In order to get an understanding of why one would consider using a memory foam pillow, it's important to get an overall sense of what this material is all about.

So what exactly is memory foam you ask?

Well, according to Wikipedia, it's a visco-elastic polyurethane foam. This doesn't really mean much to me though and I imagine most of you are in the same boat... All we need to know is that memory foam was invented by NASA way back in the 60's and has since found it's way into a variety of different bedding products. Have a look at the video below and you'll get a pretty good idea as to how this stuff behaves. You can see why this particular type of foam makes for good pillows, mattresses and bed toppers. It's firm, yet has the ability to form to different shapes and sizes.

So what are the benefits to having a pillow made from this material?

Well it's really quite simple. Think about the shape of your head and the way it sits on an ordinary pillow. Chances are that there are some serious gaps somewhere. Either the neck isn't properly supported or your head isn't sitting properly. Imagine a pillow that conforms to your unique shape. This is what memory foam can do.

Not that it really matters, but how does this material work?

It basically has to do with heat. Unlike regular foams that don't react to different temperatures, memory foam is very sensitive to heat. When the material is cool, it holds it's position just like any other foam. When heat is applied to it with a bit of pressure, however, it takes on new forms. Think about this in terms of a body or head. The heat that your body naturally throws is pressed against the memory foam and it takes on that shape. The support that this pillow offers is far superior to any other product available.

Not all pillows are the same.  They're different shapes and sizes and offer slightly different beneifts.  Pillows of the memory foam variety are no different.  Here are the three most common types of pillows available:

When people picture a memory foam pillow, this is the one they usually see. It basically looks like two waves with a little bit of space in between. This type of pillow works well for folks that sleep on their backs or sides. The neck rests on the small wave while the head kind of nestles into the larger wave. If you sleep on your stomach, this pillow probably isn't for you. Consider a regular shaped pillow made of memory foam instead.

Regardless of what style you choose, either the regular type or the wavy contoured type, memory foam pillows have a few key advantages over their regular foam counterparts:

The Ability To Adapt

• This is obviously the main reason for considering one of these products. A regular pillow behaves exactly the same regardless of who's head is sleeping on it. This leads to inconsistent support for your entire upper body. A pillow made from memory foam, on the other hand, moulds to your specific profile. This offers a lot more in the way of comfort and support.

Better Breathing

• Having an upper body that is supported and aligned while sleeping is crucial for than just comfort. Using a memory foam pillow will actually help to clear your breathing pathway. This is because the foam sinks more under heavier weight. The end result is a perfectly aligned upper torso. Breathing easier results in a more restful sleep. It can also serve to alleviate some snoring problems.
  

Body pillows are wonderful. If you're not quite sure what exactly they are, you may want to read my hub called A Body Pillow Guide for some basic background info. It's essentially an over-sized pillow though. They typically run the full length of an average adult's body. Body pillows made out of memory foam offer a bit more than ones made from regular foams. This is due to the material's ability to mould around various body parts. Unlike a regular pillow which is more or less only used in one way, a body pillow can be utilized in a number of different positions. Here are a few ideas:

Placed Between The Legs

• A lot of people like to have a pillow in between their legs when they sleep. This is a good thing as it keeps your knees from banging into each other and also helps to keep your back straight. The problem with using a conventional pillow to do this is it requires multiple pillows on one bed. A body pillow is long enough to accommodate both the head and the legs though.

Placed Against A Headboard

• Another useful position where a body pillow can be effective is against a wall or headboard. I think we've all struggled to find a comfortable sitting position on a bed before. You can try stacking numerous pillows against the wall to support your back but this is really quite awkward. With a body pillow, sitting up in bed becomes incredibly simple and comfortable.

For Pregnancy Support

• Now I'm not a doctor... And I'm not a pregnant woman! I am thus, understandably, reluctant to comment on the benefits that body pillows offer an expecting mother. I'm told, though, that they are wonderful for this. Consult your local physician for more info...
  

Another common type of memory foam pillow available is the travel pillow. You know the ones... Those goofy looking horseshoe/toilet bowl type things that all the travelling business men seem to use on planes. I'm a huge fan of these pillows. They're SO much better than the ones provided by airline staff members. It's also more hygenic to bring your pillow while traveling.  You never know if airlines do a proper cleaning of pillows in between flights.

Now that you know what kind of pillow you want, consider a few more things before making a purchase.

Density

• The density of the pillow you select is quite important. Density ranges between 2 and 5 and is measured in "pounds".  This number basically tells you how tough a pillow is. If you like a soft pillow, go with a lower density. Conversely, if you like your pillow to be extra firm look for a memory foam product with a density of 4.5 or 5.

Style

• You should also consider the style of pillow that you want. While memory foam is a "function first" type item, this doesn't mean it has to be ugly. Take a bit of time and consider the shape, color and style of the pillow you want to buy.