Last night there was a full moon. One of my dogs was very on edge, starting at every sound, staring out into the darkness at something I could neither hear nor see. The other 4 dogs were sound asleep. Did she sense something different about the moonlit night?

The “lunar effect” is a term used to make a correlation between specific stages of the Earth’s lunar cycle and deviant behavior in humans and possibly even animals. This is a pseudoscientific theory, which is one based on science but having no real scientific proof. It is also a theory studied within the realms of sociology, psychology and physiology and has for many centuries been a topic of studies and beliefs. Even the term “lunacy” is derived from the name Luna, a Roman moon goddess.

In fact, in 18th century England, a murderer could plead “lunacy” if he had killed during a full moon and be given a lighter sentence than he would have otherwise received. So the observation and belief in a correlation between lunar phases and deviant human behavior dates back centuries.

So, is there really any truth to this idea that crime and deviant behavior increase during a full moon? Of all the studies done, no one can seem to scientifically prove that this is the case. Scientifically. But science isn’t everything. If it were, we wouldn’t need faith, there would be no such thing as a miracle and dreams would be never be voiced.

Some studies which have been performed in certain cities within the United States show that there is no correlation between the full moon phase and such things as a rise in suicides, crime rate, dog bites or births. And yet, other studies completed by such individuals as psychologists and other human behaviorists have shown that there is, in fact, a peak in certain kinds of behavior associated with a loss of contact with reality during full moons. These include murder, arson, dangerous driving and kleptomania, which is an irresistible impulse to steal due to an emotional rather than economical need.

These different results to basically the same types of studies make me wonder if there is any relationship between location on the planet and the full moon. Are there areas on the planet and in our own country that may be more effected by lunar phases than others? Is this even possible?

University of Miami psychologist Arnold Lieber states a possible link between the fact that the human body is made up of nearly 80% water to the possibility that we experience “biological tides” effecting our emotions during different phases of the moon, the same as the oceanic tides are effected by the moon’s activity.

Dr. Lieber and his colleagues did a study to test the theory of full-moon “lunacy”. They studied data on murders in Dade County of Florida which covered 15 years and a total of 1,887 deaths by homicide. When they compared the deaths with the phases of the moon, they found that the two rose and fell together for the entire 15 years! With the approach of a full or new moon, there was a sharp spike in the murder rate, and then a decline during the first and last quarters of the moon.

Aside from studies, scientifically or other, police officers and hospital staff are the ones who deal with crime, injuries, alcoholism, drug overdose, murder and suicides and many of them will admit that they do notice more of these problems during a full moon. But is that due to some metaphysical connection or due to the fact that moonlit nights are more conducive to outdoor activities, staying up later than usual, being more active, drinking more, etc?

Who is to say one way or the other? Scientists debunk the theory that a full moon is accompanied by a rise in criminal activity. On the other hand, psychologists, police officers, hospital emergency room staff, even bartenders will admit to noticing a spike in strange, unexplained and criminal behavior during a full moon.

Who would you believe? It really doesn’t matter what the studies show. Believe it or don’t believe it. It’s your choice. But if I were you, and I were out on the town on a full-moonlit night, I might take just a little extra precaution and keep the pepper spray handy. Werewolves beware.

Karleen Lindsey is a campaigner for the use of non-deadly weapons in keeping women safe. Since her own close encounter with violence many years ago she has been interested in helping other women achieve self-reliance and a mentality of self-power in every situation. Check out her Ultimate Personal Safety Kit for Women and her line of pepper sprays and get 20% off your first order over $10 with coupon code 3254.