A lecturer has penned a new book about the influence the moon has on human behaviour.

Niall McCrae, a lecturer in mental health at Kings College London, has released The Moon and Madness through Imprint Academic.

The former psychiatric nurse, from Carshalton, has had rave reviews about his book about lunar influence on human behaviour.

Mr McCrae said: "The book is a serious but accessible investigation of the legendary notion of lunar influence on behaviour, including a historical account and a critical appraisal of the research on this phenomenon."

The author, who has also written a book on the social history of beer, saw his research into lunar influence featured on BBC Radio 4 series All in the Mind. In a review by the website thebookbag.co.uk it said of his latest literary offering: "This is an elegantly written gallop through western philosophical thought that is accessible and interesting.

The Moon and Madness is a great topic for a book, and McCrae certainly does it justice."

The avid Carshalton Athletic fan looks at cosmology from the Egyptians to the modern day and combines it with the treatment of madness.

McCrae also discusses the Greeks' perception of epilepsy as well as Charles Darwin's view of the connection between the menstrual and lunar periods.

The book is as much as a historical lesson as it is a fascinating read. For example, McCrae informs the reader about how famous philosopher Francis Bacon told people with moist brains to take rosemary or Frankincense at full moon for optimum effect.