So not to scare you, but parasites do live within most of us. But don’t be alarmed! It’s important to understand the intricate – and somewhat mysterious – relationship between the lunar cycles, sleep patterns, and parasite activity within our bodies.
Let’s first explore what parasites exactly are, research-backed interplay between these parasites and the lunar cycle, and how serotonin and melatonin play a role in shaping the activity patterns of parasites.
What Exactly Are Parasites?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, parasites are organisms that live in, on, or with another organism (host). They feed, grow, or multiply in a way that harms their host, often carrying diseases.
If the thought of having a parasite in your body makes you quiver and shake, you’re not alone.
Unfortunately, parasites can lurk in unexpected places. While there are three main types of parasites, Helminths and Protozoans are the ones that usually live within your gastrointestinal (GI) tract and intestines.
Symptoms of Parasite Infestation
eBefore delving into the lunar connection, it's crucial to recognize the symptoms of parasite infestation.
Symptoms of parasite infestation within the body will vary depending on the type of parasite and how long it’s been in your body, but common signs include digestive issues, fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained weight loss, and skin problems.
Identifying these signs is the first step in addressing potential health concerns related to parasites.
How To Prevent Parasite Infestations
Fortunately, nature provides us with an arsenal of anti-parasitic superfoods that can fortify our defenses.
Incorporating anti-inflammatory foods such as watermelon seeds, pumpkin seeds, garlic, turmeric, cloves, and ginger will naturally support healthy digestion and overall wellness of the body to reduce the risk of parasite infections.
The Moon's Influence Over Parasites
Research has shown that parasitic activity is linked to lunar phases. Other microorganisms, such as fleas and ticks, have also shown correlated activity and behavior levels to the lunar cycles.
These “lunar-rhythmic” organisms are even believed to be the first life forms adapted to the different rhythms controlled by the moon.
Recent scientific studies have shown that several environmental factors have been shown to change directly or indirectly in connection with the lunar cycle, including moonlight intensity, water levels, temperature, food availability, oxygen levels, and magnetic field.
Because of this, the lunar cycle has been shown to synchronize with a variety of natural biological processes, such as reproduction in hundreds of studied species.
So what’s this have to do with parasites? As the moon waxes and wanes, so too does the activity of parasites within our bodies.
The lunar cycle seems to influence their behavior, with notable spikes in activity during the full moon. According to The Nutritional Wellness Center, there is a direct relationship between the moon's phases and the prevalence of parasites in the body.
Throughout the moon cycle, the center suggests that our internal environment undergoes fluctuations, providing fertile ground for the increased activity of these unseen organisms during the full moon.
The Melatonin & Serotonin Connection
Throughout the moon cycle, your body produces less melatonin and more serotonin, encouraging the parasites to reproduce.
Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, which is a chemical messenger that transmits signals in the brain.
It is derived from tryptophan, an amino acid that is obtained through diet. Serotonin plays a crucial role in various physiological functions and is particularly associated with mood regulation, sleep, appetite, and cognitive functions.
Studies have shown that serotonin levels in parasites increase during times of heightened lunar activity (full moon), which can stimulate their movement and reproductive cycles.
As in, when there’s a full moon, parasites could be having sex and reproducing in your body. And that’s just a thought we don’t even want to think about.
However, melatonin has shown to help mitigate and reduce parasitic activity even when serotonin levels within the body are increased during the full moon.
Melatonin is a hormone produced by the pineal gland in the brain, and it plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
This hormone is part of the body's internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm, which helps regulate when we feel sleepy and when we feel awake.
During the full moon, our bodies naturally produce less melatonin due to our biological rhythms of heightened lunar activity.
Emerging research has revealed that parasites positively respond to variations in melatonin levels within the body.
Because melatonin levels naturally fluctuate with the moon’s phases, there is a correlation that increased melatonin can decrease parasite activity and reproduction during a full moon.
How To Incorporate More Melatonin During The Full Moon
Increasing melatonin levels in your body, especially during a full moon, involves adopting habits and practices that support your natural circadian rhythm. Here are some tips to naturally enhance melatonin production within your body:
Manage Light Exposure
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Daytime Exposure: Spend time outdoors during the day, especially in the morning. Exposure to natural light helps regulate your circadian rhythm and supports melatonin production at night.
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Limit Evening Light: Reduce exposure to artificial light, especially blue light from screens, in the evening. Consider using blue light filters on electronic devices or wearing blue light-blocking glasses.
Establish a Sleep Routine
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Consistent Bedtime: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Consistency helps regulate your body's internal clock.
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Create a Relaxing Bedtime Routine: Engage in calming activities before bedtime, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques like meditation.
Diet and Nutrition
- Melatonin-Rich Foods: Some foods contain small amounts of melatonin. Include foods like tart cherries, grapes, tomatoes, and nuts in your diet. However, the impact of dietary melatonin on blood levels is still a subject of research.
Limit Stimulants
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Caffeine and Nicotine: Reduce or eliminate caffeine and nicotine intake, especially in the hours leading up to bedtime. These substances can interfere with sleep.
Create a Sleep-Friendly Environment
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Dark Room: Make your bedroom as dark as possible. Consider blackout curtains to block external light sources, and minimize the use of electronic devices emitting light.
- Cool Temperature: Keep the bedroom cool, as a drop in body temperature is associated with the onset of sleep.
Exercise Regularly
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Morning or Afternoon Exercise: Engage in regular physical activity, but try to complete it earlier in the day. Exercise can promote better sleep, but intense workouts close to bedtime might have the opposite effect.
Mindfulness and Relaxation
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Yoga and Meditation: Practices like yoga or meditation can help relax your body and mind, making it easier to fall asleep.
Consider Melatonin & Sleep Drops
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There are dozens of melatonin sleep pills and remedies on the market, but most are accompanied with fillers and unneeded excess additives. Ecosys’ Sleep Drops help calm the body and help you fall asleep faster with only four herbs consisting of valerian root, chamomile, passion flower, and melatonin.
It’s pretty crazy to think that the moon has a significant impact on the biology of so many species, including ourselves and those annoyingly gross parasites that live inside us.
Through a healthy diet full of anti-inflammatory herbs and foods and issuing our bodies increased doses of melatonin during the full moon, we can confidently mitigate parasitic activity within our bodies and continue our path of holistic health and wellbeing. We may even do a little dance under the full moon to celebrate as well.
