There is a lot of
folklore and superstition surrounding full moons — the ever classic werewolf
superstition is a prime example.
Whether or not you
believe in werewolves, the full moon has been found to affect
humans and animals in multiple studies. Some of the data is hard to explain at
times, but the fact of the matter is that the data exists.
It is entirely likely
that you have noticed at least some of these weird full moon facts in
your own life already, whether a change in mood or perhaps even a full moon
childbirth!
Which, if any,
of these phenomena have you personally observed before? These 10 things that
are said to happen during a full moon are absolutely fascinating.
Let us know if we
missed any full moon facts in the comments, and don’t forget to SHARE with
your family and friends on Facebook!
1. Menstrual Cycles Are Affected
A 2011 study
in Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica
Scandinavica showed evidence of the full moon affecting the
periods of women 16 to 25 years old. While the reason has yet to be fully
explored, the findings do point to a full moon influencing women’s menstrual
cycles.
2. Sea Turtles Will Lay Their Eggs
There are some
species of sea turtle who wait for the tides to become more extreme during
the full moon to come ashore and lay their eggs. This is because the higher
tide will take them further onto the shore,
where it’s better for them to make their nests.
3. More Babies Are Born
A recent study has
shown that the gravitational pull of the moon may have something to do with the
amount of births. Statistics have shown a high rate of babies being born
on or around the super moon. It’s still a bit unexplainable, but the
numbers don’t lie!
4. Sleep Worsens
One study that monitored brain activity on
sleeping participants showed that it took longer to fall asleep during a full
moon than during other phases of the moon. It also found less brain activity
related to deep sleep and shortened sleep times all around.
There haven’t been
many other studies to replicate these findings, but if you have trouble
sleeping during a full moon, know that this might caused by our little
rock in the sky.
5. Birds Communicate Differently
Animal behavior
during the full moon does vary from other phases of the moon. One species of
owl, the eagle owl, uses its white neck feathers to communicate with other birds at
night. During the full moon, this activity increases because it’s easier to see
with all of that moonlight.
6. Emergency Rooms Heat Up
Many ER doctors
think that the full moon really does have an effect on
the number of patients admitted, as well as the strangeness of the injuries
they see.
While it’s hard to
find a way to prove a definite correlation, it has been hypothesized that
it’s simply the beauty of the moon that makes people want to leave their homes,
thus putting them in more precarious situations than they would be if they’d
stayed watching TV at home.
7. Crime Rates Go Up
Multiple
studies have found higher crime rates during
full moons. It very well may be as simple as the fact that there is more light
illuminating the night during full moons, making it easier for criminals to see
what they’re doing. Really, though, who am I to rule out the possibility that
the gravitational pull is affecting us in strange ways?
8. Moods Change
Research has shown
that the moon’s gravitational pull may very well be responsible for messing
with our emotions. Those with unstable personalities or personality
disorders may be extra sensitive to
the moon’s pull.
9. Recovery Speeds Up
One study found
that patients who had to undergo emergency heart surgery recovered faster
when they got the surgery on or near a full moon, and that they had a higher
rate of survival.
In this
study, surgery patients during
full moons were able to leave the hospital four days sooner than those that got
the surgery during a different phase of the moon.
10. Predators Are Less Active
Because of the
increased light of the full moon, prey animals tend
to lay low during these times. In reaction to that, predators don’t have as
much to prey on, so they also lay low. This probably sounds
surprising considering all of the werewolf folklore out there!
The article was republished from : www.littlethings.com
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