The Lunar Effect: Real Or Imagined?
Relax, don't rush out to get your silver bullets or wooden stakes just yet. As far as I know there's no monsters sighted at full moon. But something strange does seem to happen on those nights...
"The term lunar effect refers to real or imaginary correlations between specific stages of the roughly 29.5-day lunar cycle and behavior and physiological changes in living beings on Earth, including humans." Source: Wikipedia
picture by buschmann_36 - source: Pixabay
Although there's no conclusive scientific evidence to suggest a direct relation between the phase of the 29.5 day lunar cycle and human psychology or behavior, the so called Lunar Effect is something that has been occupying our collective minds for centuries. Myths about strange things happening and monsters appearing at full Moon have been with us since the Babylonians.
In recent times the question about special behavior on full Moons still interests us. In a June 13, 2007 article from LiveScience we read this:
For years, some who work in police and emergency services (such as doctors and nurses) have anecdotally claimed that full moon nights are busier, crazier, and more dangerous than nights when the moon is dim.
On the website from The National Center for Biotechnology Information we find information about a study done over three police stations in different towns in the years 1978 - 1982. In the abstract from that study we read the following:
The incidence of crimes committed on full moon days was much higher than on all other days, new moon days, and seventh days after the full moon and new moon.
And the reason why so many of these studies are not taken seriously is just a few sentences away:
The increased incidence of crimes on full moon days may be due to "human tidal waves" caused by the gravitational pull of the moon.
Human Tidal Waves... yeah, right. What about this much simpler approach: there's more light on a full moon!! So, when the moon is full, there could be more human activity in general. Maybe more people go outside to enjoy a nice summer-night and admire their surroundings by the abundant lunar-reflected sunlight; maybe they go out to admire the moon itself during a romantic evening stroll with a loved one. This general increase in outside activity could translate in slightly higher crime numbers.
source: Wikipedia
And maybe the criminals themselves take advantage of the light: I guess maybe theft, rape and murder are more "satisfying" when the criminal's actually able to see what he steals and who he rapes or murders. And if that's not the case in our times, I'm sure it could be an explanation for higher crime-rates at full Moons in the times before the light-bulb...
There's just a lot of circumstantial and anecdotal indications that the Werewolf myths hold a nucleus of truth: a full Moon does wake the beast inside of us... Maybe.
I read the NCBI article years ago, but since then I've encountered just as many studies and articles that state there's ultimately no statistical evidence to support the hypothesis that humans are more violent on full Moons. Also there's other possible explanations that have nothing to do with the lunar cycle, like the fact that a lot of people get payed once every 4 weeks and then have a few days with more money to spend on getting drunk in a bar or club.
There's just no study or evidence I know of that definitively proves the human Lunar Effect theory right or wrong. So, just take this as something to think about, a fun question to discuss among friends and family. And if you know of any scientific study or evidence that does prove this Lunar Effect on humans right or wrong, please share with us in the comments!
Recent articles you might be interested in:
Thanks for stopping by and reading. If you really liked this content, if you disagree (or if you do agree), please leave a comment. Of course, upvotes, follows, resteems are all greatly appreciated, but nothing brings me and you more growth than sharing our ideas. It's what Steemit is made for!
Just for Full Disclosure, I'm invested in these crypto-currencies:
Bitcoin | Litecoin | EOS | OmiseGo | FunFair | KIN | Pillar | DENT | Polymath | XDCE | 0x | Decred | Ethereum | Carmel | XYO
Upvote this for me please? https://steemit.com/christianity/@bible.com/verse-of-the-day-hebrews-4-16-nlt