Lunar Cycles and Violent Behaviour

Abstract

Future research could profitably examine the implications of a belief in the lunar effect among health workers in the face of evidence that no relationship exists between violence, aggression and the lunar cycle.

Lunar-related reproductive behaviour in the badger (Meles meles)

“…The effects of the moon on the lives of higher organisms, especially mammals, are less well documented, although a body of evidence exists linking the time of the full moon with certain extreme types of behaviour, particularly in humans (Owen et al 1998). In this paper we present data from various sources in wild Eurasian badgers Meles meles, which reveal a robust correlation between their mating behaviour and the lunar cycle.…”

Meteorologic parameters and migraine headache: ED study

“…As there is a common belief that stress is increased during full moon, we have included possible relationship between the number of patients who referred to the emergency department with migraine headaches and moon phases. Although acute behavioral disorders, tendency to violence in psychiatric patients [21,23], and sleep disorders [24] have been reported to be more during full moon in several publications, we did not find a significant relationship between moon phases and the number of patients admitted to the emergency department with migraine headaches.…”

“…Stress disorders, changes in sleeping character, or insomnia is known to trigger headaches often [5,21,22]. Stress is a process resulting from interaction with social or natural environment.…”

Assaults in the Elderly-A Population-Based Study with Victim and Perpetrator Characteristics

“…Former studies have been criticized for their small sample size over a relatively short period of time resulting in weak statistical effects (35). The present study aimed to avoid statistical bias by using a large sample in a defined catchment area of Middle Franconia over a relatively long period of 7 years.…”