by Chrystina Trulove-Reyes

Created on: May 02, 2009   Last Updated: March 19, 2010

Myths have surrounded the moon for centuries. The most consistent myth throughout the world has been about the effect of the full moon on humans. However, does the moon really have an effect on people?

The moon has had a proven effect on the Earth's oceans. Mainly, the effect is caused by the moon's gravitational pull. Think of a cup of water. If you swing it one way, the water will gather on that side, creating a wave. You have affected a gravitational pull on the water in the cup. The same thing happens wherever the moon is. The water is pulled toward the moon, just as if it would in the cup.

Humans are made up of over 60 percent water. Does that mean that the moon has the same affect on humans as it does on the Earth? It is actually very doubtful. Several studies and tests have been introduced to find out the effect of the moon on humans. However, all results were inconclusive. The fact of the matter is that it would be unlikely that humans feel the effect of the moon's gravitational pull since humans are too close to the Earth's pull.

Another good test of this theory would be to use two magnets and a pin. One magnet would have to be comparable to the earth, while the second magnet would have to be comparable to the moon. Place the two magnets at a distance that would be the equivalent of the distance of the moon from the Earth. If you picked up one or the other magnet, you might be able to feel the pull of the other, if it is the "Earth" magnet, you would not feel the pull of the "moon" as much. The opposite would occur when picking up the "moon" magnet. Place the pin on the "Earth" and move the "moon" around, always trying to maintain the appropriate distance. If there is any reaction in the pin, it would go almost completely unnoticed.

Humans are raised to believe that the moon has an effect on them. Belief is a powerful motivator. If you believe that something is going to happen, truly believe it, it does. Likewise, if there is even the slightest amount of doubt, nothing will occur. The same goes for the belief of how something can affect a person. Others use the myth of the moon's effect as an excuse to behave in an otherwise untoward manner.

There may be a psychological effect that the moon has over humanity. That is the belief that the moon has an effect on personality and attitude while it is full. This belief could have been instilled in humans for centuries, handed down from generation to generation. There is no physical affect on humans from the moon.

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