Lunar effect

The term lunar effect refers to the belief that there is correlation between specific stages of the Earth's lunar cycle and behavior in animals (including humans), that cannot simply be explained by variation in light levels. A considerable number of studies have examined the belief: by the late 1980s, there were at least 40 published studies on the purported lunar-lunacy connection, and at least 20 published studies on the purported lunar-birthrate connection. Several extensive literature reviews and meta-analyses have found no correlation between the lunar cycle and human biology or behavior. One study with incomplete control for age and sex of a small sample indicates a possible connection between sleep quality and lunar phases, but a subsequent analysis conducted with a larger sample size and better experimental controls did not replicate the findings. The Moon, however, does influence the behavior of several animals .

Origins of the belief

Examples of the belief have been found in ancient Assyrian/Babylonian writing. The term lunatic itself was derived in Latin from the word luna, meaning "moon".