Bipolar mood cycles and lunar tidal cycles

Area of Science:

• Chronobiology
• Lunar influences on human health
• Bipolar disorder research

Background:

• Rapid cycling bipolar disorder (RCBD) is characterized by frequent mood shifts.
• The potential influence of lunar cycles on human physiology and behavior is a recurring area of scientific interest.
• Understanding external synchronizing factors for bipolar disorder could improve treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential synchronies between lunar cycles and mood patterns in patients with RCBD.
• To explore the role of lunar gravimetric tides in modulating bipolar disorder cycles.
• To identify biological mechanisms linking lunar cycles to mood state transitions.

Main Methods:

• Time-series analysis of mood cycles in 17 RCBD patients.
• Correlation analysis with three lunar cycles: spring-neap (14.8-day), declination (13.7-day), and perigee-syzygy (206-day).
• Measurement of circadian rhythms in body temperature to assess biological mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Synchronies were detected between patient mood cycles and the spring-neap, declination, and supermoon lunar cycles.
• Shifts in coupling modes (e.g., 1:2, 1:3) between mood and bi-weekly lunar cycles were observed.
• Circadian rhythm data suggested a mechanism where lunar tides entrain the circadian pacemaker, potentially altering sleep phase and triggering mania.

Conclusions:

• Lunar cycles, particularly gravimetric tides, show synchrony with mood cycles in RCBD.
• Conflicting lunar cycle demands may cause shifts in mood entrainment patterns.
• Entrainment of the circadian pacemaker by lunar tides offers a plausible biological mechanism for mood state switching in bipolar disorder.