Solar Cycles and Moon Medicine

by Laura Repola, ND

Nature is set to a metronome created by planetary movement. Rhythms and cycles of human physiology are created by forces from the universe, specifically from the interaction of the earth, sun, and moon.

The sun and the moon have always dominated human culture through the creation of the sleep/wake cycle, the tides, the seasons, and moon phases. These forces set off immeasurable chain reactions that influence the migration of animals, the harvest of food, societal rituals, reproductive cycles, and the construction of the calendar. The solar system creates the biorhythm of the earth.

Human understanding of the solar system began with great reverence. The sun and the moon were worshipped in most primitive societies. Myths from the great Mayans and ancient Egyptians are built around the gods of the moon and sun. The celestial bodies have long been honored for the power of giving life and providing wisdom.

The age of modern science, technology, and the advancement of astronomy has contributed a large amount of data to support these primitive perspectives. The use of isolation facilities to investigate circadian clocks, the study of biological entrainment, and a multitude of scientific discoveries in the field of chronobiology and genetics have increased the understanding of these influences. Even though society is removed from the raw influences of the sun and moon, the importance of their impact on human culture and human physiology has not lessened.

Cycles in Nature:

The Solar Day, the Lunar Cycle, and the Tidal Force

The movement of the solar system generates cycles. These cycles include but are not limited to the solar day, the lunar cycle, and the tidal cycle. The solar day is the light and the dark cycle of the sun setting and rising. It is approximately 24 hours plus or minus 30 seconds. The lunar cycle is based on the length of time that it takes the moon to orbit the earth, 29.53 days. The reflection of the sun on the surface of the moon at different angles creates the moon phases. Another outcome of planetary movement is the tidal cycle. The tidal cycle is a result of gravitational force, not light exposure. It lasts 12.8 hours. The impact of these cycles on humans is incompletely understood, though newer research continues to substantiate ancient beliefs that celestial bodies hold power.

Circadian Rhythm and the Solar Day

Circadian rhythm

. Circadian rhythm refers to the intrinsic molecular clock that maintains homeostasis between organisms and the environment. It is synchronized with the solar day through a process called entrainment. The circadian rhythm influences many biological processes and has been observed in plants, animals, fungi, and even prokaryotic cyanobacteria. To be considered circadian, a biological process must have an endogenous free running period of approximately 24 hours. This means the process has to persist in constant conditions, such as constant darkness.

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These environmental cues help regulate the circadian rhythm and translate to numerous physiological changes within a 24-hour period. Humans can be entrained to a 23.5-hour cycle up to a 24.65-hour cycle.¹ Zeitgebers enhance the regularity of the endogenously created circadian rhythm. Many organ systems are synchronized to the circadian clock, and perhaps every system in the body is attuned to it in some way.

The mammalian circadian

clock

. The circadian rhythm is generated in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) located in the hypothalamus in mammals. Each neuron of the SCN contains the molecular components to generate rhythmicity in the absence of external cues. These include the clock (Circadian Locomotor Output Cycles Kaput) genes that affect both the persistence and period of circadian rhythms. The core clock genes are CLOCK and BMAL1.²

The SCN, known as the master biological clock, also receives light/dark signals from photosensitive ganglion cells of the retina. These cells are different than rods and cones.³ The SCN translates the retinal signal and passes it onto the pineal gland. The pineal gland secretes or suppresses the release of melatonin accordingly. Melatonin is the major communicating hormone of the circadian rhythm. Melatonin receptors are present all over the body. This is how the dark/light cycle and the lunar phases become signals that entrain the body’s endogenous circadian rhythm.

Markers for measuring the timing of a mammal’s rhythm are melatonin levels, body temperature, and cortisol. Different physiological states exist at different times of day.

Understanding Oscillators

The central oscillator is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN), and peripheral oscillators exist in most if not every cell. Oscillators communicate to synchronize signals between the SCN and the periphery which gives rhythm to biological functions.

The concept of oscillation is not commonly explored. In mathematics, oscillation is the quantification of the amount that a sequence or a function tends to move between extremes. More simply, oscillation is like a swinging pendulum. At the molecular level in humans, the term refers to a complex mechanism that drives the expression of clock genes and their proteins. Cyclic melatonin levels and other neural and humoral outputs from the SCN coordinate peripheral oscillator function to synchronize with the circadian rhythm.

Moon Phases and the Lunar Cycle

The lunar cycle is known by the brightness of light reflected from the moon’s surface as it orbits the earth. This orbit takes 29.5 days in length. The exposure to cyclical changes in the amount of moon light affects hormone levels mostly due to pathways downstream from melatonin. The light of a full moon is 250 times greater than a new moon night.⁵ Melatonin levels are lower within 4 days of the full moon compared to other lunar phases.⁶ Perhaps with the expansion of this knowledge, a type of “moon medicine” will be more widely incorporated into clinical practice.

Gravitational Force and the Tidal Cycle

The alignment and distance between the earth, moon, and sun create a gravitational force and a centrifugal force. These forces generate the tides. A tidal cycle is 12.8 hours. The effect of this rhythmic change in the gravitational force does not produce measurable tides in smaller bodies of water, and therefore has previously been perceived as a weak force. It is undetermined to what extent the tidal cycle affects the human biorhythm and to what extent humans can alter the impact of the tidal cycle.

It is well evidenced that gravity can influence the direction of growth of plants, fungi, and animals, which is known as gravitropism. Crustaceans exhibit endogenous circa tidal and circadian rhythmicity.⁷ New studies are investigating the impact of the lunisolar tidal force upon living and growing systems.⁸ Does the tidal force change the flow of the cerebral spinal fluid or change cellular shape in the same way it impacts other fluid and solid matter? Without further scientific advancements, the discussion of the tidal cycle and its clinical applications is limited. The tidal variations do generate food cycles for oceanic species and influence the life cycle and culture of animals and people inhabiting the coastal zones. This is another example of how a moon, a planet, and a giant star work together to give rhythm to life.

Physiological Outcomes of Planetary Influences

Steady circadian rhythm and circalunar periodicity are essential for optimal health. The following are only two examples of how human physiology is intricately linked to the steadfast solar system.

1. Fertility and the moon

   . The relationship between moon phases and menses reveals patterns. The menstrual cycles of the most fertile women last 29.5 days, which is exactly equal to the length of the lunar cycle. Researchers have learned that most women with regular 29.5-day cycles have a menses within 7.5 days of the full moon.⁹ Melatonin also inhibits the release of luteinizing hormone, changes testosterone levels, and it is elevated in PCOS.^10,11 The exposure to bright light decreases the concentration of melatonin in circulation, and this is hypothesized to be useful in infertility treatments. These findings are supportive of the rudimentary perspectives that the moon is associated with fertility. Yet, a recent study reported that there is no synchronicity between the lunar cycle and the menstrual cycle.¹²

2. Immune system and melatonin

   . Melatonin is well known as a key player in immunity due to its properties as a potent antioxidant that can penetrate mitochondria. The interruption of the dark period with light or pulses of light rapidly reduces the output of melatonin from the pineal gland. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified light as a carcinogen in humans.¹³ This may be due to reduction of the total output of melatonin and/or other consequences of chronodisruption. In an experiment with laboratory mice, oral melatonin supplementation increased the life span from 755 days to 931 days for mice on identical regimens.¹⁴

Malignant tumors can modify the 24-hour oscillations of the clock genes, as was documented in liver and kidney tissue.¹⁵ This may contribute to fatigue and sleep disorders observed in cancer patients. High-doses melatonin is widely used in naturopathic oncology care for its oncostatic properties.¹⁶ Melatonin is part of a healthy immune system.

Clinical Applications

Disruptions of the biorhythm lead to a multitude of negative health outcomes. In my opinion, the greater the deviation from the rhythm, the greater the negative consequences. Modern lifestyles and the 24/7 model do not align humans with natural influences. Light and pulses of light during darkness can send misinformation to the SCN contributing to chronodisruption. As scientists are concluding that planetary movement has significant impacts on physiology and behavior, holistic clinicians should be more judicious in addressing a patient’s health in this capacity.

1. Facilitate entrainment

   . Greater consideration should be taken when choosing the timing and type of artificial lighting. The exposure to artificial lighting early in the morning or late into the evening disturbs the regular alternating periods of light and dark. The outcome is a shorter duration of melatonin secretion and less melatonin secretion overall.

Different wavelengths and color temperatures have different effects on melatonin. Sunlight, containing mostly visible light and almost all wavelengths of the electromagnetic spectrum, shuts down melatonin. Daytime exposure to sunlight in homes and workspaces is ideal. Blue light from LCD screens and energy efficient bulbs has a strong suppressive effect on melatonin. Incandescent bulbs produce blue light, but less than most fluorescent and energy-saver types. Campfire and candles consist of red, orange, and yellow wavelengths, which means they inhibit melatonin less than other choices of artificial light. In addition to light, a physician should utilize as many other synchronizers (zeitgebers) as possible to support the circadian rhythm.

Color Wavelengths (nm)

2. Avoid disrupting the synchronization of nature’s cycles

   . Habitual sleep loss and light pollution will send misinformation to the SCN and change the output of melatonin. Shift work, chronic jet lag, and nighttime activities that introduce artificial light should be avoided. The use of optical filters as bulb coverings or in glasses can filter blue light.

A multitude of drugs can change the circadian and circalunar rhythms through various mechanisms. The substances that change melatonin levels impact the suprachiasmatic nucleus, and ultimately deregulate peripheral oscillators as well.

Substance abuse can lead to long-lasting disruption of the circadian rhythm.¹⁹ Treatment plans for these patients should stabilize sleep and the circadian rhythm for potentially better outcomes in relapse rates.

Conclusion

Primitive humans experienced the solar day and slept under the phasic light of the moon. They lived by the guidance of celestial bodies, both physically and culturally. Though disruptions in these cycles are abundant, the human species adapts. In my opinion, it is the role of the physician to encourage the patient to align oneself with the dominant forces of nature. Our ancestors naturally praised these forces, and scientific evidence continues to prove that harmonizing with the solar day and lunar cycle benefits human health.

Notes

1. Czeisler C, Richardson G, Zimmerman J, Moore-Ede M and Weitzman E. Entrainment of human circadian rhythms by light-dark cycles: a reassessment. Photochem Photobiol. 1981;34: 239–247.

2. Albrecht U, Ripperger J. Clock genes [online document]. http://www.unifr.ch/biochem/assets/files/albrecht/publications/AlbrechtRipperger.pdf.

Accessed November 10, 2014.

3. Retinal ganglion cells [Web page]. Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retinal_ganglion_cell Accessed September 30, 2014.

4. Reiter R, Rosales S, Coto-Montes A, Boga J et al. The photoperiod, circadian regulation and chronodisruption: the requisite interplay between the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the pineal and gut melatonin. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2011;62:269–274.

5. Foster R, Roenneberg T. Human responses to the geophysical daily, annual and lunar cycles. Curr Biol. 2008;18:R784–R789.

6. Cajochen A et al. Evidence that the lunar cycle influences human sleep. Current Biology. 2013:5;23(15):1485–1488.

7. De la Iglesia HO, Hsu YW. Biological clocks and rhythms in intertidal crustaceans. Front Biosci (Elite Ed). 2010;2:1394–1404.

8. Barlow PW, Fisahn J. Lunisolar tidal force and the growth of plant roots, and some other of its effects on plant movements. Ann Bot. 2012;Jul 110(2):301–318.

9. Cutler W, Wolfgang S, Freidmann E, Preti G, Stine R. Lunar influences on the reproductive cycle in women. Human Biology, 1987;59:6.

10. Vanecek J. Melatonin inhibits of luteinizing hormone. Physiology Res.1998;47:329–335.

11. Jain P, Jain M, Haldar C, Singh TB, Jain S. Melatonin and its correlation with testosterone in polycystic ovarian syndrome. Human Reprod Sci [online]. Available at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24672165. Accessed July 7, 2014.

12. Ilias I, Spanoudi F, Koukkou E, Adamopoulos DA, Nikopoulou SC. Do lunar phases influence menstruation? A year-long retrospective study. Endocr Regul. 2013;47(3):121–122.

13. Reiter R, Rosales S, Coto-Montes A, Boga J et al. The photoperiod, circadian regulation and chronodisruption: the requisite interplay between the suprachiasmatic nuclei and the pineal and gut melatonin. Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology 2011;62:269–274.

14. Maestroni G, Conti A, Pierpaoli W. Pineal melatonin, its fundamental role in aging and cancer, in: Neuroimmunomodulation: Interventions in Aging and Cancer. Annals of the NY Academy of Sciences 1988;521:140–148.

15. Huisman S, Oklejewicz M, Ahmadi A, et al. Colorectal liver metastases with a disrupted circadian rhythm phase shift the peripheral clock in liver and kidney. Int. J. Cancer [online]. Available at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.29089/abstract;jsessionid=1660BD07121F25DB28C16890FD14BEF9.f02t03. Accessed October 29, 2014.

16. Macchi MM, Bruce JN. Human pineal physiology and functional significance of melatonin. Front Neuroendocrinol. 2004;25(3–4):177–195.

17. Comprehensive Melatonin Profile [Web page]. Genova Diagnostics. https://www.gdx.net/core/interpretive-guides/Melatonin-Interp-Guide.pdf. Accessed October 29, 2014.

18. Possible interactions with: melatonin [Web page]. University of Maryland Medical Center. http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/supplement-interaction/possible-interactions-with-melatonin#ixzz3IytGF1Ik. Accessed Nov. 13, 2014.

19. Hasler BP, Smith LJ, Cousins JC, Bootzin RR. Circadian rhythms, sleep, and substance abuse

. Sleep Med Rev. 2012;16(1):67–81.

SIDEBAR

Case 1

Anita is a 35-year-old female with fertility concerns.

S: Anita is concerned she cannot get pregnant because she has a history of irregular menses and has taken various types of hormonal birth control for the last 10 years. She stopped taking OCPs three months ago, and she has not had one light menses since then. She is actively trying to conceive. She describes herself as light sleeper, and she wakes feeling tired.

O: Salivary hormone panel with progesterone, testosterone, estrogens, DHEA, cortisol ×4, and melatonin ×4

A: Irregular menses.

P: Recommended Anita obtain a moon phase calendar for the next 3 to 6 months, which will help her to chart the following instructions.

Week 1: For the three days before and three days after the new moon: sleep in complete darkness and take 5 mg of melatonin nightly.

Week 2: Take 1 mg of melatonin for the following week (the moon is in its waxing phase).

Week 3: For three days before and three days after the full moon: Sleep with a light on, like a hallway light with room door open. Do not take melatonin.

Week 4: Take 1 mg of melatonin for the following week (the moon is waning).

Repeat this cycle for 3–6 months.

In addition, every morning sit within 2 feet of a light box for a minimum of 30 minutes. This can be accomplished during daily morning activities. She was instructed to open the curtains and brighten the indoor environment with natural and artificial lights during the day. She will spend as many hours in direct sunlight as possible to inhibit daytime melatonin secretion.

Case 2

Jim is a 45-year-old male with the chief complaints of difficulty falling asleep and fatigue.

S: Jim reports that he cannot fall asleep until after 2 a.m. most nights of the week, which leaves him drowsy most days. He gets irritable in the afternoons and feels depressed lately, which he considers normal for him during the winter months. He has recently quit drinking alcohol after 5 years of regular intake of 6+ drinks per day. He goes to a recovery counselor and attends regular AA meetings. He is otherwise healthy.

O: No acute distress, alert and oriented to person, place, and time. Normal physical exam.

A: Sleep disturbance, fatigue.

P: Educated Jim on sleep hygiene. This includes establishing routine sleeping habits, using only dim incandescent bulbs or candlelight for evening lighting, and turning off LCD screens and fluorescent bulbs 1 hour before desired bedtime. Remove all light sources from the bedroom, including alarm clocks, cell phones, and street lights. Consider using a sleep mask.

Supplementation: Melatonin dosing: 1 mg 30 mins nightly before bedtime and another 3 mg dose at bedtime.

Follow-up: Consider light box therapy, hormone panel with cortisol and melatonin.