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Science & Technology

Can the moon really affect human behavior ?

By T.K. Randall
May 11, 2016 · Comment icon 36 comments

Can the phases of the moon affect how we sleep ? Image Credit: CC BY-2.0 Jason Bache
A new study has attempted to answer once and for all how lunar phases affect our moods and actions.
The phases of the moon have long held spiritual and metaphysical significance for mankind and even today remain associated with everything from bouts of erratic behavior to sleep deprivation.

Now though, in a renewed bid to find out if the moon really can make a difference to how we behave, a team of researchers from the Eastern Ontario Research Institute have analyzed the sleeping patterns of 5,812 children during several different phases of the moon.
Conducted over 28 months, the study found that there was a mere 5 minute difference between the average amount of sleep recorded during a full moon and that recorded during a new moon.

"Our study provides compelling evidence that the moon does not seem to influence people's behavior," said Dr. Jean-Philippe Chaput. "The only significant finding was the 1% sleep alteration in full moon, and this is largely explained by our large sample size that maximizes statistical power."

"Overall, I think we should not be worried about the full moon. Our behaviors are largely influenced by many other factors like genes, education, income and psychosocial aspects rather than by gravitational forces."

Source: EurekAlert.org | Comments (36)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #27 Posted by Poppi 8 years ago
Worked at an old folks home, across the street from my grade 9 school. Bobby Curtola's mom lived there, and pulled some strings i guess. Watched a small concert he played there. Remember it because he said it was his wedding anniversary, i got his autograph and wished him a happy anniversary...he was touched and thanked me. Was hired to do small maintenance at the home after school. Hung out with the nurses during coffee breaks. Heard some pretty weird stories. Some real weird stories from nurses who'd nursed for many years...Full moon would be busier than normal.
Comment icon #28 Posted by Arbenol 8 years ago
Worked at an old folks home, across the street from my grade 9 school. Bobby Curtola's mom lived there, and pulled some strings i guess. Watched a small concert he played there. Remember it because he said it was his wedding anniversary, i got his autograph and wished him a happy anniversary...he was touched and thanked me. Was hired to do small maintenance at the home after school. Hung out with the nurses during coffee breaks. Heard some pretty weird stories. Some real weird stories from nurses who'd nursed for many years...Full moon would be busier than normal. I work in mental health and m... [More]
Comment icon #29 Posted by Poppi 8 years ago
Someone here has a tag line quoting Shakespeare. ...more things under the stars...someone help me out without google. '35 (?) year old disputes millenniums of knowledge- wants you to explain life by reading the internet'
Comment icon #30 Posted by Arbenol 8 years ago
This one? And he was right.
Comment icon #31 Posted by Lilly 8 years ago
I have long thought that so called 'lunacy' was simply that people are generally more active when there's more light. A full moon produces lighter evenings so more people go forth into the world to do the good, the bad, the ugly (a Clint Eastwood analogy there).
Comment icon #32 Posted by Poppi 8 years ago
#31 Yes, thanks. Shakespeare was a smart guy and clearly tuned into issues humanity deals with all the time. Ghosts included.
Comment icon #33 Posted by Poppi 8 years ago
Recall- all things, under heaven and earth...ive got that wrong
Comment icon #34 Posted by Emma_Acid 8 years ago
Two points ~ One ~ I believe the moon affects behaviours, how can it not. The moon gives our oceans their tides. Since humans are about 60% water would it not make sense that the moon would affect humans the way it affects our oceans. Firstly, tides are much more complicated than just "being pulled by the moon". And secondly, what does this have to do with the phases of the moon? There isn't "more moon" just because its a full moon. You can just see more of it.
Comment icon #35 Posted by Noteverythingisaconspiracy 8 years ago
I have long thought that so called 'lunacy' was simply that people are generally more active when there's more light. A full moon produces lighter evenings so more people go forth into the world to do the good, the bad, the ugly (a Clint Eastwood analogy there). There you go again using logic as an explanation. Stop that at once ! The same applies to you Emma !
Comment icon #36 Posted by Poppi 8 years ago
Earth wins the stellar lottery. God must love us best. We just happened to get a moon that revolves perfectly for earth. Considering the numbers, life most probably infests our universe.


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