How Much Memory Does Your Foam Have?

One of the most exciting developments in sleep systems has been the introduction of memory foam

. Visco elastic memory foam can be found in a wide variety of different mattresses and is even used for pillows. For many folks, memory foam provides the support and comfort needed for a quality night's sleep. The quality of the foam used can make a significant difference in how long your memory foam mattress lasts.

Since we spend about three thousand hours in bed every year, sleep is an important part of our lives. For years, folks who had trouble sleeping were said to have simple insomnia. After years of research, we know that insomnia is not merely the inability to sleep. Insomnia is a multifaceted condition that can have profound and sometimes serious effects on our health and wellbeing.

Insomnia and other types of sleep-related orders are rarely considered cured. Treatment depends on the type of sleep disorder. Conditions like sleep apnea can be treated by mechanical means or even corrective surgery. Other sleep disorders are treated with drug and even sleep therapies. The inability to fall asleep and to stay asleep can be frustrating and detrimental to our health. Recent studies have shown that insomnia and other sleep disorders can aggravate health conditions such as heart disease, obesity and memory loss.

Many of the same studies that show the detrimental effects of not getting enough sleep indicate that the type of mattress we use has an impact. This is why many people have chosen a visco elastic memory foam mattress. Memory foam is a made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that add to its viscosity level, thereby increasing the density of the foam.

Another general rule of thumb is that the heavier the foam per cubic foot, the more expensive the mattress. On the other hand, some people prefer the feel of softer, less dense foam. Still other people like a more solid feel in the mattress which can be found in heavier foam.

Denser foam has fewer air cells or pockets and does not compress at the same rate of foam with more air and less foam. The thickness of the foam can vary from mattress to mattress and that can pose yet another choice for foam mattress buyers. In many memory foam and hybrid mattresses the top three of four inches is memory foam.

Memory foam was initially developed for NASA. This unique compound demonstrated the ability to distribute pressure across the entire surface, easing the pressure of extreme G-forces experienced by astronauts during liftoff. Out gassing of chemicals used to make memory foam made the material unsuitable for use in manned space flight though other applications were found for this versatile material.

The term memory foam has become somewhat ubiquitous in the market place but the fact is that not all memory foam is the same. As a consumer, knowing the density of the foam that is used in the mattress can be a key indicator of quality, comfort and price. As a general rule, the heavier the foam, the more dense and supportive it is when used as the top layer of a mattress.

The density or weight of the foam is calculated in terms of weight per cubic foot. Think of a box one foot square in size and imagine the box shape to be a piece of memory foam. The weight per cubic foot of foam can range anywhere from 2.5 to 6.0 pounds per cubic foot. For visco elastic memory foam mattresses, foam densities of between 4 pounds and 5 pounds.

by: Mitch Endick

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