Uh oh.
You know the stories, right? Psychiatric hospitals have more admissions during the full moon? There are more suicides? More car accidents? Dog bites? Murders?
Studies show a majority of people believe this at some level, including mental health and medical professionals.
This is a longstanding idea. Shakespeare might have mentioned it a time or two. It is, of course, where the terms "lunatic" and "lunacy" (and the somewhat antiquated "looney") find their origins. Writers of all types have made good use of it as an inciting event of sorts.
But is it true? Does the moon somehow exert its power on us when it's full?
Does
EQUAL
?
Nevertheless, it's kind of an entertaining idea, which is why it's had so much literary and cinematic traction. And who couldn't use one more excuse for wild and crazy behavior?