Geophysical Variables and Behavior: XLVI. The Lunar-Lunacy Relationship: A Poorly Evaluated Hypothesis

Abstract

Authors of several published studies and important reviews have recommended that attempts to validate the lunar hypothesis be terminated. It is suggested in this reply to these critics that such recommendations are premature on the basis that the literature is replete with haphazard attempts at confirmation prior to demonstrating replicable findings. Several reasons are provided which may account for the failure to obtain reliable results in the literature on psychiatric admissions, regardless of whether the data supported the hypothesis. A more systematic approach to investigating the lunar-lunacy hypothesis is proposed.