Are you having trouble sleeping when it´s full moon?
It is commonly believed that the full moon can cause sleep disturbances and insomnia, however, scientific studies have not been able to consistently demonstrate a correlation between the full moon and sleep problems.
Some researchers suggest that the belief in a connection between the full moon and sleep may be due to the fact that the full moon is more noticeable at night and that people may be more likely to attribute sleep problems to an external cause during this time. While the full moon may not have a direct effect on sleep, it is still important to maintain good sleep hygiene, such as avoiding screens before bedtime, and keeping a consistent sleep schedule to promote restful sleep.
Research about sleep and full moon
Several studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between the full moon and sleep. Some studies have found a correlation between the full moon and sleep disturbances, such as insomnia and changes in sleep patterns. However, other studies have found no correlation between the full moon and sleep, and some have even found that the full moon may have a beneficial effect on sleep.
One study conducted by the University of Basel in Switzerland in 2013, looked at the sleep patterns of 33 participants over the course of several months. The study found that the participants slept less and had lower-quality sleep on the nights leading up to a full moon. However, the study did not establish a causal link between the full moon and sleep disturbances.
Another study, conducted by the University of Gothenburg in Sweden in 2016, found that there was no significant difference in the sleep patterns of 60 participants on full moon nights compared to other nights.
A study conducted by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States in 2018, reported that there is no evidence that lunar phase is associated with poor sleep quality, insomnia or other sleep disturbances, the study was conducted using data from the American Insomnia Survey, and it included more than 1,200 individuals.
It can be concluded that while some studies have found a correlation between the full moon and sleep disturbances, the evidence is not strong enough to establish a causal link. More research is needed to better understand the relationship between the full moon and sleep.
It’s worth to mention that light exposure, stress and other factors can interfere with sleep, regardless of the phase of the moon. Therefore, maintaining good sleep hygiene and consulting with a healthcare professional if you have sleep problems is always recommended.