The Surprising Impact of the Moon on Our Health

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As the Earth’s closest neighbor and only natural satellite, the moon has long captivated us. Its mysterious allure has inspired myths about its influence on human health for thousands of years. But is there any truth to them?

While the moon’s full effects on the human body remain scientifically unclear, some research suggests the answer may be yes, indeed, there is.

Lunar Links to Pain

The moon’s influence on pain is a subject of ongoing research and debate.

One of the most well-known ways the moon may affect human health is its influence on oceanic tides. The moon’s strong gravitational pull causes the rise and fall of tidal waters—possibly affecting people living near coastal areas.

A study from 2011 found that kidney stone pain (renal colic) increases significantly during a full moon. Another study found an association between the lunar phase and unexplained stroke symptoms.

There has also been speculation that pain perception may be heightened during full moons. Theories propose that gravitational forces from the moon might affect fluid levels in the body, possibly influencing pain sensitivity, especially in conditions like arthritis or migraines.

However, a 2014 study investigating a link between the moon and post-surgical pain published in the British Journal of Pain found no statistically significant effects of lunar phases on pain levels or side effects after surgery. The researchers concluded there is no need to avoid surgeries on certain moon phase dates.

Sleep Disruptions During Full Moons

Another area of research that has yielded interesting findings is sleep. One study in Current Biology found that people tend to sleep less soundly during full moons, and another found people may experience more vivid dreams or nightmares.

During full moons, the Current Biology study observed a 30 percent reduction in electroencephalogram (EEG) delta activity, a marker of deep sleep, during periods of nonrapid eye movement sleep. The time it took participants to fall asleep increased by five minutes, and overall sleep duration decreased by 20 minutes.

“These changes were associated with a decrease in subjective sleep quality, as well as decreased melatonin levels,” Dr. Thomas Kilkenny, director of the Institute for Sleep Medicine at Northwell Staten Island University Hospital in New York, told The Epoch Times. The reasons behind these findings remain unexplained, he noted.

Some scientists speculate the moon may impact the production of melatonin, a hormone regulating sleep and circadian rhythms. One guess is that the moon’s increased light may be affecting circadian rhythms, or its gravitational pull exerting an influence, according to Dr. Kilkenny.

“And finally, another hypothesis gaining popularity is the moon’s ability to cause electromagnetic fluctuations on Earth,” he added.

A 2015 study of over 200 people published in the Journal of Sleep Research found full moons were associated with less sleep and REM sleep for women, while men experienced increased REM sleep.

The Lunar Connection to Mental Health

Some evidence suggests the moon may influence mental health, though findings are mixed.

About 80 percent of mental health workers believe a relationship exists between full moons and human illness, according to a scientific investigation published in the Advances in Mind-Body Medicine journal.

However, some research challenges this belief. A review of nearly 8,500 hospital admissions showed no increase in psychiatric patients during full moons or other moon phases. Another study of almost 18,000 medical records found no correlation between moon cycles and hospital stays or admission/discharge rates for psychiatric facilities.

Yet one psychiatric condition may show a lunar link. A 2018 study of 17 people with rapid-cycling bipolar disorder published in Molecular Psychiatry found their circadian pacemaker—brain nerves regulating cycles of alertness and sleepiness—had synchronized with the lunar cycle. This caused sleep pattern shifts associated with transitions between depressive and manic states.

Balancing Curiosity With Caution

While intriguing, research on the moon’s effects on human health remains inconclusive. Many studies have been relatively small-scale, making it difficult to isolate the moon’s influence from other factors. As such, caution is warranted when interpreting the currently available findings.

Nonetheless, the moon’s connection to health is a fascinating area of research, likely to be further explored.