Superstitious MINDS: The Fool Moon Effect

THE FOOL MOON EFFECT

By Patient No/ 0616

Lorain Cerdan

Hey Moon, Please forget to fall down

You are at the top of my lungs

Drawn to the ones who never  yawn

-Northern Downpour                                                                                                                  Panic! At the Disco

            The moon, especially when it’s full is always associated with stories of mysteries and superstitions. Full Moons are traditionally believed to be the cause of insomnia, insanity  and various "magical phenomena" not only here in the Philippines but also around the world. This phenomena is termed the “Lunar Effect”, a pseudo scientific theory suggesting that there is a connection between the phases of the moon and the behavioral activities of some human beings most especially those who are declared insane, hence, the term “Lunatic”. Though this phenomenon is not fully accepted by some scholars, some studies show that there is an increase of deterioration of mental being observed from schizophrenic patients during a full moon. Not only that, it also said to have a physiological effect on epileptic patients, changing the occurrence of epileptic seizures.

 As if that wasn’t weird enough, other superstitious beliefs claim that the full moon has a direct effect to a woman’s menstrual cycle. Also according to some traditions, surgeons actually refuse to do an operation during a full moon in fear that the patient might die of blood loss because of the moon’s effect on fluids. This is because of the unscientific work by Arnold L. Lieber entitled “How the Moon Affects You”  introduces the author's "biological tides theory" which explains that the lunar cycles which cause tides in the ocean also cause them in the human body, since the human body is almost 80% water

                 Psychologists, however, have found that there is no strong evidence for effects on the human mind  during  a full moon. Ivan Kelly, James Rotton and Roger Culver,  professors of Educational Psychology in the University of Saskatchewan,  examined over 100 studies on lunar effects and they concluded that the studies have failed to show a reliable and significant evidence of the phases of the moon and its effect on the human psychological behavior and other happenings such as increased number of homicides, unusual birth of babies, suicides, assassinations, madness  and even vampirism.  So why do a lot of people still believe in this age-old superstition?

           

It is probably because of the full moon stereotype. These lunar myths are often unconsciously fed into the minds of the people by the media since it has the ability to shape and change the audience’s perceptions, beliefs and values.  We get these “convictions” through watching movies, especially horror themed ones where the full moon usually heightens the creepy factor. Admit or not, the when the moon is full you automatically hear the sound of dogs howling in the distance.  Or sometimes, just by reading too much of Stephen King and listening to too much goth music.

                Anyway, It is natural for us Filipinos to believe in even the most ridiculous superstitions because that is the way we were raised. Now, there is nothing wrong in believing in myths and superstitions just as long it does not affect your relationship with others and the way you live your life. Whether it is a full moon or not, the truth is, we are all a little insane sometimes.