Correlations Between the Moon and Aggressive Behaviours

When the full moon approaches we will get more excited, more aggressive and more violent, more suicides, not to mention hair growth, deliveries and werewolves. We have all heard such claims by asking whether they were true or not. Can the moon influence our behaviour and our organism?

Aggression

Can the full moon affect our moods? To find out, scientists have searched for statistical correlations between certain events and nights where the moon is most brilliant. For example, they wanted to know the moon can increase aggressive behaviour increased aggressive behaviour. Some looked at the number of admissions in hospitals on the night in question: there was apparently no correlation. Even if we look in detail the gunshot wounds, assaults with knives and other victims of violence were not evident to be on the increase, but if we look at the crimes, an evident increase in homicides was detected. Could it be the work of the werewolves?

Stress

What about the stress? Are we more stressful when the moon is full? To find out, English researchers have evaluated the number of calls in a listening and support centre. They discussed the link between the moon and anxiety. They say there is indeed a correlation with the moon, but only among women. These would be more nervous at the approach of the full moon. The explanation remains unclear, although scientists suggest a correlation with the menstrual cycle.

But other studies indirectly show that stress is not higher in the population in general: there were no more road accidents and more medical cases reported than in other days.

Moods

If the moon does not seem to upset us it may affect our moods. An English study showed that the full moon did not increase the number of professional consultations for depression or anxiety. French researchers looked at the number of suicides in the Dordogne, to see if it would increase on the night of a full moon. The results were on the contrary, there were less successful attempts when the moon was full.

Births

Many people are convinced that more children are born on the night of full moon than in other nights. This idea comes from the correlation between lunar cycle (29 days) and menstrual cycles (approximately 28 days). Midwives and gynaecologists say that maternity wards will be full up on those nights. But what is it really? The last study, conducted by U.S. scientists, presents a serious challenge to this idea. Researchers identified all births occurred in North Carolina over four years between 1997 and 2001, more than 500 000 deliveries. The result concluded that there were an identical number of births during the various phases of the lunar cycle. Similarly, there were no Caesarean births or twins during the night of the full moon. Pregnancy remains a mystery and we do not know precisely what affects the birth of a baby.

Ultimately, the full moon can affect animals and plants but it does not influence human nature. The only thing that increases on full moon nights are just superstitions!

Sources:

http://innerself.com/Astrology/full_moon.htm