Pros and Cons of Memory Foam Beds

History

• Memory foam mattresses were designed in the 1960s by NASA as a foam padding to protect astronauts from the force of a space shuttle's launch. After its production, the foam was used as a cushion to assist racehorses through injury recoveries. It was through widespread use in the medical community in the late 20th century that memory foam became available to the public.

Types

• Memory foam mattresses are available in a variety of different densities and firmness measurements, all of which affect their overall price, which varies from $1400 to $7000. According to the Memory Foam Buyer's Guide, quality foam mattresses have a density of 5 lbs, which offers the most support.

Benefits

• Memory foam mattresses sink when under pressure to conform to a body, meaning that individuals with frequent back or body pains or circulatory problems can often see a significant decrease in pain after using a foam mattress. Another key selling point is that the foam does not transfer motion.

Cautions

• Unfortunately, most foam mattresses are manufactured using petroleum-based chemicals, which can produce toxic or carcinogenic fumes. Some varieties of memory foam mattress are also prohibitively expensive to the average consumer. Some consumers also find that foam mattresses exhibit a characteristic smell which may or may not fade with time.

Considerations

• Investment in a mattress can account for a considerable portion of a household's budget. A potential option for some households might be to purchase a memory foam mattress pad on a trial basis, as they are significantly cheaper than full foam mattresses.