Have you heard of memory foam mattresses? Do you use one yourself? The main question here is, do memory foam mattresses help to improve sleep or do they diminish it slightly? Most of the time, a humans body will adapt to what it is sleeping on. It will learn how to fall asleep at some point with what it is given, yet, so many people are on the hunt for that perfect mattress that forms to their body and helps them fall asleep and stay asleep much more easily.
Well, memory foam is made from viscoelastic, which is a specific kind of substance. It is highly absorbent and soft to the touch. Memory foam moulds to the body in response to heat and pressure, distributing weight evenly.
There is not much research out there about the benefits of using a memory foam mattress. Most of the time it is subjective to the sleeper and what they like and finds most comfortable. For those who define themselves as hot sleepers, it would probably be harmful to your sleep as it retains heat and can cause a sweaty night. That being said, there are some mattresses that advertise cooling gel technology within the foam. For those who feel comfortable and relaxed being wrapped up in something then the memory foam, which moulds to your body would be beneficial to your sleep.
The best way to find out if a memory foam mattress is best for you, go to your local mattress store and lay in one for 5 minutes, how you would lay down to go to sleep, toss and turn, lay still and see if the sensation is something you are comfortable with. Remember, not everyone will like the feeling of sinking into a mattress and having it mould to your body, some prefer a more firm mattress to aid in back pain while they sleep.
To answer the questions: are memory foam mattresses beneficial or harmful for sleep, yes and no. It may be for harmful to some people while for others they may swear it is the answer to all their sleeping problems. The best way to find out is to test it out for yourself.