why is it when there is a full moon bad things happen ?

Answer 1

Some individuals believe our body rhythms to be tied into the cycle of the moon. I believe it is more of a mass subconscious idea that has been pushed into our head so many times we end up acting on it. The emergency rooms and police stations are always at capacity on a full moon.

Answer 2

Despite the unabashed enthusiasm for this among many police officers and nurses, (among others), there is no such effect. This is an impressive example of self-confirming bias. And these people will *swear* by it. But they don't realize they are counting the hits and ignoring the misses.

All research that has been done has shown no correlation. The couple of articles that appeared back in the seventies, (I think), seemed to show an impressive correlation. But when that research was examined closely, it ranged anywhere from shoddy and unscientific to downright ridiculous and deliberately misleading. Sure, if you mine the data long enough, you will find correlations between any two things you choose. But that kind of selection is like only recording the bowling frames where you got a mark, and then going around telling everyone you're a 230 bowler.

Kristina, "they" are almost always wrong. And the tidal effect has been thoroughly debunked. It is utterly insignificant and there is no theory at all for how it could affect human behavior.

Elena, it HAS been scientifically explained. The things you say aren't true. But then, lots of people believe in ghosts and Ets squashing crops, psychics, and astrology.

There are NOT more babies born, or more murders, or more mental illness, or more crime. The moon does NOT rule the human menstrual cycle. The tidal effect of the moon on us is about a trillionth of the tiny effect it has on the earth. Tidal effect is the amount of gravitational pull over a *distance*. The earth is 6900 miles in diameter, we're a few feet. How much harder do you think the moon is pulling on your head than on your feet? What about when it is to your side, to your other side, overhead, and what about if you are laying down. The moon pulls on you, as little as it does, from every conceivable direction during just a few hours. How could anybody consider this belief reasonable, especially when all the legitimate research shows no effect at all.

Santa Claus, that would be an interesting theory if more crimes took place during the full moon phase, but they don't. These people claim more births, more stillbirths, and more ER activity, and many other things which even the most ardent believer couldn't pin on moonlight. And I doubt that the moon has had much of an affect on our levels of outdoor activity since the invention of the electric light bulb, wouldn't you? Finally, don't most crimes take place indoors and/or in the cities where the moon's light would have little or no effect?

Baja, nice idea, but it really has to be a blinded study or it will lead to exactly the same results it has always led to, when people are trying to confirm their own beliefs. Just get records of crimes or ER activity or births or whatever. They shouldn't be too hard to get. Then look at patterns, if any, for a *pre-specified* period of time. Try to detect any pattern of 26 to 30 day frequency. THEN, after you have made a judgment, compare to lunar cycles. Done properly, all correlations disappear.

Answer 3

There is evidence to support both sides of this argument. However, it is likely that when something bad happens just by chance on the full moon, we are more likely to recall the event since a full moon is so easy to notice and spectacular besides.

You could run your own experiment for a year and keep track on new moon, first quarter, full moon and last quarter (and maybe one other phase such as 5 days before full moon) and record all murders, robberies, deaths, and accidents reported daily in the town in which you live. Then you might discover something interesting, or that bad things just happen randomly during the month.

Answer 4

the moon is full about once a month... more or less full about 3-4 days a month...

now, if no babies were born during 3-4 days a month and no robberies, murders, presidential debates were held, would you believe that No Bad Things Happen During a Full Moon? Of course not!

You believe what you believe. Right or wrong, no one is going to convince you, so... Here's to you Mr I Believe The Moon Makes Me Murder!

Answer 5

I agree with Santa: there is probably no impact of the moon at all, except that it provides more light.

For all of recorded history, armies have taken advantage of the light of the full moon to stage night attacks, for instance. That could qualify as a "bad thing."

But the moon doesn't really exert any influence on our behavior.

Answer 6

They say full moon days are the worst in mental health hospitals, theres more crime and people generally go a little crazier. My theory? Well the body is made up of 70% water, and you can see the effect the moon has on the tides, the greatest effect ( high and low tide ) occurs when there is a full moon. What i believe is that the moons force effects the water in the body and especially that of the impulses in the brain making us more active and up to more mischef.

Answer 7

Because there is more light!!! More light = more activity. People are more restless during a full moon because the additional light from the moon inhibits the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate circadian rhythms. More crime happens because there is more light to see by. The moon does exert a gravitational pull but it is so weak compared to the earth's that it is very very likely it has no effect on us at all.

Answer 8

I have friends who work in Prisons, Mental Institutions, Police and Medical Professions.

More crimes may be reported on the full moon but studies show the amount of crimes occurring is the same as other days. Researchers have done several studies the results are duplicated.

Answer 9

Because bad things happen everyday regardless of where the moon is shining.

Answer 10

It's true! More babies are born, more things happen, people don't sleep as well. It's the Lunacy! I don't know if it's ever been scientifically explained, but the moon controls the tides and a woman's cycle is based on a lunar calenday... I think it's something spiritual, actually.