Memory foam mattress: advantages and disadvantages

A good rest and comfortable sleep are essential components of a healthy lifestyle for any person. The quality of sleep largely depends on the equipment of the sleeping place, and in particular on a properly selected mattress. The sleep products market offers a huge variety of mattresses with the latest developments. One of the innovative options that is in great demand is a memory foam mattress.

What is the memory effect?

A memory foam mattress got its name because of its unique ability to perfectly adapt to the shape of each person’s body. This unique material was developed back in 1966 by the NASA laboratory to reduce the negative impact of gravitational loads on the astronauts’ bodies during takeoff and landing of spacecraft. Later, the production technology was bought by the Swedish company Fagerdala, which spent the next 10 years working on improving the composition and properties. The result of close cooperation between scientists and healthcare professionals exceeded all the wildest expectations. The highly elastic foam adapts to the shape and weight of a person’s body, to their temperature, creates unprecedented cushioning and restores its original shape.

The first bedding accessories were released for the medical sector and were tested in difficult conditions of hospitals, gerontological, rehabilitation and burn centers. Mattresses and pillows have proven their effectiveness in the prevention of pressure sores and diseases of the musculoskeletal system in bedridden patients, after which they were put into mass production and became available to a wide range of consumers.

Today, “memory” filler is produced in many countries around the world.

Features of memory foam mattresses

“Memory effect” mattresses have a porous texture, which, under the influence of body weight and temperature, instantly adapts to the anatomical parameters of a person. Sleep on such a product will be not only as comfortable as possible, but also useful. Memory foam mattresses are suitable for people of all ages. An anatomical mattress, purchased for a child or teenager, will be an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis and curvature of the spine. For older people, the benefits are also obvious – thanks to the filler, which perfectly repeats the curves of the body, blood vessels will no longer be compressed during sleep.

Advantages and disadvantages

Any product has its pros and cons, and a memory foam mattress is no exception. Let’s consider a list of the main criteria that can significantly affect the choice of the product.

Advantages:

  • Safety. The materials used for the production of filler and upholstery are absolutely safe even for people with pronounced allergic symptoms and increased skin sensitivity.
  • Convenience. In terms of comfort, this product cannot be compared even with the most expensive spring mattress.
  • Antibacterial effect. The material used as a filler has a powerful antimicrobial effect. That is why the possibility of parasites appearing on the mattress is reduced to zero.
  • Prevention of diseases of the musculoskeletal system, including curvature of the spine and osteochondrosis.
  • Long service life. The average warranty period for such products is 10 years.
  • Warming effect, which is manifested as a result of normalization of blood circulation, which is especially important in winter.
  • High resistance to vibrations.
  • Breathability. Thanks to its porous structure, mattresses allow air to pass through well.
  • High anatomical sensitivity.

Disadvantages:

  • Relatively high cost. Which is not surprising, because you have to pay for quality.
  • Initial discomfort. Oddly enough, but immediately after buying such a mattress, you will not be able to feel full comfort. This is due to the fact that the body needs some time to get used to the new sleeping equipment.
  • Dense mattress foam does not allow air to pass through well, so some buyers complained that the mattress is too hot in summer, and in the cold season it does not heat up enough and remains too hard.
  • Mattresses made of memory foam may have an unpleasant odor immediately after purchase. The process of this odor formation is called “outgassing”. The reason for this is the chemical substances that were used during the manufacture of the mattress. If you ventilate the mattress for a day or two, the smell usually disappears.

Considering all the above facts about a memory foam mattress, you can more confidently make a decision about buying it.