Deep Touch Pressure Therapy (DTP) is a therapeutic method to relax the nervous system by applying equally exerted pressure across the body.

The concept of Deep Touch Pressure Therapy was first introduced in the 1960s and was initially applied with physical interactions (hugging, squeezing etc…), hugging machines and by applying various weighted items. In the late 1990s the concept of using a weighted blanket was utilised as a way of applying DTP equally across the whole body & has since been the go to method of applying DTP.

When Deep Touch Pressure is applied, receptors in your skin detects the even pressure over your body and sends a signal to your brain that you are in a stable safe environment.  

Once your brain receives this signal and knows it is safe to do so, it inhibits production of the “stress hormone” cortisol and increases production of the “happiness hormone” serotonin. The increase in serotonin allows your body to produce melatonin which is required by your body to ease you into natural sleep. 

The ultimate effect of this nuetochemical re-balance is a calming effect that eases tension in your mind and allows you to switch your nervous system over from the “flight and fight” branch of your nervous system to the calming “rest and digest” branch of your nervous system (parasympathetic).

Only once your nervous system has switched over the parasympathetic branch will it be able to go into a deep restorative sleep.

The science behind weighted blankets and improved sleep is supported by peer reviewed research, here are a few of the research articles we've found most informative:

The Biological Effects of Grounding the Human Body During Sleep.

Physiological Effects of Deep Touch Pressure on Anxiety Alleviation: The Weighted Blanket Approach.

Exploring the Safety and Therapeutic Effects of Deep Pressure Stimulation Using a Weighted Blanket.

Positive Effects of a Weighted Blanket on Insomnia.

Groundd weighted blankets are designed to provide all the benefits of Deep Touch Pressure Therapy all year round.

Groundd blankets are weighted with thousand of tiny glass beads that surround you like a comforting cocoon. The beads are suspended in a fine layer of micro-fibre for silent, minimal shifting within small 12cm square pockets so that weight is perfectly distributed through out the blanket and over your body.

Our blankets are encased in smooth layers of 100% long weave cotton and Organic Bamboo. The naturally breathable materials allow you to enjoy the comforting weight of a heavy blanket while regulating your body temperature so you can use it all year round without overheating or getting too cold.