Madness and the Moon: The Lunar Cycle and Psychopathology

Historically, there has been a perceived association between the moon and human biology and behaviour that can be traced back to at least Roman times. The idea that the moon can in some way influence human biology or behaviour is a phenomena that has now come to known as the “Transylvanian effect” in the academic literature. Many mental health professionals continue to hold the belief that lunar cycles can alter human behaviour despite contradictory evidence, but may also be due to personal, ethical, aesthetic, and intuitive ways of knowing. However, studies that have reported positive findings have been shown to be methodologically flawed, inconclusive, or confounded with other variables. Contrary to this belief in a Transylvanian effect are more recent studies refuting any association, relationship, or correlation between lunar cycles and human biology or behaviour.The vast majority of research relating to this phenomenon has been carried out retrospectively utilising secondary data (German J Psychiatry 2006,9:123-127).