Does the Moon have an Effect on Us?
A lunar eclipse happened between 7-8th September 2025 and the effects of it was visible a day before the eclipse, on the day of the eclipse and also one day post the eclipse.
I saw the effects in my brother’s emotions. My brother is suffering from some mental health issues and has been staying with us for 2 months already. However, around the time of the eclipse, he was super emotional and highly reactive and was constantly breaking down.
I knew the moon had something to do with this. After all, many calendars follow lunar cycles, and moon affects the tidal waves of the sea. Our body is 70% water hence I am sure it has some effect on our body as well.
In many studies, it is purported that moon affects:
1. Sleep Pattern
It is purported that many slept lesser and had lower quality of sleep to the nights leading to full moon. This might be due to the strong gravitational forces of moon that affects us.
Despite having a lot of artificial lights around, somehow our body can still pick up the full moon occurrence and this has affected our sleep duration and quality. It is hypothesised that our ancestors waited for full moon nights for hunting and were the most alert during this time. Hence, these evolutionary changes were then passed down the lineage.
2. Mood Swings
Mood swings are common in those with bipolar disorder, and they oscillate between mania and depression often. It is observed that the mood swings in bipolar patients are in sync with the lunar cycle and this mood change occurs the most during full moon. The lack of sleep as full moon approaches subsequently affects moods.
Many have also reported feeling more irritable and on the edge during this time as the full moon tends to amplify emotional responses and increases reactivity. Some studies have reported an increase in homicide cases.
3. Menstrual cycle
Females who have a 28-day menstrual cycle tends to be in sync with the 28-day lunar cycle. Hence, it is observed that these women menstruate either during full moon, new moon and sometimes switching between the two. It is believed that a women’s cycles was once harmonized with the moon, but that has changed with modern life. As the women ages or became more exposed to artificial light at night, their cycles shortened and the synchrony disappeared.
Once upon a time, many would brush off the relationship between full moon and the body as being superstitious. However, many new studies are finding a correlation between the lunar cycle and the effect on human health.
We know the sun has an effect on our health in terms of vitamin D provision, but the moon is having an effect on the human body as well.
And maybe, just maybe, the whole solar system has an impact on us as well. Only time and research will tell.
Reference:
1. National Geographic. Can the moon influence human health? Surprising new research suggests it might.
