Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin have developed a unique system of pillows and mattresses that “trick” your body into falling asleep faster by heating and cooling it.
During testing, researchers showed that the system helped participants fall asleep 58% faster than normal.
Unfortunately, it remains unclear how much the system will cost or when it will be available, though the researchers now have a patent for the technology.
At night, our body temperature naturally drops as part of a 24-hour rhythm that tells us it’s time to sleep.
“We facilitate preparation for sleep by manipulating the body’s internal temperature-sensitive sensors to momentarily adjust the body’s thermostat to think the temperature is higher than it actually is.”
Based on this knowledge, researchers began to understand whether thermal stimulation could help people fall asleep.
And in 2019, the team did research that showed that taking a warm bath an hour or two before bed helps people fall asleep faster and better.
In this follow-up study, the researchers decided to develop a temperature-controlled mattress and heating pad to achieve a similar effect.
Two types of mattresses have been developed, one uses water and the other uses air to regulate temperature.
In their study published in the Journal of Sleep Research, the researchers explained: “One model uses circulating water to create and control two mattress temperature zones, while the other uses airflow to create and control mattress temperature zones.”
For these two types of mattresses, the system uses separate cooling and heating sources, which are independently controlled.
The mattress warms the neck, hands and feet up to 33°C (91°F) while cooling the middle part of the body down to 25°C (77°F).
It increases blood flow to dissipate body heat, making you sleepy.
To test the system, the researchers recruited 11 participants who were asked to go to bed two hours earlier than usual.
Participants used an air mattress for some nights, a water-based mattress for five of them, and a box spring mattress for the other nights.
The results revealed that the temperature control system helped the participants fall asleep 58% faster – there was no significant difference between the water and air mattresses.
Participants also reported better sleep quality with the regimen than without the regimen.
The team has patented technology for cooling mattresses and pillows and is working to partner with mattress companies to market them.
Source: Daily Mail
Source: Arabic RT
