The effect of the moon on our health and happiness has always been the subject of great interest. The ancients believed that the fortunes of humans moved in cycles, just like the moon. As a matter of fact, the name of the Roman goddess of the moon, Luna, would be very familiar to you because of its use as the prefix in the word for madness, lunacy.
To say that the moon causes madness may be going too far, but studies have shown that there are lots of conditions and ailments that flare up during the period of the full moon. These studies indicate that diseases like epilepsy, gout, anxiety and depression peak during this period. Hospitals always anticipate increased arrivals of traffic accident victims and other casualty admissions when the moon is full. Police departments will testify to the fact that they see a lot of homicidal activity and rash behavior at this time of the month. Amazingly enough, even absenteeism spikes during this period.
The reasons for this are still unclear even though there have been many suggestions put forth over the years. One supposed reason is that the gravitational pull of the moon is the highest during this period. This is believed to have a direct effect on the human body which is composed of 70% water. The belief is that the moon’s gravitational pull has the same effect on the human body as it has on all the seas, lakes etc on earth.
There are quite a few inconsistencies with this line of thinking. In the first place, the gravitational pull of the moon remains constant irrespective of whether it is waxing or waning. Just because we can’t see the moon does not mean that it is not there. Similarly, the water inside our bodies cannot be separately affected by lunar gravity. It affects only bodies of open water.
It is very likely that most of the behavior long associated with the moon such as insomnia, seizures and mental illness had some other cause. Researchers believe that fungus in badly preserved food, which was quite common in those days, could have been the real reason for the hallucinations that were perhaps diagnosed as madness. Also, in the days before street lighting, a full moon would have seemed much brighter than it does today, and this could cause sleeplessness and anxiety and thereby push a person over the edge.
While these reasons have now been discredited, doctors and scientists are keeping their minds open about the effect the moon has on human beings. This subject does need a lot more research, particularly on the moon’s impact on internal body rhythms due to the effect its light has on the pineal gland.
Irrespective of what the real reasons are, doctors, emergency technicians and the police brace themselves for a busy few days when the moon is at the fullest and brightest. If you know someone who is prone to depression, alcoholism or rash behavior, they could do with some extra attention now.
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