For centuries, full moon has been one of the greatest mysteries, a source of many speculations. In many cultures for centuries, supernatural powers were attributed to it, usually influencing human health, emotions, and even behavior. From folkloristic overtones to scientific investigation, people have continued to show unrelenting interest in how the full moon might affect our lives.
The purpose of this paper is therefore to take an in-depth look into how the full moon is believed to affect health and behavioral aspects. We examine a range of various such factors for their scientific evidence and cultural views, including some of the psychological ones that perpetuate some of these beliefs.
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Key Takeaways
- Cultural and historical beliefs about the full moon’s influence on human behavior and health are deeply rooted, though many of these ideas lack strong scientific evidence.
- Sleep patterns may be affected by the full moon, with studies showing potential disruptions in sleep quality during this lunar phase.
- While there are long-standing associations between the full moon and mental health or birth rates, most scientific research shows little to no conclusive evidence for these links.
- The persistence of these beliefs is largely driven by cultural narratives, confirmation bias, and the powerful psychological influence of the moon’s visible presence in the sky.
The Allure of the Full Moon
The full moon has always held a special place in the human imagination throughout history. The moon has been attributed with powers over fertility, agriculture, and even human emotions by ancient peoples, from the Egyptians to the Greeks.
The word “lunatic” comes from “luna,” the Latin word for moon, reflecting the old belief that this celestial body could drive individuals into insanity and/or strange behavior. But even in today’s scientifically conscious world, the idea that a full moon can affect our health and behavior is very current.
The continuing popularity of the full moon reflects the long-standing concern of humankind with the meaning in the patterns within the natural world. The scientific inquiry or spiritual contact with the impact of the moon on health and behavior is thrown afresh.
History Behind the Concept of Lunar Influence
For centuries, man has linked different phases of the moon to life phenomena, which extend from seasonal agricultural cycles to the management of disorders. The physicians of ancient Greece believed that the moon had a powerful influence on bodily fluids.
Treatments, including bloodletting, were commonly scheduled in accordance with the lunar calendar because the alignment of the celestial bodies was believed to affect medical procedures. This was hardly unique to Greece; cultures worldwide developed lunar-based calendars that informed everything from planting crops to conducting rituals.
The cycles of the moon were not only perceived as means of time measurement but as active causes in determining human health and destiny. Although most of these concepts have been scrutinized and buried by modern science, belief in lunar effects endures.
Science Behind Lunar Effects
With such strong cultural narratives regarding the powerful effect of the moon, what, if anything, does science have to say? Research into the effects of lunar phases on human health has always yielded mixed results. Researchers have looked into aspects of life in which variations occur that the moon is purportedly responsible for: sleep patterns, mental health, and childbirth rates.
1. Sleep Patterns
The only domain that has shown any semblance of correlation with the lunar cycle is sleep. One 2021 study found people who lived in areas devoid of artificial lighting experienced disrupted sleep in full moons. Participants reported sleeping less and taking longer to reach deep stages of sleep. The bright light of the full moon could interfere with natural circadian rhythms, leading to restless nights. [1][3]
2. Mental Health
The other gripping belief is that the full moon aggravates the mental states, including those of anxiety and depression. In as much as studies have indicated slight increments in psychiatric cases during full moons, others found no significant correlation. [1][2]
The 2019 study concluded that there is an extremely weak association of the lunar phases with mental health, adding that many findings were inconsistent. Perhaps this is the power of expectation: those who believe in the influence of the lunar cycle are more likely to notice changes in mood when the full moon is up.
3. Birth Rates
Perhaps one of the most enduring myths is that more babies are born during full moons. While there is some limited evidence to support this—a French study of over 38 million births, for instance—the findings have nevertheless been contested by researchers. It is still a matter of debate whether or not the full moon actually influences labor one way or another because the data remains undecided. [3]
Psychological Effects of Beliefs About the Moon
1. Confirmation Biases and Illusory Correlations
One reason that beliefs about full moons being causative agents persist is because of a psychological phenomenon called confirmation bias. It is best described as a predilection or tendency of the individual to search for, and give significance to, information that corroborates pre-existing beliefs while disregarding contradictory evidence.
For example, if one believes that a full moon is going to bring about aberrant behavior, then that person is more apt to recognize strange events occurring on nights when the moon is full, which in turn acts to further reinforce their belief in the moon’s influence.
This can lead to something called “illusory correlation” by psychologists—the perception that two events that have no link actually exist. For example, one might recall that a particularly restless night or an unusual occurrence happened during a full moon and attribute it in relation to the lunar cycle, when the relationship is random. [5]
2. Cultural Narratives and Folklore
We also draw from cultural narratives in constructing our perceptions of the moon’s influence. For instance, many people have traditionally held a view that the full moon induces emotion, crime rates, and even bizarre behavior in animals. These cultural ideas are perpetuated often through portrayals in the media that add to the popular sentiment regarding the “lunar effect.”
These are the kinds of myths that get carried forward despite scientific studies conducted time and again to debunk these very myths. Other examples include reports showing surges in emergency room admissions or acts of violence during full moons, though repeated scientific inquiries into such claims have failed to provide consistent evidence in support of the claim.
Their persistence might reflect less the robustness of the moon’s influence and more that of the depth to which such ideas are etched into cultural consciousness. [4][5]
Full Moon’s Effect on Human Physiology
1. Physiological Response to the Lunar Cycle
Besides the psychological and emotional impacts, other research also considers whether the phases of the moon could influence physical health. Examples include the studies of changes in blood pressure and heart rate in relation to lunar phases.
One such study, among male university students, gave results of lower blood pressure readings during both new and full moons. Such findings are still not conclusive and would need further research to establish any concrete links between lunar cycles and physiological changes.[2]
2. Menstrual Cycles and Reproductive Health
Many people believe that women’s menstrual cycles are somehow linked to the phases of the moon. Indeed, many women claim that their cycles seem to correspond with the timing of each full moon. However, scientific evidence has yet to support a compelling connection between menstrual and lunar cycles.
For example, an analysis in 2021 showed weak correlations, which means the discussed connection is probably less general than it is actually assumed to be. Although there is scant scientific evidence to support such beliefs, this is nevertheless a fairly widespread impression of the moon and its Full phase in popular culture, particularly when discussing fertility and other natural cycles. [1][2]
Why Do These Myths Endure?
Although sound scientific evidence to support them is lacking, the belief that the full moon has an effect on human health and behavior is in fact remarkably resilient. Several factors contributing to the presence of such beliefs explain why they endure:
The most striking events within the sky would be the visibility of the Moon. Its brightness and size may be almost superimposing, thus leaving in human psychology an understanding of fantastic meaning on seeing it. This in turn makes its presence very mystique and assists in adding fuel to beliefs regarding its effects on human life.
1. Cultural Reinforcement:
Folklore, mythology, and even modern media often reinforce further the notion that the moon has some form of control over human behavior. Whether through the werewolf stories or reported acts of madness during a full moon, these are the stories that keep lunar myths alive within the public consciousness.
2. Psychological Influences:
As mentioned earlier, there are psychological influences such as confirmation bias and the tendency of people to seek out patterns explain, at least in part, the continued belief in lunar effects. In other words, the ideas have been with people for so long that it seems hard to entirely disregard them.
Final Thoughts
The full moon’s influence on human health and behavior remains a topic of much interest and debate. Despite long-standing beliefs and mythologies, much of the scientific evidence either shows no significant connection or is inconclusive. Nonetheless, the cultural and psychological roots of such beliefs run deep, leading them to endure despite the lack of definitive scientific support.
There’s no question that the moon is a powerful symbol in human history, and whether it genuinely affects us or not, it will likely continue to captivate our imagination for generations to come.
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References
[1] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/full-moon-effects
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10704544/
[3] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/5-ways-a-full-moon-is-believed-to-impact-health/articleshow/111258305.cms
[4] https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/can-moon-affect-our-health-behaviour
[5] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/moon-effects-on-humans
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16407788/
[7] https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190731-is-the-moon-impacting-your-mood-and-wellbeing
[8] https://www.verywellmind.com/does-the-moon-actually-affect-our-moods-5206203