Weighted Blankets can Induce Melatonin for Sleep in People with Autism

<h1>Weighted Blankets can Induce Melatonin for Sleep in People with Autism</h1>Author: <a title="Eileen Parker" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/eileen-parker/133258.htm">Eileen Parker</a> <a href="http://www.cozycalm.com" target="_self" title="Cozy Calm Weighted Blankets"><img src="http://www.cozycalm.com/v/vspfiles/assets/images/cozy calm weighted blanket small.jpg" alt="Cozy Calm Weighted Blanket" /></a>Children and adults with autism benefit from weighted blankets because they calm the nervous system so they can relax and sleep. Melatonin is the chemical in the brain that helps us sleep. The science of how a weighted blanket leads to melatonin lies in the body and brain’s sensory processing. People on the autism spectrum often have <a href="http://www.eileenparker.com/?p=10" target="_blank" title="What is Sensory Processing Disorder?">Sensory Processing Disorder</a> (a.k.a. Sensory Integration Dysfunction). Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder involving smell, hearing, pain, body position, taste, visual, temperature, and the body’s position and movement. In short, the brain receives all this stimuli but can’t make sense of it so it can react normally. One type of sensory stimulation, rather calming, is proprioceptive input, which is pressure on the muscles and joints. Proprioceptive input sends signals to the brain that cause serotonin to be released, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that makes people feel happy. A lack of serotonin being used properly by the brain is one of the causes of depression. Further down the path we get to melatonin. Some parents give their children melatonin pills to help them fall asleep. But, an increase in serotonin causes natural melatonin to be released in the brain. This is where the link happens: weighted blankets cause the serotonin to be released, which is calming, which in turn causes melatonin to be produced, which causes a feeling of sleepiness. So, a weighted blanket helps people with autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD, ADHD, and ADD will help them fall asleep and stay asleep.About the Author: Eileen Parker has autism and sensory processing disorder so she knows first-hand how her weighted blanket gives her a happy and restful sleep. Find her weighted blankets at <a href="http://www.CozyCalm.com"><a href="http://www.CozyCalm.com" target="_blank">www.CozyCalm.com</a></a>
Read her blog at <a href="http://www.eileenparker.com"><a href="http://www.EileenParker.com" target="_blank">www.EileenParker.com</a></a>Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-articles/weighted-blankets-can-induce-melatonin-for-sleep-in-people-with-autism-826097.html" title="Weighted Blankets can Induce Melatonin for Sleep in People with Autism">Weighted Blankets can Induce Melatonin for Sleep in People with Autism</a>

Children and adults with autism benefit from weighted blankets because they calm the nervous system so they can relax and sleep. Melatonin is the chemical in the brain that helps us sleep. The science of how a weighted blanket leads to melatonin lies in the body and brain’s sensory processing.

People on the autism spectrum often have Sensory Processing Disorder (a.k.a. Sensory Integration Dysfunction). Sensory Processing Disorder is a neurological disorder involving smell, hearing, pain, body position, taste, visual, temperature, and the body’s position and movement. In short, the brain receives all this stimuli but can’t make sense of it so it can react normally.

One type of sensory stimulation, rather calming, is proprioceptive input, which is pressure on the muscles and joints. Proprioceptive input sends signals to the brain that cause serotonin to be released, which is the neurotransmitter in the brain that makes people feel happy. A lack of serotonin being used properly by the brain is one of the causes of depression.

Further down the path we get to melatonin. Some parents give their children melatonin pills to help them fall asleep. But, an increase in serotonin causes natural melatonin to be released in the brain.

This is where the link happens: weighted blankets cause the serotonin to be released, which is calming, which in turn causes melatonin to be produced, which causes a feeling of sleepiness.
So, a weighted blanket helps people with autism, Asperger Syndrome, PDD, ADHD, and ADD will help them fall asleep and stay asleep.

Eileen Parker has autism and sensory processing disorder so she knows first-hand how her weighted blanket gives her a happy and restful sleep. Find her weighted blankets at www.CozyCalm.com Read her blog at www.EileenParker.com

Rate this Article:

1 / 5 stars - 1 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/sleep-articles/weighted-blankets-can-induce-melatonin-for-sleep-in-people-with-autism-826097.html

Article Tags: Calm, Melatonin, Sleep, Sensory, Autism, Add, Adhd, Asperger, Cozy, Seratonin, Sensory Processing, Weighted Blanket, Weighted Blankets, Cozy Calm

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

How to Cure Snoring and Sleep Apnea

Play

The Facts About Sleep

Play

Security Blankets for Kids - Linus or Not?

Play

How to Set a Healthy Sleep Schedule for Kids

Play

How to Deal with Sleep Apnea

Latest Sleep Articles
More from Eileen Parker

How Do I Stop Snoring When I Sleep On My Side – Natural Cure Snoring

By: Glenn Kneeland | 24/12/2009
How do I stop snoring when I sleep on my side? Many people who suffer from this problem are interested to look for a natural cure for snoring, and one of the most widely discussed methods is to sleep on the side. Different people will have different reasons for snoring.

Loud Snoring

By: TerryG | 24/12/2009
Loud snoring is often a curse in any relationship as it leads to one partner who has a bad nights sleep. We all know that no sleep equals a bad temper and there is little sympathy for the partner who snores.

Organic Pillow Buying Guide Series: Choosing the best organic pillow to fit your needs

By: Shalah Beckinghart | 23/12/2009
Have you ever woken up in the morning with neck pain, back pain, or just plain pain all over? Or how about awakened to itchy runny eyes and nose? Do you have trouble breathing at night? Well, many people sleep on pillows that actually impair their health and they don't even realize it. Choosing the right pillow is crucial to a healthy restful nights sleep.

Sad Light therapy – how it relates to sleep

By: articlesalive | 22/12/2009
Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD affects almost 10 million people in the United States. On average, SAD usually affects people during the winter months or between November and March when the daylight or sun hours are substantially shorter.

Sleep Music

By: articlesalive | 22/12/2009
High quality relaxing sound CDs offer an abundant variety of sounds to help you let go of daily stresses and relax any time you desire such as at the end of the day, or to nestle in for a quality night’s rest.

Beds Mattresses

By: wragh | 21/12/2009
Choosing the right bedding mattress can be tricky. There are many different styles, designs and brands available. Luckily for you, we're hear to give you a helping hand...

Treatments For A Fast Snoring Solution

By: Ben Wood | 21/12/2009
If you're on a budget, or merely don't wish to spend money while not knowing if a product will be worth your time, free snoring treatments could be the fast snoring solution you have been waiting for. Trying different snoring treatments can vary from remedies that you can try at home to experimental sleep studies. One of the most effective free snoring treatments that you can adjust is simply an amendment in your sleeping position. Instead of sleeping on your back, that is believed to...

Family TV Watching and Autism

By: Eileen Parker | 12/05/2009 | Diseases & Conditions
You can help your child with autism lower their stress level with some simple rules about family TV watching. As a child and now an adult with autism and sensory processing disorder, I know that TV can be stressful to the point of jumping, tears, anger, confusion, and other reactions.