Does the full moon really affect people’s lives and health?

There are many myths associated with the full moon in culture. People believe that mental illness worsens during this time, spontaneous labor occurs, and the risk of bleeding and infections increases.

There is also an opinion that when the moon is full, people are more likely to commit crimes and commit suicide.

Scientists also did not ignore the lunar phases. There are many studies devoted to the influence of the Earth’s satellite on human health and behavior. Below we will look at what is known today.

Can the moon affect mental health and mood?

There is an opinion that lunar phases can influence the psyche and mood of people. Especially those who suffer from mental disorders.

To find out if this is so, American scientists analyzed number of hospitalizations and emergencies among psychiatric patients in New York. After checking five years of data, the study authors concluded that there were slightly fewer orbitals during the full moon and partial solar eclipse than during other phases.

However, the difference was not so significant that we could safely say there was a connection. Scientists have concluded that people’s mental health does not depend on the phases of the moon.

To the same conclusions came authors of another study. After checking 1,857 visits to the emergency department, scientists found that there were slightly fewer psychiatric patients during the full moon, and about the same during other phases of the moon. But even here the indicators did not reach statistical significance.

In another experiment, scientists checked more than 17 thousand records of hospital treatment, and found that the phases of the moon do not affect the level of hospitalization, nor the time of discharge, nor the length of stay in the hospital.

The same goes for the suicide rate. German scientists studied more than three thousand cases of suicide in one of the districts of Bavaria, and no connection was found with the lunar phases.

There is some evidence that the moon can influence people with bipolar affective disorder, in which there are sudden changes in mood from elated and excited – mania, to depressed – depression.

In one study, scientists noticedthat the change of mania and depression in patients with bipolar disorder is associated with lunar phases. True, there were only seventeen participants.

A separate case is also described in which a 67-year-old woman with bipolar disorder experienced mood swings coincided with lunar phases. But this connection persisted only while she was taking antidepressants and had elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone. After stopping the drug, the cyclical nature of the attacks disappeared.

Of course, one small study and a separate report is not enough to establish a connection between lunar phases and the condition of people with bipolar disorder. Therefore, we can safely say that the movement of the Earth’s satellite does not in any way affect people’s mental health and mood.

Does the moon affect sleep?

In one experiment Scientists tested whether the moon can affect nighttime rest, and found that during the full moon and the week before it, people fall asleep later and sleep less than during other phases. This is true both for those who live in nature without artificial lighting, and for city dwellers who spend their evenings under electric light bulbs.

Since the time of falling asleep, the production of the “sleep hormone” melatonin and the quality of night rest directly connected with the level of illumination, it can be assumed that the bright moon in the sky interferes with sleep. But, apparently, this is not the only issue.

In one experiment, people fell asleep in a dark laboratory, and scientists analyzed their sleep patterns, brain activity, and melatonin and cortisol levels.

Even without any lighting on a full moon, people fell asleep 5 minutes longer and slept 20 minutes less.

In addition, their deep sleep time decreased by 30% and their melatonin levels decreased. People themselves noticed that they slept worse.

True, there is also contrary information. Swedish scientists checked the data of more than two thousand men and women and not found significant differences in the quality and duration of sleep in different phases of the moon.

The British showed the same experiment with the participation of two hundred people. However, when scientists tested women and men separately, they found that the first phase of REM sleep, during which people dream, was shorter during the full moon, and the second was longer.

So, don’t blame the full moon for your lack of sleep. At least until you exclude all other factors like an unstable schedule, gadgets before bed, a hearty late dinner and a hot and bright bedroom.

Can the moon cause sudden childbirth?

On the Internet you can find information that obstetricians are waiting for the full moon with trembling, since there are especially many births at this time. However, based on scientific evidence, this is just another urban myth.

Scientists analyzed information about 23.6 thousand natural births from 1810 to 1929, and did not see any connection between the time of birth and the lunar phases.

Japanese explorers studied 1.5 thousand cases of childbirth, including sudden births, and also did not see a relationship with the position of the moon.

True, among those born at night, the majority were born during the full moon. But during the day they were more often born on the new moon.

Does the full moon affect children?

Apparently, children are more sensitive to the phases of the moon than adults. In Danish research involving 795 children aged 8 to 11 years old, they found that during the full moon they were slightly less active and slept slightly more. True, the difference is only 2-5 minutes, so there is no need to talk about any serious influence.

In another, larger-scale experiment, scientists analyzed data from 5,812 children aged 9 to 11 years from different countries. It turned out that study participants slept about 5 minutes less during a full moon than during a new moon. But other parameters, such as activity level and time spent sitting, were not affected by the moon.

So the lunar phases can affect children, but not so much that you notice it.

Can lunar cycles affect physical performance?

In one experiment Scientists have discovered that the moon may have some influence on how the body responds to exercise.

In the study, 76 healthy college students performed exercises while researchers monitored their heart rates and blood pressure. It turned out that during the full moon and new moon, heart rate and pressure after exercise were lower than during other phases. During this time, students performed better on physical tests and recovered faster.

But trained athletes, apparently, do not have such a dependence. In one experiment, 12 taekwondo fighters performed fitness tests during different phases of the lunar cycle, and the study authors did not notice significant difference in results.

In addition, both studies included too few participants, and the latter included only men. Thus, it cannot be said that lunar phases affect the physical capabilities of all people.

Is it true that people are killed more often during a full moon?

Another urban myth is that during a full moon, people are at greater risk of getting into trouble, getting hurt, or being attacked. Judging by the statistics, this is not the case.

In one study, scientists checked data on 6,808 crimes committed in Finland from 1961 to 2014 and found that 15% fewer murders are committed on a full moon than on a new moon.

Scientists also calculated that 86% fewer violent deaths occur during the lightest hours of the night than during the darkest hours. It can be assumed that the level of crime depends more on lighting than on the increased aggressiveness of people.

What’s the result?

Based on available scientific evidence, the phases of the moon may have some effect on sleep in children and adults, and may slightly increase physical performance in untrained individuals. But even such subtle changes do not have reliable evidence.

At the same time, some people continue to consult the lunar phases to make important decisions or expect imaginary danger during the full moon. This can be explained by illusory correlation, a common cognitive distortionwhich makes people see connections where there are none.

Moreover, believing in the ability of lunar cycles to influence health or life is also pleasant because it provides a sense of control. If this were true, a person could simply look at the lunar calendar and take steps to protect himself from danger or choose the best moment for some action. Unfortunately, it is not.