Does The Moon Affect Us?

This may be shocking for many but the moon does not affect us at all, a study has found.

18:16 09 May 2016

For many years, astrologers believe that the moon controls the emotions, symbolizes the relationship between a mother and a child, and had impact on intellect and intuition. However, a recent study has found that it does not affect us at all.

 

The study assessed 5,812 children across five continents from a wide range of background, ages, sexes, sleeping patterns and levels of physical activity for 28 months, or 28 lunar cycles. Each lunar cycle was split up into three phases: full moon, half moon and new moon.

 

Researchers found that sleep time around a full moon was just five minutes less than a new moon, which they said was not significant enough to matter.

 

Lead researcher Dr Jean-Philippe Chaput, from the Eastern Ontario Research Institute, said: "Our study provides compelling evidence that the moon does not seem to influence people’s behaviour.

 

"Overall, I think we should not be worried about the full moon.

 

"Our behaviours are largely influenced by many other factors like genes, education, income and psychosocial aspects rather than by gravitational forces."

 

He added: "Folklore and even certain instances of occupational lore suggest that mental health issues or behaviours of humans and animals are affected by lunar phases.

 

"Whether there is science behind the myth or not, the moon mystery will continue to fascinate civilizations in the years to come."