Lunar Lunacy: Fascinating Effects of a Full Moon
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Effects of a Full Moon
I decided to write about Lunar Lunacy since we just had a full moon the other evening. I have always been intrigued with the fascinating topic of a full moon and it's possible effects on mood and behavior in people. So much so, that I wrote a research paper on it in my college days and received great feedback about the captivating subject.
Let me start out by explaining what a full moon actually is: Wikipedia states that a full moon happens "when the sun and moon are on opposite sides of the earth." Some researchers believe that the gravitational changes that occur during a full moon, may affect a person's physiology make up which can cause changes in behavior. An interesting article in the "Scientific American," talks about the Greek philosopher Aristotle and Roman historian Pliny the Elder-It suggests that the brain is the "moistest" organ in the body and is therefore the most susceptible to the full moon's unfavorable influences which triggers the tides. Miami Psychiatrist Arnold Lieber, a more contemporary author, was another follower of this belief. Conversely, the late astronmer George Abell of the University of California, Los Angeles, noted, "a mosquito sitting on our arm exerts more powerful gravitational pull on us than the moon does."
Let me be clear, research to date has not yet supported the claim that we act luny because of a full moon. There are those on both sides of this debate. In my research, I found proponents of the lunar lunacy theory have either experienced the erratic behavior personally or have witnessed it because of working in a particular field. For purposes of this hub, it doesn't matter to me whether or not research backs up the theory of lunar lunacy. I am merely intrigued with the "what ifs" of this lunar enigma and have experienced it's effects as a counselor.
My experience as a Crisis Phone Counselor has proven to me that we're in some way connected with nature, just like the tides, during a full moon. The phones rang off the hook when the moon was full and we made sure to staff accordingly during a lunar event.
© 2011 Linda Rogers
Although research has not yet validated the 'Lunar Lunacy effect', this is a list of possible effects that have come from proponents of the theory.
- Mental health issues seem to worsen during full moons. Schizophrenics show the greatest deterioration in mental well-being and quality of life.
- There is increased admissions to psychiatric wards and hospitals during a full moon.
- Suicides and homicides increase during a full moon.
- Phone lines at anonymous phone counseling clinics, ring off the hook during a full moon.
- The word lunatic actually comes from the word "luna" (latin for moon) and has connotations of the belief that a full moon causes deviant behavior.
- A full moon triggers physiological changes in epileptic patients which induces seizures.
- There is an increase in crime during a full moon.
- There is an increase in police calls for domestic disturbances during a full moon.
- Eastern European women notice a problem with menstrual cycles during a full moon.
- There is an increase in traffic accidents during a full moon.
- During the Middle Ages in Europe, the term, "Transylvania Effect" and/or "Lunar Lunacy" was used to describe how a full moon could transform people into werewolves or Vampires.
- Hospitalization for Gastro-intestinal bleeding in males tend to rise when there is a full moon.
- Full moon mythology has persisted throughout history.
Do you believe a full moon can affect a person's behavior
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Interesting hub. I had no idea about the full moon affecting our minds.
My mother used to work as a nurse in a state hospital and I remember her dreading to go to work on nights with a full moon and she always had some pretty wild stories to tell. I've always found this subject interesting and it's even better now with Halloween on the way :)
Thanks for an interesting hub. I enjoy reading about the possible effects of the full moon on humans - it's a fascinating topic!
Yip - the effects of a full moon are real.... you made a
cool choice for song/video - well done
My grandmother was a nurse in a hospital and she told me that they always increased their staff in the emergency room and maternity ward on the day of a full moon. They'd learned from experience there would be a need.
The moon is nearest us in space so why not! I think we are affected in some way and since the gravity from the moon can affect the oceans it also should have an effect on humans. I am not sure if we can blame our behaviour on the moon though:)) Either way, it is an interesting topic and I enjoyed reading,
Tina
I'm in agreement. I work in a field where I can predict a full moon based upon on the behavior of the individuals supported. Nothing like a "Moondance" under the light of a full moon on a clear Fall night. Nice work...Cool song choice.
Happyboomernurse-Thanks for reading my hub on a full moon. I too believe in Lunar Lunacy as I worked for a Crisis Phone Counseling Clinic and our phones rang off the hook during full moons. I think it's such a cool topic
Hi INDIANDOC- I think the lunar lunacy is such a fascinating topic. I bet you've seen things as a doctor when there's a full moon. I sure did when I use to do phone counseling.
Wow Jamie-What a great example of someone who works in a field where this theory comes to life. I bet she had some crazy stories to tell. You should write a hub on some of the stories :-)
Hi Alicia-I thought with Halloween coming, this would be a good time to write about lunar lunacy. It's a cool subject.
Thanks for the nice compliment on my song choice. It was between this Van Morrison song and Creedence Clearwater Revival. I just love Van the Man!
Sinea-I love hearing all these stories about how the lunar lunacy theory is real. This is a great example you mentioned with them increasing staff in the hospital. Thanks for sharing :-)
Tina-A great point you make is that we can't BLAME our behavior on the full moon-True, we are affected but need to take accountability for bad behaviors. Thanks so much for stopping by, I appreciate it :-)
DexisView-So you also are in a field where you see this lunacy at work. It's so interesting. I too saw it when I was a phone counselor at a Crisis Line. Thx for the compliment on my song choice. Van Morrison is a classic.
Minnetonka Twin,
I write about Astrology and subjects related, and was thinking of writing a hub on this topic. But you did a great job. I also know that police get many more calls for domestic disturbances during full moons. In ancient times, all the women who lived in tribes had their menstrual cycles begin at the Full Moon, and they would go into the woods for a few days (nice girl's time out for a few days)! Loved Moondance too!
When I worked as an aide in a nursing home, I could tell there was a full moon on the rise just by observing the change in behavior exhibited by the residents. When I was a teacher, I also noticed a difference in students' behaviors before a full moon. Even if it is not supported by research, I fully believe the full moon affects the minds of some people. ;) Thanks for sharing this interesting information!
Hi Jean-Thanks for reading my hub on Lunar Lunacy. It really is a fun topic to talk about. There is something so intriguing about a full moon. Glad you liked my song choice.
Thanks for coming by PracticalMommy. I am loving hearing all these stories of people that see the lunacy theory in their jobs and fields. We are a part of nature and it does make sense that we are affected.
Good hub. I have often wondered what it is about the full moon that seems to cause people to act differently. Is it all in our heads or is there some scientific studie relating full moons to bad behavior.
During my research I found both for and against the theory but my own experience as well as others that have commented, surely show there is something about a full moon that affects us. As a phone counselor the phones rang off the hook during a full moon.
You make some good points here. I haven't thought about that much lately. I believe strange events can happen when the moon is full, among other things. All your fun facts are interesting. Voted up and interesting MT.
AWW, thx lyricwriter for all the buttons you hit. It is a really intriguing subject and one that myself and others have seen illustrated in our fields of work.
I once saw a "lunar rainbow". It was during a full moon when out sailing on the open ocean. I'll never forget it.
WOE! What does a lunar rainbow look like? What a once in a lifetime experience. Thanks so much for sharing that :-)
I think this is a very interesting hub. As an RN who has worked in trauma type settings I believe in the lunar lunacy. I would also love to see a lunar rainbow. They must be rare. Rated up!
Hi Pamela-I bet you've seen a lot of this as an RN. I bet it got very chaotic during a full moon. Thanks for rating this hub up, I really appreciate that.
There are times that I have trouble sleeping when there is a fool moon and I do think that there is something to it. I have heard teachers complain too during a full moon. I think it is more scientific than superstitious though.
Interesting info.
I dont know if any of these facts are true but it was an interesting hub to read keep it up.
Hi Tamarajo-Ahh, forgot to talk about teachers and how they see more shananigans in the classroom during full moon cycles. Thanks for the reminder on that one.
Hi Spotlight-Ya, like I said, some researchers believe it and some don't but for me as I said in the hub, My experience as a crisis counselor really showed how a full moon made our phones ring off the hook and not only with chronic phone callers but newbies that had never called us before. No matter what, it's a topic that fascinates me. Thanks so much for coming by :-)
hmmm interesting..btw I love that pic eye catching
Thanks Youngcurves-I thought it was fitting to do a harvest moon since it's October. Thanks for coming by and reading my hub on a full moon's effect :-)
This was fascinating. It seems there must be something in this theory, however much we may not want to believe it. Some things just too strange. I´d like to find more on the subject.
Thank you for this great hub
Hi Dim Flaxenwick and thank you for coming by. Thanks for reading my full moon hub. It is a fun topic.
Hi, fascinating stuff, stomach bleed? Wow! I can understand the other effects but I must admit that one has me intrigued! rated up! fascinating!
Ya, I thought that was weird too Nell, about the stomach thing. Yikes! :-0 It is a fun subject to chat about.
Very Interesting facts. I've heard many parents swear the full moon effects their childrens behaviour.
Completely fascinating and totally interesting. Voting up and pressing the appropriate buttons too.
Thanks Rob-It is a cool subject. I bet parents have seen it in the kids. Never wrote that one down.
Thanks Acaetnna-I appreciate the vote and hitting buttons for me.
Voted up and interesting. I know for a fact that lunar phases effect our moods and lives. So did the ancient peoples and that is why there are so many goddesses and gods related to the moon in ancient times. I always thought that if our bodies are made up of over 60% water and the moon effects the tides of water, why wouldn't it effect our bodies? Thanks for this interesting hub.
Hi Kitty-Wow,you know a lot about this subject. Yes, the idea that were made up of so much water does make the full moon theory believable. I also found information about the Gods and Goddesses in my research and found it amazing that this concept goes so far back. Thank you very much for voting this up and interesting.
What a great read,
I thoroughly enjoyed this hub Minntonka.
The moon can move oceans it's true!... Pliny may have been onto something hey?
Who knows.
Thanks for a great read and for Van the Man.
Tonkatruck don't forget to ask questions in the other place too.
Hi Molometer-I am so glad you liked my lunar hub. It's always a subject that I've always loved reading about. We are definitely connected to naure so why not the moon. What did you mean in your last line of your comment?
What a pity that they don't ask real people about the influence of the moon on our lives. You have written a worthwhile hub which was very informative and pleasant to read.
Thanks so much Mark. Your right on about real people knowing more than the researchers. Many of us experience the lunar lunacy concept.
I loved this article Minnetonka. What an interesting subject. I think it may be right that we change during the full moon. There is always a different energy present when there is a full moon. I wonder exactly what happens in our brain during that time to make us that way? LOL.
I'm so glad you liked this topic Caroline. I know people react to full moons after being a phone counselor. I will never forget how pooped we all got answering so many calls.
Like you, I've always been fascinated with the reports of lunar activity on earth. Like you, I am in the mental health field and know first hand that whether it is the moon or the illusion of the lunacy stories, there is an increase in acting out and thus admissions to inpatient units on the full moon. :) Nice hub-rated up.
Hi Denise and great to see a new follower here. Yes, you would know being in the mental health field about how crazy things can get with a full moon. It is a fun subject!
Cascoly-If you go back and read my hub, I clearly state that research hasn't proved it to be and that it doesn't matter to me as that is not what my hub is about. I have experienced some interesting things during a full moon as someone in the mental health field and if you look at the comments people have left here, you can see many in the mental health fields and nursing etc... have had the same experiences. It was just meant to be a fun hub, not a research paper. I appreciate your feedback :-)
Believer here. talked to too many EMTs , police and store managers etc who've said the full moon has an effect on people and animals too for that matter. One deputy of a fair sized county even said they sometimes had an extra officer work nights on them. Anyway this was fun and interesting Minnetonka!
I'm glad you enjoyed the hub Alastar. I think the whole proposition of the full moon effecting us is a intriguing theory, whether or not it's proven. I know in my field of Psychology/mental health, we saw it all the time.
thanks for editing the part of your hub that said the effects proposed for a full moon came from 'scientific magazine'. but what happened to my actual comment?
to all others, i repeat the question i posed in my hub aqnswering this one - MANY peopleclaim they noticed effects due to the full moon - but how many of these trauma units, ploice officers, etc actually CHECFKED to see if there was a full moon. These types of studies HAVE been done,m and they show that there IS NO increase in crime, births etc at the full moon.
we're all entitled to our beliefs, but we're NOT all entitled to make up our own facts
Great hub Minnetonka Twin
In the mental health field I know that the moon has some mental health pull on my clients. There is more people than ever in crisis mode. It helps me to prepare for the inevitable tougher day.
Hi Healing Touch-Ya, we prepared too at the crisis center and always staffed more counselors. We would get so many calls and we'd be exhausted by the end of our shift. Although research does not prove this theory; I have experienced it in the mental health field. I find it a fascinating topic that many of us in the field talked about in my college days and then in my working days in the field. Thanks for coming by Laura :-)
My husband was a deputy for many years. He would call me on a break occasionally and ask me to look up when the full moon was. I would look it up and it would be that night. He always said that explained the weird stuff that was happening.
He got a call one night that there was a man running over all the roofs in a housing area. They get out there and it is some guy in a cape, claiming to be a vampire. They finally caught him, not easily, and he bit one of the officers. They all kidded him for a while that he was going to turn into a vampire too. It was good for a lot of laughs.
What a great story Becky and another great example of that full moon lunacy. I'm so glad you shared your husband's story-I wonder what was up with that guy up on roofs. He's probably in jail these days or in a funny farm. LOL
have you ever thought if werewolves are out there on nights of full moons. dont say there not real it just takes time cause us people make them sound like murderers in the movies so they may have hidden in places were we cant find
Happyboomernurse Level 8 Commenter 7 months ago
Cool hub with fun facts whether you believe them or not. I for one, however, am a believer that a full moon does affect our brains and for some people, also their behavior. Voted up, useful and interesting.