Does a full moon affect human and / or animal behaviour?

[user1464187087]

I've noticed that it's a full moon here in the UK tonight.
When I worked in the emergency sevices it was generally thought that a full moon can affect human behaviour.
I don't think that any official research has ever proven this.
I did have some busy night shifts when there was a full moon.
I mean this as a lighthearted thread, but I was just wondering about other peoples thought's on this.

Don’t midwives always say it’s a busy night for them?

Yes. I work in emergency services and we all say the same thing- it's always busier when it's a full moon!

I work in a primary school and we always joke that behaviour is more challenging during full moon!

I have lived with Labradors. Always crazy on a full moon. My dog walker says the same .
More noticeable with my ( late) male than my bitch, us we had some crazy walks around the full moon.

Police officer and same.

However I think it's all anecdotal isn't it, I just googled and no research has ever proven a statistical link.

Now... Rain cuts crime.

People be crazy 🌕

There was a lengthy thread about this very recently — maybe even last full moon!

Lots of anecdotes about changed and disruptive behaviour, but as you say yourself, OP, there have been loads of large-scale studies done on this in different countries, and none have ever shown increased numbers of arrests or police callouts, increased numbers of admissions to psych wards, higher numbers of detentions or any other measurable metrics for disruptive behaviour.

I was a police 999 call handler. We never looked forward on night shift to a full moon. I would love to know if it genuinely affects human behaviour.

Definitely anecdotal, but, used to work in a service that operated an out of hours mental health helpline, kept log of every call received and the people manning it said you absolutely could pick out an increase in calls on a full moon

Sorry to duplicate thread's Velveting.

Isn't where the word lunatic originates from?

I'm a nurse in an elderly ward. I've definitely noticed a change in patient behaviour during a full moon. Quite often unaware that its a full moon, experiencing a tougher than usual night shift then finding out it was a full moon.

I also notice a change in my children's behaviour and sleep habits during a full moon. Probably just a coincidence, but it's nice to blame it on something 😂

I've just quickly googled it and apparently so. Thanks I didn't know that.

Thank you. I find the subject interesting. 🤔

I personally think it does.

My son who’s severely autistic (plus other things)is adversely affected by the full moon.

Yes it does seem to affect behaviour, often more reckless or spontaneous activity and interestingly more sales for businesses/estate agents around a full moon. One of my children were born on a full moon, so perhaps it is a busy time for midwives too.

Used to work in hospitality, nights were always crazier (not necessarily for the better!) on a full moon.

I work in a GP surgery and yesterday was really busy, busier than a normal Friday.

My cat has been a right bully boots with a new cat in the neighbourhood.

I’ve worked in education for donkeys years and it’s renowned that rain/wind affects behaviour, even if they still make it outside to run off steam, it’s still always a difference. Like the wind literally whips them up!

a relative has worked on dementia wards for years, and it’s renowned a full moon affects things there.

yet the studies never show any of this! I wonder why? It fascinates me

@DontBuyANewMumCashmere I’ve not heard the police version of rain, what’s the theory - the criminals don’t like getting wet?

I was going to post the same.

Full moon + windy weather + the fair in town = nightmare!

I'm sorry to hear that. I hope he is ok x

Yes. My children are more feral!
My mum was a nurse on a psychiatric ward and full moons were always worse in terms of patient behaviour without fail.

There's often some scientific trurh in myths and old wives tales.

Both dc were born a bit early on a full moon.