Study reveals link between suicide and full moon

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
8 Apr 2023 15:54

Results of the study revealed that the suicide rate is unusually high during the week of the full moon.

The full moon, also known as Supermoon or Flower Moon, is pictured in Cairo, Egypt, May 7 (Reuters)

A study published by the Indiana University School of Medicine revealed that the risk of suicide was highest during weeks of a full moon.

The study was conducted by a group of psychiatrists from Indiana University and based its analysis on data on suicides from the Marion County coroner’s office.

"We wanted to analyze the hypothesis that suicides are increased during the period around full moons and determine if high-risk patients should be followed more closely during those times," Alexander Niculescu, MD, Ph.D., the team leader told Sputnik.

Results of the study revealed that the suicide rate is unusually high during the week of the full moon.

It found that people over the age of 55 are most likely to be affected, and that chances of suicide are generally the highest during the month of September, between 3-4 p.m.

The researchers accounted this phenomenon to human's inner biological clock. They said that circadian rhythms are connected to ambient light - a reason why humans prefer to sleep at night.

During the week of a full moon, the additional light produced may have an effect on creating additional stress on the body. This is why the chances of suicide increase at these specific times.

But researchers have emphasized the need to review this hypothesis.

"The effect of ambient light and body clocks in suicide needs to be studied more closely, along with how people sleep and their exposure to light… Changes in light can affect vulnerable people, in conjunction with other risk factors," Niculescu stated.

As for the explanation for the increase in suicide rates during the month of September and between 3-4 p.m., experts say that this may be related to intraday stress, stress related to the end of summer vacation, and seasonal mental disorders, among other reasons.

"Our work shows the full moon, fall season and late afternoon are temporal windows of increased risk for suicide, particularly in individuals who suffer from depression or alcohol use disorders," Niculescu added.

In the future, Niculescu said he hopes to examine the effects of screen exposure at night and their possible link to increased suicidal tendencies in people.