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Exploring the Potential Psychiatric Implications of Astronomical Phenomena
Tammie Lee Demler1,2, Michaela Camille Lysogorski1,2, Eileen Trigoboff1,2
1Drs. Demler and Trigoboff are with the University of Buffalo, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice, in Buffalo, New York, University of Buffalo, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry in Buffalo, New York, and New York State Office of Mental Health, Buffalo Psychiatric Center in Buffalo, New York.
Innovations in Clinical Neuroscience
|May 1, 2019
Summary
This study found no significant link between full moons or solar eclipses and psychiatric patient behavior, including restraints, seclusions, or psychiatric emergencies. Lunar and solar events did not impact patient actions.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Astronomy
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Anecdotal evidence and folklore suggest lunar phases may influence human behavior.
- Previous studies on the lunar effect on human behavior have yielded inconsistent results.
- The impact of astronomical events on psychiatric patient behavior requires rigorous scientific investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential psychiatric impact of the full moon phase on psychiatric patients.
- To examine the correlation between a partial solar eclipse and psychiatric emergencies.
- To compare lunar phase effects in a year with a solar eclipse to baseline years.
Main Methods:
- Data collected from a state psychiatric hospital between September 2013 and July 2018.
- Analysis of average restraints or seclusions (R&S) and code green psychiatric emergencies (CG) around full moon dates.
- Comparison of CG events during a partial solar eclipse (August 21, 2017) and other years.
Main Results:
- A slight, statistically insignificant decrease in mean R&S was observed around full moons and during the month of the solar eclipse.
- No significant association was found between lunar phases or the solar eclipse and psychiatric patient behavior.
- Behavioral effects did not deviate from baseline during the solar eclipse year compared to other years.
Conclusions:
- The study found no evidence to support an association between lunar phases and psychiatric patient behavior.
- The partial solar eclipse in 2017 did not demonstrate a significant impact on psychiatric emergencies.
- Current findings suggest that astronomical events do not influence the actions of patients with psychiatric disorders.
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