Frequently Asked Questions
Hugimals are high-quality, adorable, weighted stuffed animals that “hug you back” to lower stress, boost feelings of calm, and help with sleep and focus. Hugimals combine the emotional connection of a favorite stuffed animal with the calming benefits of a weighted blanket.
Hugimals are intentionally and beautifully designed to make them the ultimate therapeutic calming tool — on top of being, well, pretty adorable! They have neutral facial expressions rather than smiles, allowing you to feel whatever you're feeling in a no-judgment zone. They are made with calming colors and extra-soft fabric for a soothing visual and tactile sensory experience. And unlike other weighted products, Hugimals have a patent-pending removable weighted insert that makes Hugimals unique in two ways. One: it distributes a Hugimal's weighted pressure evenly throughout its body (rather than only in the middle) for the comforting sensation that your Hugimal is "hugging you back." And two: It makes Hugimals machine washable (unlike most other plush, which is spot-clean only.) Simply remove the weighted insert, and machine wash the outer plush when needed.
Your Hugimal’s weighted pressure brings on a relaxation response from the parasympathetic nervous system — and tamps down a fight-or-flight response — lowering the stress hormone cortisol and stimulating production of “calming” neurotransmitters oxytocin and dopamine, helping you feel calm, grounded, safe and secure.
Weighted pressure, known in the scientific community as Deep Touch Pressure, stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, bringing on a physical relaxation response in the body and feelings of calm and well-being. Weighted pressure may also help with focus. Here are a few of the studies that point to the science-backed benefits:
Weighted pressure provides therapeutic benefits including lowered anxiety and increased calm.
Source: Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
Weighted pressure eases anxiety and unrest in stressful environments like the dentist.
Source: Journal of Medical and Biological Engineering
Weighted pressure increased on-task behavior in kids with attention difficulties.
Source: American Journal of Occupational Therapy
Hugimals were developed by a health journalist with top pediatricians, psychologists and occupational therapists for anyone age 2+ who enjoys the calming feeling of weighted pressure, from kids to adults, neurotypical, neurodivergent, sensory-seeking, and everyone in between.
When you snuggle up with your Hugimal on your lap, or lay with it on your chest, you get the soothing sensation that it’s “hugging you back,” making you feel safe, grounded, calm and secure. Use your Hugimal to soothe anxiety during stressful moments, to help ease into a restful sleep, to help you focus while working or studying, as a comforting companion when recovering from an illness or injury, or simply to cuddle with anytime you need a comforting hug.
Your Hugimal is weighted with non-toxic glass beads (the same found in many premium weighted blankets), which are carefully sewn inside a sturdy, removable weighted insert. Each Hugimal weighs approximately 4.5 pounds. Customers often say holding a Hugimal reminds them of the comforting feeling of holding a baby or a pet!