The phase of the Moon affects human behavior, including fertility and crime rates.

Is it true that the phase of the Moon affects human behavior, including fertility and crime rates?

Partly. One review reports lunar-cycle associations with human fertility and with crimes, while a large German study of 23,142 battery crimes and a surgical-outcomes study found no lunar-phase effects, and a skeptics discussion notes larger sleep studies finding no effect. The evidence covers only parts of the claim and is mixed.

Verdict: CONTESTED PARTIAL · 1 source for, 4 against · Last checked 3 Oct 2026

The private library was unavailable for some searches in this check. Missing library results are not evidence against the claim.

Zimecki, M. (2006). The lunar cycle: effects on human and animal behavior and physiology.. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16407788/

Does the phase of the Moon affect human sleep patterns?. (2013). skeptics.stackexchange.com. https://skeptics.stackexchange.com/questions/17391/does-the-phase-of-the-moon-affect-human-sleep-patterns

Operation Timing Does Not Affect Outcome after Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. (n.d.). cir.nii.ac.jp. https://doi.org/10.1097/aln.0b013e3181b6a50c

Smith, D. (2011). Wicca and Witchcraft For Dummies. play.google.com. https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=NzYgKqUsljwC&source=gbs_api

T, B., R, A., C, M., A, S., J, K., W, S., S, B., J, K., & U, R. (2009). Relationship between lunar phases and serious crimes of battery: a population-based study.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.comppsych.2009.01.002