Weighted blankets help people sleep better: This was an unexpected discovery.

In the late 1990s, an occupational therapist named Tina Champagne used weighted blankets to help patients "self-nurture, increase coping skills, increase reality orientation, and actively engage in self-care."

At that time, deep pressure therapy was focused on children with autism or pervasive developmental disabilities. Ms. Champagne's research at UMass Amherst and Cooley Dickinson Hospital focused on how adults would respond to a weighted blanket. Many used it as a sleep aid.

Since then, studies like "Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Insomnia" have demonstrated that weighted blankets can help patients fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer and awake more refreshed.

The Gravity Blanket capitalized on this research, raising nearly $5 million on Kickstarter and making weighted blankets one of the most popular products on social media. Now, they're mainstream.

Are Weighted Blankets Safe? Healthy adults can safely use a weighted blanket, according to clinical research. The vital signs of 32 adults (with body weights between 112-234 pounds) remained in a safe range while participants were beneath a 30 pound blanket. A second study confirmed these findings among a 30 person group. Those who are pregnant, asthmatic or suffer from respiratory problems like obstructive sleep apnea should speak with a physician before using a weighted blanket. Neither the American Academy of Pediatrics nor the American Academy of Family Physicians offer weighted blanket guidelines: Always consult a doctor before buying a weighted blanket for a child.

How Heavy Should a Weighted Blanket Be?

For a healthy adult, a blanket’s weight is a matter of preference, not a simple formula or ratio. Choosing a blanket that’s "10% of body weight" is merely a rule of thumb, not a clinical recommendation.

This article focuses on 60-by-80-inch weighted blankets that weigh between 15-20 pounds.

How Much Does a Good Weighted Blanket Cost? A good weighted blanket (with verified, above-average reviews) costs approximately $67, according to a 12-month analysis of price trends. Those same blankets cost around $49 while on sale: an average discount of 27%. A well-reviewed weighted blanket that’s made in the USA will cost approximately twice as much as many of the bestselling weighted blankets (which are often made in China).

Here are the best inexpensive queen-sized weighted blankets for the money: