Studies confirm that during a full moon, people usually sleep worse than on other days, but the reason for this phenomenon is not mystical, but completely natural.
Joanna Fong-Isariawongse, an assistant professor of neurology, notes that the bright light of the moon in the days leading up to a full moon affects the duration and quality of sleep. People fall asleep more slowly, sleep about 20 minutes less, and are less likely to enter deep sleep.
Large-scale studies have shown that during a full moon, people tend to go to bed later and get less restful sleep. The main factor is light, which reduces the production of melatonin, the hormone responsible for signaling “it’s time to sleep.”.
Gender differences have also been identified: men are more likely to complain of sleep problems during the waxing moon, while women's sleep becomes less restorative during the full moon.
Scientists are debunking popular myths about "lunar tides" or the gravitational influence of the Moon on the body. Experts believe that belief in the "lunar effect" is supported by cognitive biases - people remember unusual events that coincide with a full moon and ignore similar situations on other days.
The main conclusion of the research: any light at night — natural or artificial — can disrupt circadian rhythms, provoke shallow sleep and morning fatigue. Therefore, problems with insomnia on the night of a full moon are often explained not by the moon itself, but by excessive ambient light and the use of gadgets.
