Uh, Does The Moon Actually Mess With Sleep? Research Provides A New Clue

Women’s sleep was “largely unaffected” by the lunar cycle, corresponding study author and neuroscience expert Christian Benedict, Ph.D., said in a news release.

As the study authors note, one explanation for this is that during the waxing period, the moon is getting brighter and is typically in the sky in the late evening (when most people are going to bed). During the waning period, on the other hand, the moon gradually reflects less and less light and shifts into daytime hours.

They add that previous research has shown the male brain responds to changes in red and blue light at a “twofold higher stimulus-response curve” compared to women, which could also contribute to the discrepancy.