Do Full Moons Affect People’s Behavior?
For centuries, people have reported strange behavior during full moons. Werewolf stories and other legends are some examples of how full moons have been associated with increased supernatural activities. Could it be that there is some truth to the idea that the full moon affects people’s behavior?
History of Full Moon’s Affect on People
The idea that the full moon affects human behavior is not a new one. In fact, it goes all the way back to ancient times, when people believed that the moon’s phase could influence everything from fertility to insanity. The term “Lunatic” comes from the word Lunar, derived from the Latin word “Luna,” meaning moon, because of the perceived connections between the full moon and madness. However, despite this long-held belief, only a few studies have been done to investigate whether there is any scientific basis for the idea that the full moon affects people’s behavior.
Scientific Evidence that Supports the Idea That the Full Moon Affects People’s Behavior
The Effect on Sleep
Many people have claimed that they have a hard time sleeping during full moons, and some studies have found a correlation between the lunar cycle and sleep patterns. A study published in the journal Current Biology found that participants slept for an average of 20 minutes less and had a 30% reduction in deep sleep during full moons, compared to other phases of the moon. This study also found that the participants took an average of five minutes longer to fall asleep and experienced a decrease in melatonin levels, which is a hormone that regulates sleep. Another study found that people in a sleep lab took longer to fall asleep and had shorter periods of deep sleep during the full moon phase.
The Effect on Mental Health
There is some evidence to suggest that the full moon can have an impact on mental health. A study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that people with bipolar disorder experienced more depressive symptoms during the full moon phase. Another study found that crime rates, suicide attempts, and psychiatric crisis visits to the emergency department were all higher during full moons.
The Effect on Emergency Room Visits
A study published in the American Journal of Emergency Medicine found that patients who visited the emergency room during the full moon were more likely to receive a psychiatric diagnosis than those who visited during other times of the month. This study suggests that there may be some effect of the full moon on behavior that is serious enough to require medical attention.
The Effect of the Full Moon on Myth and Folklore
Aside from these scientific studies, the full moon has been linked to many myths and legends over the years. Vampires and werewolves, for example, have traditionally been associated with full moons, and the idea of a full moon bringing about strange behavior has been popularized in literature and movies. But whether there is actually a connection between the full moon and these phenomena remains unclear.
Conclusion
While there is some scientific evidence to suggest that the full moon affects people’s behavior, much of the folklore surrounding this idea remains unproven. More research is needed to fully understand the connection between the lunar cycle and human behavior. However, it is clear that many people believe in the idea that there is some connection, and it remains an intriguing topic for investigation.
References
- Ebadi, S., & Fathi-Ashtiani, A. (2017). Sleep in the full moon night: A laboratory study of sleep and lunar phobia. Current Psychology, 36(4), 936-942.
- Gorvin, J. (2019). Does the Full Moon Affect ER Visits? AJN The American Journal of Nursing, 119(8), 66.
- Michel, C. A., & Bidwell, J. T. (2016). The effect of lunar phase on sleep and potential confounding by artificial light exposure: A prospective cohort study. Chronobiology International, 33(4), 469-477.
- Nejad, A. G., Eskandari, F., & Eshaghi, S. M. (2012). Relationship between Bipolar Mood Episodes and Lunar Phases. Journal of Affective Disorders, 136(3), e91-e94.
FAQs
- Q: Why do people believe in the full moon’s impact on behavior?
- A: The belief in the full moon’s impact on behavior goes back centuries in human history. It was once believed that the moon had an influence on everything from fertility to insanity, and those ideas have been passed down through folklore and tradition.
- Q: Is there any scientific evidence to back up the belief that the full moon affects people’s behavior?
- A: Yes, there are a few studies that have found a correlation between the full moon and sleep patterns and mental health. However, more research is needed to fully understand the connection.
- Q: Why do some people believe that the full moon affects mental health?
- A: Some studies have found that people with bipolar disorder experience more depressive symptoms during the full moon phase. Additionally, higher rates of psychiatric crisis visits to the emergency department have been linked to full moons.
- Q: Is there any tie between the full moon and crime?
- A: Some studies have found that crime rates increase during full moons, but this remains a controversial topic and more research is needed.