Sex Difference in Response to Stress by Lunar Month: a Pilot Study of Four Years’ Crisis-Call Frequency

This study responds to the question of whether the moon can influence daily levels of stress. 4 years of telephone-call frequency data were obtained from a single crisis-call centre & analysed. An increase in calls was recorded from females & a decrease in calls by males during the new moon period, & there were proportionally more calls by males a fortnight later. A comparable swing in the male/female call-ratio on a weekly basis over Fridays & Saturdays was also noted. Implications are discussed. (32 refs)