Abstract
This study explores the influence of the full moon phase on cognitive performance, with a focus on memory, concentration, decision-making, and mental clarity. Rooted in both ancient beliefs and modern scientific inquiry, the research draws on perspectives from Vedic astrology and empirical studies to examine how lunar phases may affect psychological well-being. A stratified random sample of 380 respondents from Delhi-NCR was surveyed to assess cognitive changes associated with the full moon. While some individuals reported memory lapses, emotional sensitivity, and mental fog, others experienced no noticeable cognitive disturbances. These mixed findings highlight individual variability and suggest that lunar phases may impact certain cognitive functions in susceptible individuals. Further interdisciplinary research is needed to deepen understanding.

 

Keywords: Full moon, cognitive performance, lunar phases, mental health, vedic astrology.

Introduction
The concept of lunar phases and its impact on mental health dates back to ancient times, where people believed that the moon’s different phases could affect their emotional and mental states. For instance, full moon was thought to bring about insanity, while a new moon was believed to be associated with depression and sadness. Although traditionally considered a myth, an increasing body of empirical research now supports a connection between lunar phases and mental health. The potential impact of the lunar cycle on human psychological and physiological disturbances has been recognized in academic literature as the ‘Transylvanian Effect’, Mason (1997) ^[1]. Vedic astrology is a form of astrology that originated in ancient India and is founded on the principle that celestial entities interact with and affect human life. According to Vedic astrology, lunar phases can impact a person’s mental and emotional well-being, including depression and anxiety. According to Vedic astrology, the moon is regarded as a significant planet that influences human behavior and emotions. The phases of the moon are believed to have a profound impact on a person’s mental and emotional state and understanding these phases is critical in predicting and preventing mental health issues. In Vedic astrology, there are two primary lunar phases that are considered to be significant: the full moon (Purnima) and the new moon (Amavasya). The full moon is aligned with increased energy and heightened emotions, while the new moon is a connection with rest and rejuvenation. During the full moon phase, emotions can become intensified, leading to irritability, restlessness, and even aggression. During the new moon phase, individuals may experience a sense of withdrawal, lethargy, and decreased motivation. Vedic astrology is also believed to exert a considerable influence on a person’s emotional and psychological well-being. The full moon and new moon phases, in particular, are considered to be important in determining a person’s mood and behaviour. In Hindu astrology, each Mahadasa is also subdivided into planetary periods called Bhukti that allow a deeper examination of the influence of each Mahadasa, Krishnamurti KS, (2006) ^[2].

The exact mechanisms explaining the connection between lunar phases and mental health remain unclear. Nonetheless, numerous theories have been proposed. One theory proposes that the moon’s gravitational pull might influence the fluid balance in the brain, potentially causing shifts in mood and behavior.

Another theory posits that fluctuations in light exposure during different lunar phases could disrupt circadian rhythms, resulting in alterations to sleep patterns, mood, and behavior. Sleep disturbances and sleep deprivation may be linked to the lunar phases as well; Foster & Roenneberg (2008) ^[9].

The effect of lunar phases on mental health, especially depression and anxiety, is an increasingly studied area. More research is required to gain a more profound insight into link between lunar phases and mental health and to create effective treatment strategies. The study of this relationship is an interdisciplinary field that holds cultural, scientific, and practical relevance. It presents an opportunity to integrate traditional wisdom with contemporary scientific inquiry to enhance our understanding and management of mental health issues related to lunar cycles.

The connection between lunar phases and mental health, especially depression and anxiety, has deep historical significance in many cultures and is increasingly supported by modern research. Vedic astrology, which originates from ancient India, highlights the moon’s impact on emotional and mental health, linking the full moon to intensified emotions and the new moon to rest and introspection. Despite this long- tanding belief, the exact mechanisms driving this relationship have yet to be fully uncovered. Some theories propose that gravitational influences and disruptions to circadian rhythms may play a role in affecting mental well-being.

Review of Literature
Parmeshwaran et al. (1999) ^[4] investigated the incidence of non-affective psychoses concerning lunar phases. Their study sought to determine if there was a correlation between moon’s phases and the occurrence of non-affective psychiatric disorders, shedding light on a potential link between lunar cycles and specific mental health conditions. Additionally, Barr (2000) ^[5] examined significant changes in mental state of individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in relation to lunar phases. The study sought to establish whether the moon’s cycles had any bearing on the fluctuations of mental well-being experienced by schizophrenia patients.

Peters-Engl et al. (2001) ^[6] examined whether the timing of surgery to specific lunar phases had any impact on survival rates of patients diagnosed with breast cancer. The result shows no significant influence on patient survival based on the particular lunar phase at which the surgery was performed. These finding shows that lunar cycle not play play a substantial role in affecting the outcomes of breast cancer patients.

Benbadis et al. (2004) ^[7] carried out an extensive review of seizure incidents recorded in their epilepsy monitoring unit over a three-year period. Their study examined the total count of seizures, encompassing both epileptic and non epileptic types. Notably, the results showed no statistically significant connection between lunar phases and overall frequency of seizures.

Röösli et al. (2006) ^[8] study suggested a correlation between LP and sleep duration, with participants experiencing slightly shorter sleep durations during Full Moon phases. It also highlighted gender and age differences in sleep patterns and noted that morning fatigue levels varied with the lunar cycle, with increased tiredness observed during Full Moon periods.

Moonlight, particularly during the three days surrounding the Full Moon (FM), would have offered the opportunity for various activities such as labor, hunting, journeys, and even social interactions. Consequently, genuine alterations in human behavior and activity patterns could have become linked to the lunar phases. This observation finds support in numerous studies, as indicated by Foster & Roenneberg (2008) ^[9].

Cajochen et al. (2013) ^[10] conducted a review of existing literature exploring the possible impacts of lunar cycles on human behaviour and health. Their analysis proposes that variations in light exposure associated with different lunar phases might interfere with circadian rhythms, potentially resulting in alterations in mood and behaviour.

It has been discovered that moon phases have no discernible impact on various aspects of life and healthcare, including birthdates and frequencies, disease occurrence, mortality rates, and long-term survival following living donor renal transplantation, as demonstrated by Kleespies et al. (2017) ^[11].

Marco-Gracia (2019) ^[12] reported that moon phases did not affect surgical blood loss or the frequency of medical emergencies. In essence, the syudy suggest that lunar phases do not have a substantial influence on these healthcare related factors.

According to Casiraghi et al. (2021) ^[13] conducted a study involving participants residing in an urban environment, and their longitudinal wrist actigraphy data unveiled interesting patterns in what the authors refer to as “lunar cyclers.” These individuals, falling within the top quartile of lunar cycling, displayed distinct sleep behaviours influenced by lunar phases. Specifically, during the time surrounding the full moon compared to the new moon, these lunar cyclers exhibited a shift in their sleep patterns.

Burges et al. (2022) ^[14] underscored that two individuals, P3 and P5, exhibited distinct sleep and mood patterns in relation to lunar cycles. P3 consistently displayed stable sleep and mood patterns over time. However, P5, while not consistently showing changes in total sleep time or mood, did exhibit later sleep onset specifically near time of full moon.

Research Objectives
To study full moon phase associated with changes in cognitive performance.

Research Methodology

• Area of Research: The area of research includes Delhi- NCR.
• Sampling Design: In this study, the researcher employed a stratified random sampling technique to gather data from various respondents. The researcher has taken 380 respondents from the Delhi- NCR.

Analysis related to relationship of full moon phase associated with changes in cognitive performance
Table 1: Table showing the response related to relationship of full moon phase associated with changes in cognitive performance.

Analysis

• Cognitive Performance Variations: A majority (76.05%) notice changes in memory and concentration during the full moon, while 8.94% report no effects, and 15% remain neutral. This suggests that cognitive fluctuations may be influenced by factors like sleep disturbances, emotional sensitivity or psychological arousal.
•  Memory Retention and Recall: Around 30.78% report difficulties with memory retention and recall, while 47.37% experience no impact, and 21.85% remain neutral. This indicates that memory function remains stable for most individuals, though some may be affected by cognitive distractions linked to the lunar cycle.
• Decision-Making Abilities: A majority (53.96%) do not experience impaired decision-making during the full moon, while 26.31% believe their judgment is affected, and 19.73% remain neutral. These findings suggest that while some perceive decision-making challenges, most individuals maintain normal cognitive processing.
• Cognitive Errors and Distractions: About 56.58% report no increase in cognitive errors, while 25% notice more frequent mistakes, and 18.42% remain neutral. This suggests that while some individuals feel mentally distracted, most do not experience a decline in cognitive accuracy during the full moon.
• Logical Thinking and Clarity: A majority (52.1%) report no disruptions in logical thinking, while 27.9% experience mental fog, and 20% remain neutral. These findings suggest that while some individuals associate the full moon with cognitive difficulties, the overall impact on mental clarity is not widely experienced.

Conclusion
The findings indicate that the full moon phase may influence cognitive performance in certain individuals, though the overall effects vary. Some respondents report challenges with memory retention, increased cognitive distractions, and a sense of mental fog, suggesting a potential link between the lunar phase and cognitive function. However, a majority do not experience significant impairments in decision-making, logical thinking, or cognitive accuracy. This variation highlights individual differences in sensitivity to environmental or psychological factors associated with the full moon. Overall, while some cognitive fluctuations are perceived, the full moon does not appear to universally disrupt mental performance or clarity.

References

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11. Kleespies A, Mikhailov M, Khalil PN, Pratschke S, Khandoga A, Stangl M, et al. Moon phases and moon signs do not influence morbidity, mortality, and long term survival after living donor kidney transplantation. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2017;17(1):440.
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