Bad sleep at full moon

Scientists see the influence of the moon on human sleep: bad sleep at full moon but no myth?

07/28/2013

Since time immemorial, the vernacular, handed down at full moon people suffer from sleep difficulties. Now researchers seem to have managed to prove this scientifically. Accordingly, people sleep shorter and less tight at full moon.

Previous studies re-evaluated
In the future, one does not have to smile mildly, if one claims full moon makes one sleep badly. Swiss scientists have succeeded in a study to prove that the quality of sleep decreases with increasing moon, as in the trade magazine „Current Biology“ to report. For this, the researchers around the Basel chronobiologist Christian Cajochen once again evaluated data from earlier studies in relation to the lunar cycle. The researchers analyzed information from 17 young adults and 16 elderly people who had spent several nights in a sleep laboratory. Their brain waves were recorded, as well as the movement of the eyes and the release of certain hormones, such as melatonin, which controls the day-night rhythm of the human body.

20 minutes less sleep
The subjects slept in the laboratory at similar times as at home, so as not to confuse the internal clock. The same conditions applied to everyone: low light, a temperature around 21 degrees Celsius, snacks and drinking water as needed. The participants were given neither clues to the time, nor to the current moon phase. The investigations showed that at full moon in the brain streams 30 percent less delta waves were found. These are considered signs of deep sleep. In addition, the subjects had taken an average of five minutes longer to fall asleep and the night's sleep was reduced by the bottom line by as much as 20 minutes.

First reliable proof
The participants themselves also found their sleep subjectively worse in these phases. In addition, the hormone levels dropped. At full moon, only half as much melatonin was released. The internal clock was probably a bit confused. „In contrast to the day-night rhythm, moon rhythms are not so obvious and difficult to document - but they do exist, "concludes the research group from Switzerland. „This is the first reliable proof that the moon phases can regulate human sleep behavior. "

Relic from bygone times
The researchers believe that this could be a relic from bygone days, when the moon was still an important clock for human coexistence. From the animal kingdom, especially in certain marine animals, it is known that the moonlight influence, for example, the reproductive behavior. The scientists explained that today the influence of the Earth's satellite is displaced by other influences of the modern world, such as electric light. Her conclusion, however, was: „Our internal clock still reacts to the rhythm of the moon today. "

Random find informative
Study leader Cajochen considers the data meaningful despite the small number of subjects. The study actually had a different theme, why neither the participants nor the researchers at the time in question thought of the moon. And all the test persons had been completely isolated from external influences or light in the sleep laboratory. In addition, all were very good sleepers. So far, however, the scientists are only assuming the reasons for the influence of the moon on man.

When falling asleep forget everyday problems
However, numerous other studies have found that full moon phases are not responsible for sleep problems or even sleepwalking. Only the thought and belief in it could make people sleep. If people, whether at full moon or at other times sleep difficulties, often help even simple means. „When falling asleep, it is crucial to relax and forget about everyday problems, "said Hans-Günter Weeß from the interdisciplinary sleep center in Klingenmünster, Palatinate, Germany.For the current nocturnal tropical temperatures, some sleep aid tips for tropical nights can be helpful.

Picture: Uwe Wagschal