How the Moon Phases Affect Our Emotions and Behavior

The Moon has fascinated humans for centuries, inspiring myths, legends, and superstitions. Some people believe that the Moon has a powerful influence on our emotions and behavior, especially during its different phases. But is there any scientific evidence to support this claim? In this article, we will explore the Biotide Theory, which suggests that the Moon’s gravitational pull may affect the human body and mind, just like it affects the ocean tides. We will also examine some of the arguments for and against this theory, and some of the possible implications of the Moon’s impact on our lives.

What is the Biotide Theory?

The Biotide Theory is a hypothesis that was proposed by American psychiatrist Arnold L. Lieber in his 1984 book The Lunar Effect. According to this theory, the Moon’s gravitational force, which varies depending on its distance and position relative to the Earth and the Sun, may cause subtle changes in the water balance in the human body, which is composed of about 60% water. These changes may then affect the brain and the nervous system, resulting in fluctuations in mood, emotion, and behavior.

Lieber based his theory on the observation that the Moon affects the ocean tides, which are caused by the difference in the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on different parts of the Earth. He argued that since the human body is mostly water, it may also experience a similar effect, albeit much smaller and less noticeable. He called this effect the biotides, or the internal tides of the body.

Lieber also collected data from various sources, such as police records, hospital admissions, and birth rates, and claimed to find a correlation between the Moon’s phases and the occurrence of certain events, such as violent crimes, accidents, suicides, and births. He suggested that these events were more likely to happen during the full and new moons, when the tidal forces were the strongest.

What are the Arguments for and Against the Biotide Theory?

The Biotide Theory has attracted both supporters and critics over the years. Some of the arguments for and against the theory are:

For:

• The Moon has a long history of being associated with human emotions and behavior, especially in folklore, mythology, and astrology. For example, the word lunatic, which means a mentally unstable person, comes from the Latin word luna, which means the Moon. Some cultures also believe that the Moon can affect fertility, creativity, and spirituality.

• The Moon’s phases may have a psychological effect on people, as they may influence their perception, expectation, and interpretation of events. For example, some people may feel more anxious, restless, or romantic during a full moon, or more calm, introspective, or depressed during a new moon, because of the symbolic meaning they attach to these phases.

• The Moon’s phases may have a physiological effect on people, as they may influence their circadian rhythms, which are the natural cycles of sleep and wakefulness that are regulated by the exposure to light and darkness. For example, some people may have trouble sleeping during a full moon, or feel more energetic during a new moon, because of the amount of moonlight they receive.

Against:

• The Moon’s gravitational force is too weak to have any significant effect on the human body, compared to other factors, such as the Earth’s gravity, atmospheric pressure, and temperature. The difference in the gravitational pull of the Moon and the Sun on different parts of the Earth is only about one part in a million, which is not enough to cause any noticeable changes in the water balance in the human body.

• The data that Lieber and other proponents of the Biotide Theory used to support their claims are unreliable, incomplete, or biased. For example, they may have cherry-picked the data that fit their hypothesis, ignored the data that contradicted it, or failed to account for other variables that may have influenced the results, such as seasonality, weather, location, or population size.

• The correlation between the Moon’s phases and the occurrence of certain events does not imply causation, as there may be other factors that explain the relationship, such as coincidence, chance, or confounding factors. For example, some events that are supposedly linked to the Moon’s phases, such as births, earthquakes, or festivals, may have other causes, such as hormonal cycles, tectonic movements, or cultural traditions.

What are the Implications of the Moon’s Impact on Our Lives?

Whether the Moon’s phases affect our emotions and behavior or not, there is no doubt that the Moon has a significant impact on our lives in other ways. For example, the Moon:

• Provides natural light at night, which can help us navigate, observe, and enjoy the night sky.

• Influences the Earth’s climate, seasons, and tides, which can affect our agriculture, fishing, and transportation.
• Inspires our art, literature, music, and science, which can enrich our culture, knowledge, and imagination.

• Therefore, the Moon is not only a beautiful and mysterious celestial object, but also a vital and influential part of our planet and our civilization.

Conclusion

The Biotide Theory is a fascinating and controversial hypothesis that attempts to explain the possible connection between the Moon’s phases and our emotions and behavior. While there is no conclusive evidence to prove or disprove this theory, there are many arguments for and against it, based on scientific, psychological, and cultural perspectives. Regardless of the validity of this theory, the Moon remains an important and inspiring element of our lives, as it affects our environment, our culture, and our imagination.