Memory foam has several one-of-a-kind qualities and is produced from visco elastic foam. Snoozing on a full memory foam mattress will cause it to conform, or mold, to the individual's body, but it will then return to its original shape, consequently the term memory foam. NASA first produced it nearly 40 years ago, but as manufacturing prices got cheaper it was introduced to the general public in 1991. Since then it has enjoyed an impressive rise in status.

A large amount of the confusion with memory foam is due to the large number of densities and levels of firmness that are for sale. Density is the weight in pounds of a 1-cubic foot segment of foam. If a 1-cubic foot segment weighs 5 pounds it has a density of 5 pounds. Generally, the denser the foam the longer it will last, but it will not feel as soft.

Firmness is a gauge of its Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) and is the amount of force required, calculated in pounds, to cause a 1 inch indentation in the foam. Measuring ILD is accomplished by positioning a 50-inch disc on top of a piece of foam that is measured at 4 inches by 15 inches by 15 inches. The amount of weight in pounds required to force the foam down a single inch is its ILD rating. If it takes 14 pounds to compress the foam down an inch its ILD rating is 14. A mattress that has a lower-numbered ILD rating will indent more.

Snoozing on a standard spring mattress will cause an increase in the amount of pressure on certain locations like the hips or shoulders. A memory foam mattress will spread the body weight of an individual more evenly and over a larger area. This will lessen the amount of force in any particular area which can lead to a more peaceful sleep and less joint or back aches.

One of the negative aspects to this type of mattress is its high price as they can get rather high-priced. This is why the mattress topper is so popular, because it is a lot less expensive than a full mattress and can be placed on top of the bed you already sleep on. However, due to their narrowness they can wear out faster. If you are not sure about shelling out the added money to buy a full memory foam mattress you can initially start with the bed topper to see if it agrees with you. If you like bed topper you can always take the subsequent step and buy the full bed.

Memory foam retains heat and is the reason why many consumers do not want it. If someone lies on a foam mattress it will at first feel stiff. Afterward, when the body heat transfers to the foam it will start to become softer, causing it to conform, or mold, to the person's body contour. The area beneath the warmth will remain cooler and less soft, offering superior support, while the warm area will be softer and less stiff, providing added comfort. A large number of individuals with lower back pain will find that the pain goes away after they begin sleeping on a full memory foam mattress.