Traditional Beliefs and Real Influence of Full Moon Days on the Behavior of Community Pharmacy Customers in Estonia
Traditional Beliefs and Real Influence of Full Moon Days on the Behavior of Community Pharmacy Customers in Estonia

Summary/Abstract: Traditional beliefs about the influence of the moon’s phases on human well-being and health remain vague in Estonia. The study hypothesized that Estonian pharmacists have noticed a periodic increase in the number of problematic pharmacy visitors, which can be associated with full moon days (3 days before and after). The observational study was conducted in 22 community pharmacies in Estonia (11 in standard and 11 in blind group), a total of 76 pharmacists filled out an observation diary daily for 10 months. Additionally, a questionnaire was used for 400 randomly selected employees of pharmacies. During the full moon period, the number of conflicts in the community pharmacies increased by 2.7 in the standard group and 3 times in the blind group (p<0.01). Pharmacists’ opinions about the full moon’s effect on the behavior of pharmacy visitors and themselves are described. Also, the sales of medicines for nervous system disorders increase on full moon days. Sensitive customers believe in the influence of the full moon and experience changes thanks to autosuggestion. The behavior of visitors is emotionally more unstable, with an increased level of anxiety. There is a need for further research on the impact of moon phases on behavioral aspects when providing medical and pharmaceutical care.

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