Does the moon affect our epilepsy?
Superstitions about the influence of the Moon on the brain and, in particular, on epilepsy and seizures, have been around for centuries, but according to new research, there may be something in them after all.
What researchers have to say…
Researchers discovered that the number of epileptic seizures – which are related to electrical activity in the brain – goes down when the Moon is at its brightest.
They examined the record of seizures in a dedicated epilepsy unit, in which every seizure in each 24-hour period is logged for all patients.
The researchers compared the timing of each seizure with the brightness of the Moon. Their results showed that during the brighter phases of the Moon’s cycle there were fewer epileptic seizures in the corresponding 24-hour period.
The Findings
‘These findings suggest that epileptic seizures are less likely to occur on brighter nights,’ says Dr. Sallie Baxendale of the Institute of Neurology at University College London, who led the study.
What the experts believe…
Experts believe the effect of the hormone melatonin, which is secreted only at night and in the dark, may be implicated in triggering seizures.
i have a daughter 20 yrs old . she started at the age of 13 yrs to get epilepsy ,its a very sad thing to see them having seizures. the epilemn medication is giving her side effects. please help with herbal medication.