A "lunatic" was thought to be influenced by the moon – but a new study debunks the idea that the moon has an influence on mental health.
Researchers in Canada say their study could find no effect from either the full moon or the new moon on levels of anxiety and despair.
The only link was with the last lunar quarter – when the moon is half visible. During this period there was a reduction in anxiety disorders, researchers found.
The study, published in General Hospital Psychiatry, was based on a study of some 771 patients seeking treatment in an emergency department in Montreal for chest pains.
None of the patients suffered from a medical problem and many were found to be suffering from mood disorders, panic attacks, suicidal thoughts or anxiety.
The researchers linked the number of visits to the four phases of the moon, from full moon to full moon.
During the last quarter, anxiety disorders were 32% less frequent – otherwise there were not significant links.
The researchers say that 80% of nurses and 64% of doctors believe the lunar cycle influences mental health.
Researcher Professor Geneviève Belleville, of Université Laval, said: "One thing is certain: we observed no full-moon or new-moon effect on psychological problems.
"We hope our results will encourage health professionals to put that idea to rest. Otherwise, this misperception could, on the one hand, colour their judgment during the full moon phase; or, on the other hand, make them less attentive to psychological problems that surface during the remainder of the month."
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