What proof is there between a full moon and people acting kooky?

Answer 1

Here are some abstracts from recent scientific articles:

Dowling, Kevin W. (2005)
The research in this article sought to determine whether lunar phases affected the amount of domestic violence calls the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina, police department typically received. Data from almost half a million calls during particular phases of the moon were recorded to determine If any correlation existed between lunar cycles and domestic violence incident rates. The research concluded that no correlation exists. This article also explores, through past literature, reasons why many individuals in the law enforcement community continue to perceive a positive correlation between the presence of a full moon and an increase in incidents of domestic violence and general crime rates.

Kung, Simon; Mrazek, David A. (2004)
Presents a letter to the editor discussing Psychiatric Emergency Department Visits on Full-Moon Nights. Despite scientific reports that lunar phases are not associated with increased visits to general or psychiatric emergency departments, emergency staff still mutter "must be a full moon" on certain busy nights. This study examined psychiatric emergency department visits to tertiary referral center from January 1, 1997, to December 31, 2001. It included patients seen for primary and secondary psychiatric reasons and only those patients were counted who registered between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. It was reasoned that this 12-hour period captured a majority of the night when the full moon would have been visible. For the five-year investigation period, there were 1,826 nights, of which 186 fit the definition of the full-moon effect. The finding agrees with those of other studies that showed no association between the full moon and increased patient contacts.

Answer 2

None whatsoever.
A number of studies have been done that show there is no connection of any kind, yet people still believe there is despite the evidence. One of funniest incidents involved a hospital -- nurses and doctors swore they were busier and with more difficult emergency cases on full moon nights, so a science group analyzed admittance and treatment records for 3 years -- turns out full moon nights were no busier on average than any other night. When shown the results of the records analysis, most of the doctors and nurses said they didn't believe the study results, because they KNEW things were worse during a full moon -- despite being presented with concrete evidence that they were wrong. :)

This has been a common belief for a very long time, but it's never been true. We get the word "lunacy" from the idea that people go crazy because of the moon. No correlation of any kind, sorry.

Answer 3

Ask anybody who works with people from day to day... they will tell you that it does have some kind of effect on behavior.

example: I know quite a few people who are teachers... they will come home and say "It was a crazy day! Everyone was off-base! -the teachers, students,etc." Then, you walk outside and see there's a full moon... People in other disciplines who work with people all day will tell you there's a difference. -it may be just psychological - many people know when the full moon is, so they act a little crazier unconsciously because it is... and then it has the domino effect to other people...

Be it that there have been studies saying it doesn't Increase police or hospital contact with criminals/patients.... maybe the study asked the wrong questions.. maybe it is the intensity or craziness of the criminals and the patients that they do run into on that day.

Answer 4

No -- there's no vast difference. Celestial bodies do not have a diverse result on residing beings because they ensue to be totally lit somewhat than partly lit. The pull of the moon does have an result on particular such issues as water (yet not mood), yet save in ideas -- the pull is an identical no matter if you will discover the moon, and no matter if this is the finished or new moon has actual not some thing to do with how close or a techniques the moon is from the earth. we've a tendency to word issues more advantageous on an entire moon because we make reason and result links that are literally not warranted. a lot of human beings say this is hotter on an entire moon, even as somewhat, this is less warm by way of lack of clouds. maximum persons do not even comprehend even as the finished moon is besides.

Answer 5

Actually there was a show on the Science Channel a couple of months ago about the moon.

There's no "scientifically proven" link between the two, but you can tell by all the other answers that there must be some sort of connection!

Answer 6

Most kooky people don't need a full moon to act that way.

Answer 7

None really.
Though, as you know, the moon plays a vital role on the Earth's tides due to it's gravity.
If some correlation could be proved between a slight change in gravity and brain chemistry, then maybe a connection could be made.

Answer 8

The proof is in the pudding as the old saying goes. Arrest are always higher during a full moon according to police. ER's see more accidents during a full moon. Weird but true.

Answer 9

There's no scientific evidence of a direct correlation. However, the full moon provides a lot more light, so I think people tend to come out and do stupid stuff.

Answer 10

No, but anyone who has ever worked in an ER room or in a clinic will tell you there is something going on during a full moon.