![]() ![]() It has also been pointed out that a strong cognitive bias leading to illusory correlation and can result in erroneous conclusions. He further blames flawed data collection and analysis for a handful of studies linking moon phase and erratic human behavior. Studies that have claimed the existence of a lunar effect universally fail to meet the reproducibility and predictability requirements In his 2015 review article, Jean-Luc Margot (UCLA) notes: Other more recent (see here, here and suggested reading list) studies have also reached similar conclusions. Similarly, a 1985 meta-analysis of 37 studies on the topic led Rotton and Kelly to conclude that the few positive results showing link between moon-phases and human behavior can be blamed on faulty analyses. A few positive results were attributed to a type I statistical error. In 1978, a literature review conducted by Campbell & Beets found no relation, in general, between any phase of the moon and the human behavior. In addition, some studies have attempted to explain the probable reasons behind this belief. Overwhelmingly the scientific studies, conducted over several decades, have shown there to be no correlation between the phase of the moon and the spike in patient admission rate in hospital emergency rooms. “I think people are sicker and it seems like more unusual things happen when the moon is full, though I don’t think I could ever prove it,” he says.īut does science support the claim of a full moon affecting people’s behaviors (in terms of hospital load)? Or is it purely anecdotal? What does science say? He’s the program director for the emergency medicine residency at Midwestern University/Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine (MWU/CCOM) in Downers Grove, Illinois. Allegretti, DO, agrees that the emergency department seems busier when the moon is full. Lilienfeld notes there might be some correlation at work, if not necessarily causation. It’s not surprising that people wondered if the moon might be shaping their lives too. ![]() As for this particular claim, there is a general notion among medical staff that emergency room visits spike during a full moon which may be attributed to a number of reasons. But in defense of believers of lunacy, the moon does exercise some influence on Earth, from the pull of the tides to the mating cycles of corals and glowworms. It is a common belief that various phases of the lunar cycle, which lasts 29.5 days, have an effect on various aspects of human life such as – increased blood loss, increased violence and aggression, reproductive behavior etc (see here). In fact the terms lunacy or lunatic come from luna, the latin name for the moon. Be sure to follow Rohit on Twitter at Original Question This article is part of a series by Rohit Arora. FactCheck #1: Does a full moon affect people’s behaviors? ![]()
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