Lunar cycle has major effect on sleep, study suggests

Research finds people stay up later and sleep less before full moon, and do the opposite before new moon

Folklore has saddled the moon with major responsibilities: moods, spikes in crime and even psychosis are blamed on the Earth's only constant natural satellite. But could the lunar effect" interfere with sleep?

Scientists have long understood that human activity is facilitated by light, be it sunlight, moonlight or artificial light. But a study suggests our ability to sleep is distinctly affected by the lunar cycle, even when taking into account artificial sources of light.