Full Moon Rising
April StolarzIssue date: 1/29/10 Section: Blogs
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I've often heard that the full moon causes people to act differently- friskier, stranger, and even a little crazier.
What's up with all this full moon talk? Does the full moon truly affect human behavior or is it just a myth?
First of all, the moon has been doomed since its birth name. "Lunatic" stems from "luna".
Studies have been done comparing the lunar phases to births, heart attacks, deaths, suicides, violence, psychiatric hospital admissions and epileptic seizures. Most of these studies have found no correlation.
However, there has been a correlation found with lunar phases and menstruation cycles, pet injuries, and animal attacks.
When it comes to the full moon, who needs science anyway? Just because there's no scientific evidence to back something up, it doesn't necessarily mean it can't happen.
Confession: I'm a pretty superstitious person in general and definitely believe the full moon affects our moods.
Here are some of my theories on why the full moon is associated with behavioral changes:
1. The amount of water in a human body typically ranges from 60%-90%. The moon causes water to do all sorts of different things. For one, the moon affects tides and the pull of the ocean. Scientists say tides don't exist on smaller scales but with billions and billions of people in this world, I'd say together we provide a pretty big scale of water for the moon to toy with.
2. Growing up in a world laden with fairy-tale Disney movies and werewolves howling at the moon horror movies has definitely hyped up the romanticism associated with the full moon. Fall in love under the stars with the full moon shining bright. Run from wolves and witches with the full moon in prime view.
3. When the moon's shining, it essentially provides an extra light in the sky. Because of this, people stay awake longer, they have problems sleeping, and they might even be caught lurking in alleyways and other odd places.
So tonight, whatever you do, remember that the moon will be shining bigger and brighter than it will be all year and remember to watch out for odd behavior. Observe other people to see if they're acting differently. Pay attention to your mood. But maybe, everyone will act normal and you'll just assume people will act differently because it's a full moon. Or maybe they act strange at other times but you only realize it tonight because it's a full moon. Either way, beware of the crazies and the werewolves.
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