The full moon disturbs the sleep ?

Insomnia and sleep disorders during a full moon are a widespread phenomenon. But what is really behind the myth of “moon sensitivity” and do the phases of the moon really have an influence on our sleep?

Table of contents

1. Sleepless on a Full Moon
2. The phases of the moon
3. How the full moon disturbs sleep
   1. falling asleep & sleep rhythm
   2. sleep duration
   3. sleep quality
4. Moon sensitivity – myth or truth?

1. Sleepless on a Full Moon

Many people complain, especially in the days surrounding the famous full moon, about sleep problems. You have a harder time falling asleep, wake up more often at night than usual or feel barely rested the next morning. The conditions under which we really sleep well naturally depend on numerous factors and our individual needs. And yet, for many people, one thing is clear: the phases of the moon have a direct influence on sleep!

Whether the lunar cycle really influences human sleep is a matter of scientific debate. Some studies do show that a full moon can affect sleep and reduce sleep quality, and the latest findings from sleep research also indicate an existing connection between sleep disorders and lunar phases. But how could the moon influence sleep?

2. The phases of the moon

Month after month, the moon as we see it in the night sky goes through different lunar phases. A cycle lasts 29.53 days and includes the change from the famous full moon to the so-called new moon and back to the full moon. As the moon phases progress, the position and brightness of the moonlight slowly increase, reaching its peak at the full moon and then decreasing again. Some researchers suspect that human sleep is synchronized with these lunar phases for evolutionary reasons - because in a brightly lit night our ancestors could naturally be active for longer than in total darkness.

3. How the full moon disturbs sleep

Late falling asleep & altered sleep-wake rhythm

Difficulty falling asleep is one of the most common sleep disorders and especially around the full moon, many people simply suffer from not being able to sleep. In a scientific study, it was observed that in the days before a full moon night, the test subjects were only able to fall asleep at a relatively late hour and that the time it took to fall asleep was extended by around 30 to 80 minutes. One possible reason for this could be the special lighting conditions, because during a full moon the celestial body reflects a lot of sunlight and shines brighter than on other nights.

Our internal clock, which sleep behavior significantly influenced, follows the natural day-night rhythm and is guided by daylight. As it gets darker in the evening, our body begins to produce more sleep hormones such as melatonin to produce and slowly prepare ourselves for sleep. This leads to the assumption that the particularly bright moonlight inhibits hormone production, the melatonin level in the blood drops and we only get tired and can fall asleep later in the evening. And in fact, further studies have shown a lower melatonin content in the bodies of the test subjects when a full moon was approaching.

Shorter sleep duration

In addition to falling asleep itself, the nightly sleep duration are influenced by the phases of the moon.In various studies, the sleep quota of the test group was reduced by an average of 20 – 30 minutes per night, especially in the last three to five nights before the full moon. This could also be due to a lack of melatonin and the disruption of our natural sleep-wake rhythm, because this ultimately determines how deeply we sleep and when we wake up again in the morning.

Reduced sleep quality

On a full moon, many people not only complain about problems falling asleep or sleeping through the night, but also report a generally restless sleep, nightmares and the classic “feeling like a wreck” the next day. By measuring brain activity during sleep, researchers were able to see that the sleep structure in the days before the full moon, the sleep quality changed slightly and the so-called delta activity, which is characteristic of deep sleep, was reduced by an average of 30%. The sleepers spent less time in deep sleep and more time in REM sleep. However, deep sleep is particularly important for the regeneration and energy balance of our body and brain. The fact that sleep quality also decreases on full moon nights, that we sleep more restlessly and wake up less refreshed, does not seem to be a pure myth either.

4. Sensitivity to the Moon – Myth or truth?

The question of whether the lunar cycles are a cause of the widespread sleep disorders and insomnia around the notorious full moon nights cannot be clearly answered, at least from a scientific point of view, according to the current state of research. And even if it is a widespread phenomenon and surveys show that almost a third of people sleep badly around the full moon, the study results are not considered to be clear evidence of the famous "moon sensitivity".

By the way: Women are known for their easily disturbed sleep (more on this in this article). Nevertheless, men seem to suffer more from the mysterious effects of the full moon. Male study participants needed comparatively longer to fall asleep and their sleep duration also decreased more than that of the female participants.

But if we are honest, it is ultimately not so important whether the moonlight or (at least partially) our psyche is responsible for restless sleep on full moon nights. Because whether we sleep well does not always depend on factors that we can influence. With a good sleep hygiene But you create the right conditions for a good night and if the moon keeps you awake, our practical tips for falling asleep to find a restful sleep.

5. Conclusion

• Some studies show that around the night of the full moon, people fall asleep later, sleep for less time overall and spend less time in deep sleep.

• Bright moonlight is considered a possible cause of sleep disorders because it can inhibit melatonin production and disrupt sleep patterns.

Best regards and see you soon!