym-20050922
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pancreatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20360227
- https://wagwalking.com/treatment/antacids
- https://hugsleep.com/blogs/news/weighted-blanket-causing-pain
- https://www.lopriore.com/blog/recommended-tire-pressure-for-safe-driving/
- https://www.discounttire.com/learn/loading-overloading
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/how-to-make-diarrhea-go-away-1324506
- https://emergency-vets.com/topics/nutrition/holiday-food-pets-pancreatitis/
- https://www.cars.com/articles/how-do-i-find-the-correct-tire-pressure-for-my-car-1420676891878/
- https://mountain-valleymotors.com/tires-inflation-dot-information/
- https://www.firestonecompleteautocare.com/blog/tires/what-if-you-overinflate-car-tires/
- https://community.cartalk.com/t/proper-tire-pressure/13026
- https://www.petcarerx.com/article/is-it-safe-to-use-pepto-bismol-for-dogs/1512
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/gastritis-in-dogs
- https://www.kaltire.com/en/about-tire-pressure.html
- https://casper.com/blog/how-to-use-a-weighted-blanket/
- https://www.drivingline.com/articles/load-index-the-often-overlooked-tire-spec-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.sullivantire.com/learn/tire-classroom/tread-wear
- https://www.onlineathens.com/story/lifestyle/2017/07/14/car-talk-when-it-comes-tire-pressure-too-high-better-too-low/985438007/
- https://www.telegram.com/story/business/automotive/2016/02/21/making-sense-tire-pressure-numbers/32496495007/
- https://puffy.com/blogs/best-sleep/weighted-blanket-weight-how-to-pick-the-perfect-size
- https://www.miniofsanantonio.com/the-truth-about-over-inflating-your-tires.htm
- https://www.metlifepetinsurance.com/blog/pet-health/how-to-help-your-dog-s-upset-stomach/
- https://www.dreamcloudsleep.com/posts/how-heavy-should-a-weighted-blanket-be/
- https://bearaby.com/blogs/the-lay-low/weighted-blanket-pros-and-cons
- https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/how-does-temperature-change-affect-tire-air-pressure
- https://www.jdpower.com/cars/shopping-guides/how-low-is-too-low-for-tire-pressure
- https://drivingpress.com/is-40-psi-good-pressure/
- https://community.cartalk.com/t/uneven-tire-pressures-questions/87002
- https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/flatulence-in-dogs
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/weighted-blanket-reviews
- https://roadandgarage.com/symptoms-of-over-inflated-tires/
- https://www.thirdcoastautos.com/blog/what-is-the-water-pressure-at-a-car-wash/
- https://www.bigotires.com/resources/all-about-tires/how-does-tpms-work
- https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/pancreatitis/
- https://www.quora.com/Can-a-couple-of-PSIs-in-tires-make-a-difference
- https://www.cartalk.com/content/it-possible-burst-tire-too-much-air-pressure-find-out
- https://www.cumberlandanimalclinic.com/site/blog/2021/12/31/what-is-most-common-cause-diarrhea-dogs
- https://www.cars.com/articles/what-happens-if-my-tires-are-overinflated-449825/
- https://www.ppmc-transport.org/recommended-tire-pressure-for-my-car/
- https://www.discounttire.com/learn/tire-pressure
- https://www.kia.com/sd/en/discover-kia/ask/what-pressure-should-my-tires-be.html
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326866
- https://bridgestone-mea.com/en/discover/the-effects-of-underinflated-and-overinflated-tyres
- https://www.continental-tires.com/products/b2c/tire-knowledge/nitrogen-in-tires.html
- https://www.pirelli.com/tires/en-us/car/driving-and-tire-tips/how-to-read/recommended-tire-pressure
- https://www.quora.com/Is-38-PSI-too-much-for-tires
- https://www.everydayhealth.com/digestive-health-pictures/lets-hope-its-just-gas.aspx
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/six-foods-to-feed-your-dog-when-hes-sick/
- https://www.quora.com/Is-45-PSI-too-much
- https://www.lotuscaravans.com.au/news-events/latest-news/2020/11/what-on-road-tyre-pressures-are-right-for-you/
- https://www.souzastireservice.com/Tires-101/Air-Pressure
- https://www.quora.com/Should-all-4-tires-have-the-same-PSI-Should-the-front-and-rear-tire-pressure-be-the-same
- https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/what-is-the-right-tire-air-pressure
- https://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/9812/lowest-tire-pressure-for-a-44psi-tire
- https://bluepearlvet.com/pet-blog/colitis-in-dogs/
- https://www.ckc.ca/en/The-Dish/September-2021/Gassy-Dogs
- https://www.fallsroad.com/site/tips-resources-blog-baltimore-vet/2021/10/12/diarrhea-dogs
- https://petcube.com/blog/dog-pancreatitis/
- https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-strength-of-3-PSI-I-want-to-visualize-what-the-strength-is-Is-it-like-a-flick-A-light-push-The-amount-of-force-needed-to-switch-on-a-light
- https://www.capeable.com/blogs/blog/3-reasons-why-your-weighted-blanket-isn-t-working
- https://www.healthline.com/health/weighted-blanket-for-anxiety
- http://www.friendshipcircle.org/blog/2017/03/09/what-exactly-is-a-weighted-blanket
- https://www.pawshake.com.au/blog/why-does-my-dog-fart
- https://pinesvet.com/faqs/chronic-pancreatitis/
- https://www.telletire.com/overinflated-tires/
- https://www.weliahealth.org/2022/08/do-weighted-blankets-really-work/
- https://www.fleetowner.com/for-the-driver/on-the-road/article/21185091/tire-pressure-imbalance-why-its-a-problem
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/bedding-information/weighted-blanket-weight-chart
- https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/doggie-diarrhea/
- https://casper.com/blog/how-heavy-should-a-weighted-blanket-be/
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/tips-for-relieving-intestinal-gas-through-movement-1943039
- https://www.familyhandyman.com/article/tires-car-vibrate/
- https://www.michelin.com/en/news/low-tire-pressure-a-major-concern/
- https://www.dubizzle.com/blog/cars/disadvantages-overinflated-tyres/
- https://www.airbestpractices.com/system-assessments/piping/storage/system-assessments/piping/storage-0
- https://burtbrothers.com/tips/how-temperature-affects-tire-inflation/
- https://www.corwheels.com/tire-pressure-in-hot-weather/
- https://theeverygirl.com/weighted-blanket-review/
- https://www.k9ofmine.com/best-dog-foods-for-dogs-with-gas/
- https://www.nonda.co/blogs/news/6-things-you-need-to-know-about-tire-pressure
- https://www.mattressadvisor.com/your-weighted-blanket-weigh/
- https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/health/does-your-dog-have-gas/
- https://www.tirerack.com/upgrade-garage/what-is-maximum-load-for-a-tire
- https://www.myalexandertoyota.com/blog/should-i-over-or-under-inflate-my-tires-in-the-summer/
- https://www.verifythis.com/article/news/verify/money-verify/tire-pressure-inflation-gas-mileage-increase-fact-check/536-b682f751-9cd9-4afa-a6c6-72c4dc1129ae