The ‘Gravity blanket’ raised $3 million online with a claim to treat anxiety. Then that promise was deleted 
 
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 “Gravity blanket” on Kickstarter that claimed to use cozy pressure to treat anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other conditions has been taking the internet by storm, raising more than $3 million. But on Thursday, the company quietly deleted the bold medical claims on its crowdfunding site — language that violated Kickstarter policy and went against FDA recommendations — after STAT inquired about its promotional statements. 
 
 The creators of Gravity call their product a “premium-grade, therapeutic weighted blanket” intended to treat psychiatric illnesses. People quickly snuggled up to the idea: More than 15,000 donors contributed to the Kickstarter campaign to help get the blanket to the market, where it’s projected to sell for as much as $279. 
 
 A slew of publications have touted the product with headlines such as, “I Want This Anti-Anxiety Blanket and You Will Too.” But the science behind the blanket’s claims is scarce— as STAT found by reviewing the studies the manufacturer cites as evidence for its claims. 
 
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 The Kickstarter campaign made big promises: “The science behind Gravity reveals that it can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as circumstantial stress and prolonged anxiety.” 
 
 But on Thursday afternoon, that language was swapped to say the blanket could be “used” for those conditions, rather than treat them. Then, the section disappeared entirely. The makers haven’t posted an update about the changes for their buyers. 
 
 The blanket’s creators didn’t respond to a request for comment. After STAT inquired about the campaign with Kickstarter, the site said it asked the Gravity team to change the language because it wasn’t in line with their rules on health claims. 
 
 A screen capture of the Gravity Kickstarter page before the language was changed. 
 
 Gravity isn’t the type of product regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. However, FDA recommendations released in July 2016 laid out clear guidelines for promoting wellness products, which are low-risk items designed to support a healthy lifestyle. 
 
 They can be marketed as supporting people who live with anxiety. They shouldn’t claim that a product can treat an anxiety disorder. 
 
 The marketing language also appeared to violate Kickstarter’s rules. The crowdfunding site prohibits campaigns for “any item claiming to cure, treat, or prevent an illness or condition.” Kickstarter has previously said that the rule was developed out of concern that medical claims could have “harmful consequences” for consumers. 
 
 Regardless of how it’s promoted, the evidence behind the product is scarce. 
 
 “It’s not a miracle therapy,” said Dr. Khalid Ismail, a sleep medicine researcher at Tufts Medical Center in Boston. “I don’t think it’s ready for prime time yet.” 
 
 Weighted blankets simulate the feeling of a big hug. The creators say it’s similar to swaddling a newborn baby, but with a much higher price tag. They claim that the increased weight — also known as deep touch pressure stimulation — can increase serotonin and melatonin levels while driving down cortisol, a stress hormone, “all without filling a prescription.” 
 
 It’s not a novel concept: Weighted blankets have been used in children with autism and elderly individuals with dementia. You can even buy them with a lower price tag from home goods stores. 
 
 “What’s new is that they’re trying to broaden the indication for its use,” said Ismail. 
 
 But the research they cite falls short of the hype. 
 
 One study looked at the use of weighted blankets, among other products, in a “sensory room” in an inpatient psychiatric unit. The researchers studied 75 people who used that room and concluded that those who tried the blanket reported a decrease in their anxiety and distress. But there was also a decrease in those symptoms among people who didn’t get under the blanket. And the study wasn’t blinded, so people might’ve reported positive effects because they were led to expect the blanket would have a positive effect. 
 
 Another study touted by Gravity’s creators found that 63 percent of individuals who used a 30-pound weighted blanket had reduced symptoms of anxiety. But the research included only 32 adults and no control group. 
 
 The creators of the blanket did not respond to a request for comment. 
 
 Ismail said it isn’t clear who, exactly, the blanket would benefit. Many cases of sleeplessness result from poor sleep hygiene, like being glued to a phone before bed; others result from underlying psychiatric disorders that require treatment. 
 
 “It might have a role, but in a very, very small subset of patients,” Ismail said, “and I don’t think we’ve identified that subset of patients with a really good randomized controlled trial.” 
 
 The campaign says it expects to start shipping blankets in October. 
 
 This post has been updated with information about new changes to the Kickstarter page. ||||| News moves fast, even in the world of quirky Kickstarter campaigns. 
 
 Earlier this week, we wrote about a weighted blanket generating a lot of buzz (and money) on the crowdfunding platform. Called Gravity, the blanket’s selling point was that, by generating “the feeling of being held or hugged,�? it could be used to treat everything from insomnia to anxiety. 
 
 It was a bold claim (as we noted, there’s not much research on weighted blankets’ impact on the body.) Too bold, it turns out, for Kickstarter’s own rules. 
 
 After STAT, a health-focused news website, reached out to the crowdfunding company, asking for more information on the “science�? validating Gravity Blanket’s assertion that it can treat “insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as circumstantial stress and prolonged anxiety,�?the project’s messaging was changed to say the blanket can be “used�? for these conditions. 
 
 As STAT notes, the previous language appears to violate Kickstarter’s rules, which bans campaigns that claim to “cure, treat, or prevent an illness or condition.�? 
 
 The Gravity blanket is still available on Kickstarter where, as of this writing, it’s raised more than $3.2 million. But it’s a good general reminder to be skeptical of wellness products peddling outsized health claims. Unlike medications, this category isn’t regulated by the FDA, which gives companies broad leeway to say their product can treat any number of conditions without supplying the necessary evidence to back it up. ||||| Travellers can enjoy a deeper, more restful sleep with a new high-tech weighted blanket designed to reduce stress and anxiety by simulating the sensation of being hugged, its designer claims. 
 
 Applying the principles of “deep pressure touch stimulation” therapy, the Gravity blanket is made with "high density plastic poly pellets" designed to relax your nervous system by targeting pressure points on the body linked to improved sleep, mood and relaxation, creating the feeling of being held, similar to how a parent might “swaddle an infant” to sleep. 
 
 The process is said to increase serotonin and melatonin levels while decreasing cortisol levels, which reduces your heart rate and blood pressure, while the minimised body movement from increased relaxation promotes a deeper REM (rapid eye movement) sleep cycle, which is the period when your brain and body are being recharged. 
 
 The duvet is meant to be between seven and 12 per cent of the user’s weight Credit: Kickstarter 
 
 Offered in three weight sizes - 15 lbs (6.8kg), 20 lbs (9kg) and 25 lbs (11.3kg) - the duvet is meant to be between seven and 12 per cent of the user’s weight. With a soft fleece cover and a cotton inner shell, Gravity has been made with durable, washable and breathable materials that keep you from becoming too hot under it. 
 
 “The science behind Gravity reveals that it can be used to treat a variety of ailments, including insomnia, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, as well as circumstantial stress and prolonged anxiety,” its Brooklyn-based designer, John Fiorentino, claims on Kickstarter, the crowdfunding website where the design was recently launched. 
 
 Previous research has suggested that weighted blankets could have positive effects on sleep. A study in 2015 published in the Journal of Sleep Medicine and Disorders reported that “weighted blankets and vets can provide a beneficial calming effect, especially in clinical disorders” and “may aid in reducing insomnia through altered tactile input”. 
 
 Research from 2008 in Occupational Therapy in Mental Health also suggested that the use of weighted blankets was effective for those who suffer from anxiety. 
 
 Back in 1992, a study by Temple Grandin PhD found that: “Deep pressure touch has been found to have beneficial effects in a variety of clinical settings. Occupational therapists have observed that a very light touch alerts the nervous system, but deep pressure is relaxing and calming.” 
 
 Priced from $169, Gravity is expected to be available for delivery this autumn in September and October. 
 
 Gravity isn’t the only bizarre blanket made available for travellers recently. Snuggling up under a duvet could be as easy as putting on a jacket or pair of trousers with "duvet suits" - extra-padded pyjamas - that come with a detachable hood and double up as a pillow squished inside its carry bag. They are three times warmer than a fleece blanket or a jumper, it is claimed. 
 
 These "duvet suits" are said to be warmer than a fleece blanket or a jumper 
 
 The Slanket, meanwhile, is a 60" x 95" fleece blanket with sleeves, lets you disappear under a warm cover without sacrificing the mobility of your arms, allowing you to eat, drink, read or use your hands for other tasks while keeping your body warm. It comes in a couple of styles including one with a built-in pocket for your feet to keep your toes toasty and the Double Slanket which has two pairs of sleeves, to keep both you and another person cosy under a shared blanket. 
 
 The Slanket ||||| Gravity is a premium-grade, therapeutic weighted blanket that harnesses the power of deep touch stimulation to gently distribute deep pressure across your body. 
 
 Engineered to be around 10% of your body weight, Gravity helps relax the nervous system by simulating the feeling of being held or hugged. 
 
 This increases serotonin and melatonin levels and decreases cortisol levels—improving your mood and promoting restful sleep at the same time. All without ever filling a prescription. 
 
 Dimensions: 48" by 72" 
 
 Weighted blankets are well known within the medical community, where they’ve been used as a natural stress reliever for decades. However, society at large hasn’t had access to them. To that end, we are working to put it in a form that is accessible to everyone. 
 
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 Though weighted blankets have been used in the medical community for many years now, the measurable health benefits have only recently begun to emerge in scientific studies. So far, the findings have been incredible. 
 
 Gravity uses the power of proprioceptive input (more commonly known as “deep touch pressure stimulation”), a well regarded therapeutic method that stimulates pressure points on the body linked to improved sleep, mood, and relaxation. 
 
 The result is a reduction in cortisol levels and an increase in serotonin production, which decreases heart rate and blood pressure. 
 
 Even hospitals use weighted blankets to calm patients' anxiety and promote deep, restful sleep. In a similar way to swaddling an infant, the weight and pressure on an adult provides near-instant comfort and relief. 
 
 http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1300/J004v24n01_05 
 
 http://www.somna.eu/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Pilot-study-of-a-sensory-room-in-an-acute-inpatient-psychiatric-unit.pdf 
 
 Gravity is designed to hug you back at night, closely mimicking how a parent swaddles their child while they sleep. But Gravity isn’t just for sleep. It can be used while you’re reading in bed, as you relax on your couch, or while you meditate. 
 
 Best of all? Gravity is engineered with breathable materials, so you’ll never be too hot underneath the covers. 
 
 The world around you is a stressful place. The barrage of news headlines. The incessant push notifications. The demands of your job. It’s never been harder to turn your mind off, relax, and recharge. 
 
 The average American now spends 30 percent of their leisure time browsing the web, and 61% of us admit to being addicted to our devices. At work, it’s even worse. The average employee checks 40 websites per day, and changes tasks every two minutes. As a result, we spend nearly two hours a day recovering from distractions. 
 
 Sleep loss, prolonged anxiety, and stress take a real toll on our lives—they decrease productivity during the day and can lead to long-term health problems like diabetes, obesity, and even heart disease. 
 
 We know your anatomy is unique, which is why we’ve engineered Gravity to meet your personal needs. This isn’t a weighted blanket for everyone. It’s a weighted blanket for you. 
 
 Weighted blankets should be around 10% of your body weight, which is why we’re offering 15, 20, and 25 pound options. Choose your preference (suggested based off of weight). 
 
 But Gravity is more than the science that engineers it. From beautiful design to thoughtful materials sourcing, we set out to craft a product that looks and feels as great as it performs. 
 
 Taking design cues from renderings of gravity planes, we used the same grid-like pattern to evenly distribute the crafted poly pellets to specifically target pressure points throughout your body. 
 
 The cover is made from a luxurious, ultra-soft micro plush fleece, and is easily removable for washing. The inner shell is made of 100% cotton. 
 
 The Weighted Filling 
 
 Gravity Blanket's weighted filling is a High Density Plastic Poly Pellet. The material is odorless, non-toxic, and food grade, making it perfectly suited for use in a blanket. They are dense to add weight, and soft to provide a nice texture to the Gravity Weighted Blanket. High Density Plastic Pellets are manufactured using High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), which is extremely durable, non-toxic, washer / dryer safe, and pet and kid friendly. 
 
 April-May: Run Kickstarter 
 
 May-June: Kickstarter complete-Production begins 
 
 June-July: Production completed 
 
 July-August: Product ships to our bi-coastal fulfillment houses 
 
 Sept-Oct: All Kickstarter rewards delivered just in time for fall! 
 
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 Gravity is a health technology company dedicated to naturally improving physical and mental wellbeing through research-driven science. 
 
 Over the past 12 months, we pored over medical research and studies about the effects of weighted blankets on serious conditions like autism, PTSD, and insomnia. 
 
 From there, we set out to take this science and make a product that could help everyone. After much trial and error, we’ve arrived at a prototype that people love. 
 
 Our manufacturing partners are ready to go. All we need is your support so we can deliver stress relief to your door. 
 
 My whole life, I've been an entrepreneur. I'm obsessed with brands, customer experience and making the people in my life smile. 
 
 My career has been focused on bringing products to market; from pillows, to fragrances and handbags, and now, a blanket for sleep and relaxation. 
 
 Before creating Gravity, I founded a media company called The Good Ones, a product review site and web series where I test and try any and every brand I can get my hands on, and give honest recommendations to consumers. Find us here: http://goodones.tv/ and follow us here: @goodonestv. 
 
 My ventures have been backed by some of the biggest entrepreneurs in the media and product world today, including Troy Carter and Gary Vaynerchuk. 
 
 With Gravity, I am also working with a team of people who have deep expertise in launching and building companies, including hitting the Inc. 500 list three separate times and successfully taking companies to IPO. 
 
 Our trusted manufacturing partners need a minimum financial commitment from us to get started on a larger manufacturing run. This is why we have set our funding goal to $21,500. By hitting this funding goal, we are able to put in a larger order to our manufacturing partners enabling us to serve the exact customer demand.
– A company hawking a "gravity blanket," which went viral on Kickstarter after claiming to treat everything from insomnia to anxiety, has doubled back on those promises after a website questioned its science. The crowdfunding campaign has raised $3.5 million with 15 days to go, but now, a thorn: Health news site STAT started nosing around the $279 gray coverlet's bid to be something of a cure-all and found the science behind its assertions to be lacking. STAT calls out one word in particular: "treat." The original Kickstarter listing said the weighted blanket can "treat" a slew of issues including PTSD and ADHD. STAT reports that on Thursday the word "treat" was dropped in favor of "used for" those ailments; then the paragraph was wiped entirely. STAT reports the original language went against Kickstarter's own rules banning claims to "cure, treat, or prevent an illness or condition." The pledge violated FDA recommendations, per STAT, though Fortune notes the agency doesn't regulate the industry and gives companies "broad leeway" to make medical claims. The Brooklyn-based makers say the blanket, which comes in three weights and should weigh about 10% of body weight, uses "deep pressure touch stimulation" to boost brain hormones that "improve your mood." All of this, they add, "without filling a prescription." The Kickstarter listing acknowledges weighted coverings are not a new idea, but says the idea of making them so accessible is. The Telegraph cites a 2015 study that credited the blankets with promoting a "beneficial calming effect." (This entrepreneur has made big bucks via Kickstarter knockoffs.)