When Was the Last Time You Howled at the Moon?
June 14, 2007 by Alicia Sparks, Mental Health Notes
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
For 27 years my mother worked in our local court system, and for 27 years she’s sworn that full moons affect a person’s behavior. According to her, there are always more arrests on nights with full moons and the reasons for the arrests are always more bizarre. I believed her because A) she’s my mother; she has to be right, right? and B) it was just too intriguing and mysterious to pass off as coincidence.
Well, my fascination with the mysterious powers of the full moon was somewhat dampened today when I read Strange Things Do Happen at Full Moon. Sure, the article title excited me, but it’s a bit deceiving.
You see, researchers Ivan Kelly, James Rotton, and Roger Culver
examined more than 100 studies of alleged lunar effects and found no significant correlation between phases of the moon and disasters, homicide rates, etc. Furthermore, there is no known mechanism by which the moon would somehow influence a person’s mind to make him more dangerous—except of course for his own expectations.
Hmph.
The article goes on to explain that there’s an increase in human activity on nights with full moons because there’s more light outside. When there’s more human activity, there’s more chance that crimes and other strange acts will happen.
Double hmph. I prefer thinking the moon has some kind of enigmatic force that affects our minds.
What do you think about full moons and their effects on our ways of thinking, decision-making processes, and behavior? Had any first-hand experience with strange behavior occurring on nights with full moons? Share!
That’s crazy!! I thought I was just supersticious.
Well this kind of makes sense. I too believe that there is a higher number of “issues” with folks on full moons. I always thought is was some mystical power but then again.. so is everything until science comes around
My husband’s and daughter’s bipolar disorder is greatly effected by the full moon. I have no idea why, just have learned to expect the unexpected during these times. I wish it was superstition but know better. :
Bowrag:
I always thought is was some mystical power but then again.. so is everything until science comes around
VERY well put!
Leigh: I think I’m leaning towards your thoughts on the matter. I’ve been known to do some wild things on full moon nights myself; whether or not that’s because of some phenomenon, who knows. But I definitely know it’s not because of “more light” outside! That “more light” explanation just doesn’t cut it for me.
I have to agree with you that the full moon does have some effects on sensitive individuals. I myself have panic disorder and my attacks definately correspond to the moon cycles. I have also been a psychiatric nurse and have seen firsthand the increase in behaviors. Even elderly patients with alzheimers who dont know their own children let alone know the moon cycle…..become much more confused and can become quite aggressive during the full moon phase. Just wanted to get my two cents in here.
Thanks so much for chiming in, Tania – my interest in the matter increases each time a professional in the field has had the same experiences.
The article’s explanation of the culprit being that there’s “more light outside” certainly wouldn’t matter to Alzheimer patients, would it!
Hi Alicia,
The only time I have seen time of day affect psychogeriatric patients is where “sundowners” is concerned. There symptoms of agitation increase as the sun sets. So even that wouldnt explain the increase in aggression etc during the full moon because that of course increases the light. Its kinda funny actually. I can tell you when the full moon is coming and the exact day it falls on without even looking at the calendar. My own anxiety problems flare up in the three days prior. My husband now just looks at my face and remarks “must be a full moon coming eh?”. lol. I believe in it wholeheartedly. Thanks for your response!!
I am bi polar, and the mania part of this illness comes to head each full moon. My mood disorder cycles w/ the moon. Whats even more weird is that I was born on Easter which has something to do w/ the way the moon is in the Spring Solstice. Thanks for this web site because if you look at official studies there is no connection between mental illness and the lunar cycles. Email me… cccgismr@hotmail.com
Here is my theory, I believe it is the barametric pressure of the moon that allows our body to produce more natural chemicals in the brain during the full moons. Sure enough it plays havic with those on Antidepressants/ medciation indicated for bipolar depression. Mania/ increased anxiety lasting three days leading up to the full moon returnuning back to normal production afterwards often leaving depression and fatigue. It sure would be nice to dream about a sliding scale dosages based on a yearly lunar cycle. We could prevent a lot of hospitalizations.
Very interesting theory, Scott. I’m sure if this were the case, and we used sliding scale dosages to manage it, we would prevent so much in addition to hospitalizations! Thanks for chiming in!
Hi, I totally agree as I have suffered from Anxiety and a Panic disorder for the past 20years, I usually have no problems for the rest of the month except around the full moon when my disorder is at its worst. I can predict when it is a full moon without looking in the sky my disorder lets me know. My condition usually starts about 2 days before the full moon and passes the day after the full moon.
Regards,
Patrick
Hey there Patrick…..funny you should say that….I know instinctively that there is a full moon pending within about a week. I do not have any need for a calendar either……strange isn’t it? I work in mental health and can say with absolute honesty….my patience level decreases to an all time low in the full moon phase….my normally compassionate and level self just erodes….sometimes I think it would be nice if someone could come up with a really logical answer to why the moon does affect some people in this manner.
Tania
It’s really hard to beleive little research is conducted into this Phenomenon.
I read an acticle once saying that there is not enough evidence to prove that the moon has an affect.
After the full moon has past I get quite depressed and become widthdrawn, this only lasta day or so, I put it down to tiredness as it can really take it out of you.
I also have the exact same cycle with the build up of a storm. In Queensland Australia we have a cycle of afternoon thunder storms but the build up is very steamy and the humidity is usually quite high so I beleive atmospheric play its part.
Regards,
Patrick
Consider that the stages of the lunar cycle have a direct pull and affect on tidal conditions. Add to this that human bodies are something like 95% water. Wouldn’t it seem likely that the pull of the lunar cycle could cause us to literally be “off balance.” Thanks for the discussion.
@ bluespastor – Hey, that’s really interesting. I hadn’t thought of it like that!
Thanks for this venue. My 28 yr. old son, has within the last month had his first 2 manic episodes–the youngest of 3 siblings with bipolar disorder. He just mentioned to me this morning that he didn’t sleep all night because it was a full moon. Asked if he took his meds, his answer was yes, but he’d have to have taken 5 times more to have made a difference. He told me that since he was 17, he hasn’t been able to sleep on full moon nights. Because of that comment, I Goggled this subject to see if he was in company of others with this phenomenon. I see that he is.
As a teacher, random comments from other teachers regarding student behavior linked to the full moon are now more credible. Very intruinging. Thanks.
I have not visited this site in awhile but got the last comment in my email inbox. We have just come out of a full moon and I was forced to use my anti anxiety meds for both Saturday and Sunday. I have been keeping track in a journal and the last time it happened was the last full moon in December. I was intrigued by the answer that the body is 98% water and that the lunar cycle has a direct affect on tides etc. Interesting though…..now if we could just come up with some way to deter this from happening life would settle down somewhat. My eldest son has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. One of his obsessions is to call me non stop until I pick up the phone. Even if I am out he will call more than 10 times in a row. This behavior triples on a full moon. Be interested to see what others have yet to say on this subject!