The Odyssey Blanket, and other weighted blankets for humans, have been on the market for a number of years, but before people started using them, they were used for decades with animals.
When we had race horses in the late 80's, 90's and part of 2000 and 2001, we had several that we anxious, extremely high strung, and out of control around July 4 and other nights when fireworks were shot off. Thoroughbreds are by nature high strung, but some are almost impossible to control. We had two stakes horses, very expensive, who could not calm down in the starting gate. They would rear up, throw the jockey, not be able to race. Our trainer suggested the weighted blanket, developed by the Horse Whisperer, Monty Roberts. It's a special blanket that is put on the horse as he enters the starting gate, then when the gates open, it pulls off. It made a huge difference, and both horses that used the blanket had a successful racing career.
Now my dog Pepper is another story. He, too, has terrible anxiety during a rainstorm with thunder and lightening, fireworks, explosions at Camp Pendleton. He shakes so, I'm afraid he's going to have a heart attack. I bought him a Thunder Coat, a tight fitting coat that is supposed to help make him feel secure. Sometimes it works, sometimes not.
Now humans are using the weighted blanket. It is supposed to relieve anxiety and relax you. I have not used it, but it probably works, just like it works for other animals. First we try it on animals, and when it works, we try it on people. The weighted blanket is just another tool for people with sleeping problems. I'm sure it helps.
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