How did you sleep two nights ago, under the Harvest Moon, which to top it off happened to be a Super moon (this occurs when the moon is at its closest to the Earth, therefore appears larger and brighter than usual)?
The concept that the full moon can impact human behavior has long captivated human curiosity, leading to speculation, fascination, and even the development of myths over centuries, if not millennia. Tales of heightened emotions, peculiar events, and erratic conduct during full moons have become ingrained in our collective awareness. Nevertheless, it is crucial to discern between factual information and folklore by delving into the scientific investigations that have sought to comprehend the relationship between the full moon and human behavior. In order to explore this captivating subject, we will initially examine the historical origins of the association between the full moon and human behavior, and subsequently explore various scientific studies that have aimed to elucidate this phenomenon.
Historical Beliefs, Cultural Myths and Folklore
Throughout history, there has been a longstanding belief in the potential influence of the full moon on human behavior. Across different cultures and civilizations, the full moon has been associated with a variety of beliefs and superstitions. Numerous myths and tales have attributed extraordinary abilities to the full moon, such as its alleged capacity to provoke madness, intensify aggression, or heighten romantic attraction.
One of the long-lasting beliefs is the notion that the full moon can induce “lunacy. The term “lunatic” originates from the Latin word “lunaticus,” which translates to “moonstruck” or “affected by the moon. In the past, it was believed that the full moon had the potential to provoke mental disturbances.
One cannot help but bring the emblematic horror inducing character into the fray – the werewolf. The shape shifting person who every full moon undergoes a metamorphoses turning into an enigmatic creature – half man, and a lot of wolf. This character stems from folklore, and it is not yet certain how far back the myth of this being goes. It is though a creature that appears not only European folklore. It is also found in Indian folklore, among others, where it was considered to be the protector of the jungle. The werewolf is an interesting character that has given way to many a good horror (and at times comedic) movies.
Scientific Studies on the Full Moon’s Effects
Although the historical and cultural significance of the full moon is captivating, scientific inquiry requires tangible evidence to establish a cause-and-effect relationship. A number of studies have been conducted to explore the validity of the notion that the full moon has an impact on human behavior. On this occassion we will mention the one that many an insomniac must have pondered.
Sleep Patterns:
Studies have investigated the correlation between the full moon and sleep patterns. In 2013, Cajochen et al. conducted a study published in the journal “Current Biology”1 that examined the quality of sleep and brain activity in relation to lunar phases. The findings revealed that participants experienced minor alterations in their sleep patterns during the full moon, characterized by slightly decreased sleep efficiency and increased time spent in a lighter sleep stage. Nevertheless, the clinical significance of these changes remains uncertain.
- Source: ‘Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep’ by Christian Cajochen 1, Songül Altanay-Ekici, Mirjam Münch, Sylvia Frey, Vera Knoblauch, Anna Wirz-Justice 2013 Aug 5;23(15):1485-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2013.06.029. Epub 2013 Jul 25. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23891110/
A Source of Inspiration for Poets and Artists
The Moon
by Robert Louis Stevenson
1850 – 1894
The moon has a face like the clock in the hall;
She shines on thieves on the garden wall,
On streets and fields and harbour quays,
And birdies asleep in the forks of the trees.
The squalling cat and the squeaking mouse,
The howling dog by the door of the house,
The bat that lies in bed at noon,
All love to be out by the light of the moon.
But all of the things that belong to the day
Cuddle to sleep to be out of her way;
And flowers and children close their eyes
Till up in the morning the sun shall arise.
The Full Moons to Look forward to in The Remaining Months of 2023:
If you feel the full moons affect you in any way, shape or form, despair not, for there are only three left to overcome for what is left of 2023.
October 28th
November 27th
December 27th