Moon does not cause mental problems

No connection between the phases of the moon and mental problems: The Moon is popularly attributed to a significant influence on the psyche of humans, for example, in sleep problems, anxiety disorders or even increased suicidal thoughts to express. Canadian researchers led by Geneviève Belleville from the School of Psychology at the University of Laval in Quebec have now published a study in the journal General Hospital Psychiatry that investigates the effects of the "lunar cycles on anxiety, mood disorders, panic and suicidal thoughts on patients".

11/21/2012

According to the scientists, a significant proportion of the population is convinced of the impact of the lunar cycle on mental health. Even with medical staff such as nurses and nurses 80 percent see a connection between the moon and the psyche, with the physicians it is 64 percent, the researchers report. However, the results of their study show that there is really no connection between the different phases of the moon and mental health problems, according to Belleville and colleagues.

Moon phases without influence on the psyche?
Geneviève Belleville's research team used the data from 771 patients from the emergency rooms of two clinics to examine it. All patients were hospitalized between 2005 and 2008 due to unexplained chest pain or chest pain. Most of the patients were diagnosed with mental disorders such as panic attacks, anxiety disorders, mood swings and thoughts of suicide, the researchers explained the selection of study participants. Although the analysis of the data showed significant seasonal effects on panic and anxiety disorders - panic attacks were more common in the spring and anxiety disorders more often in the summer - but a general connection with the moon phases, the researchers could not find. "We could not see any effect of full moon or new moon on the mental disorders," said Geneviève Belleville. There is "no connection between the different phases of the moon and the occurrence of mental problems," the researchers write, but refer at the same time to a observed exception. For example, anxiety disorders had occurred 32 percent less frequently during the last quarter of the moon phase. However, this could be coincidence or caused by other factors that were not measured in advance, explained Belleville.

No sleep problems at full moon
Almost two years ago, Austrian sleep researchers had already investigated a possible connection between sleep problems and the lunar cycle, with the clear result: "full moon does not cause insomnia". The scientists had their subjects lead a so-called sleep diary, in which all sleeping difficulties should be recorded. When comparing the sleep diaries with the lunar calendar, however, the researchers were unable to detect any connections. When people associate the full moon with sleep problems, it is usually due to looking for an explanation for already existing sleep difficulties that the full moon offers. Over time, however, this could result in something like a self-fulfilling prophecy. Because in memory of the sleep problems during the last full moon night is expected in coming full moon nights again with comparable sleep difficulties. This idea alone makes some people sleep even worse, according to the experts. (Fp)