Suicide Rates Peak During Full Moon and Late Afternoons, New Study Reveals; How Strong Is the Linkage Between Lunar Phases and Mental Health?

A new study led by psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine has found that suicides increase significantly during the week of the full moon, particularly among people aged over 55. The researchers suggest that high-risk patients should be monitored more closely during this time and during the peak hour of 3-4 pm and the month of September.

Psychiatrists Suggest High-risk Patients Should be Monitored During Full Moon

Psychiatrists at Indiana University School of Medicine have found evidence that suicides increase during the full moon, according to a study published in Discover Mental Health.

Led by Alexander Niculescu, MD, Ph.D., the team analyzed data from the Marion County coroner's office in Indiana regarding suicides from 2012 to 2016.

They found that deaths by suicide increased significantly during the week of the full moon, particularly among people over 55. Additionally, people are more likely to commit suicide during the late afternoon hours of 3 to 4 pm and in September.

"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," said Niculescu to EurekAlert.

"From a clinical perspective and a public health perspective, we found some important take-home messages in this study. High-risk patients should possibly be followed more closely the week of the full moon, during late afternoons, and perhaps the month of September."

Blood Biomarkers Reveal Link Between Full Moon and Suicide Risk

The team previously developed blood biomarker tests for other mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

By analyzing blood samples taken from some of the individuals who died by suicide, the researchers could identify which biomarkers were present.

These biomarkers are genes that regulate the body's internal clock, also known as the circadian clock, and are predictive of death by suicide during the week of the full moon, the peak hour of the day, and the peak month of the year.

Niculescu explained that people with alcohol use disorder or depression might be particularly at risk during these time periods. He also hypothesized that increased light from the full moon could cause an increase in suicides.

Ambient light plays a significant role in the body's circadian rhythm, the natural 24-hour cycle the body follows to regulate sleep and wakefulness.

According to Niculescu, the increased light from the full moon may impact vulnerable people when it should be dark.

He suggested that further studies should examine the role of ambient light and body clocks in suicide and how people's sleep and exposure to light could affect their vulnerability to suicide. He emphasized that changes in light can impact vulnerable individuals in combination with other risk factors.

Niculescu aims to investigate whether exposure to screens at night increases suicidal tendencies, particularly among younger individuals, as he considers mobile phones a potential full moon in people's hands and a critical area for further study.

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