a study of human biological rhythms based on moon phases and their effects on suicides, car accidents, and psychic crises

the purpose of the present study is to investigate the effects of moon phases on suicides, car accidents, and psychic crises. the data were obtained from archives of imam khomeini hospital, traffic office, and razi psychiatric hospital in tabriz. the sample consisted of 808 suicide cases and 6301 cases of city car accidents in 1989, and 3632 cases admitted to psychiatric hospital during the years 1989-1991 and the first half of 1992. the dates of all these events were converted from solar calendor to the relevant lunar calendar. the data from solar calendar were analyzed and the following results were obtained: 1- there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the frequency of suicides per day around full moon days as compared with similar figures for other lunar days. 2- frequency of car accidents during different lunar days showed significant differences (p<0.01), the maximum being observed around full moon days. 3- frequency of psychiatric patients admitted to the hospital in different lunar days showed significances (p<0.05) again the maximum occuring around ful moon days. the results of this study provide evidence for the existence of some monthly biological rhythms in human beings associated with lunar periodical changes. we suggest further studies on anatomical and physiological aspects of these montly rhythms.