A total solar eclipse swept across the United States on Monday, leaving many Americans reporting strange physical and mental alignments. Dubbed 'eclipse sickness,' the symptoms ranged from headaches and fatigue to changes in menstrual cycles and insomnia. Social media platforms were flooded with individuals seeking solace and shared experiences, seeking answers to the unusual side effects they were experiencing.

While NASA has stated that there is no scientific evidence linking human health and the solar eclipse, studies have shown that animals, particularly dogs, can be impacted. Dogs have been observed appearing anxious during such celestial events, displaying behaviors like pacing, scratching, and howling.

The exact cause of 'eclipse sickness' remains uncertain, but experts speculate that psychological factors may contribute to the physical and emotional responses reported by individuals. Psychological reactions such as excitement, anxiety, and the influence of social cues could explain the unusual feelings experienced during this time.

Dr. Leann Poston, a physician-writer and researcher at Invigor Medical, noted that events like a total solar eclipse, which defy the norm, can trigger an increase in cortisol, a stress hormone, leading to physical and psychological effects. The sighting of such an extraordinary event can also induce excitement, causing a spike in hormones like epinephrine and norepinephrine, which play a role in the body's fight-or-flight response.

In addition to the effects on humans, the solar eclipse has also affected pets. Dogs, in particular, have shown signs of anxiety, similar to their reactions during thunderstorms or firework displays. The dimming of natural light and drop in temperature as the sun is covered by the moon could be triggering unusual behaviors in animals. Furthermore, disruptions to animals' circadian rhythm, their 24-hour biological clock, could explain why some individuals felt fatigued after the eclipse.

Apart from the physical and mental effects experienced by individuals, the solar eclipse also brought about unforeseen consequences on the roads. Researchers at the University of Toronto analyzed road traffic data during the 2017 solar eclipse and discovered that there were over 1,000 additional road fatalities across the US in the three days before and after the cosmic event. This increase in fatal car crashes was comparable to the risks observed during major holidays such as Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, and the 4th of July weekend.

The rise in car accidents can be attributed to the sheer number of people traveling to witness the spectacle, with millions making their way to cities within the path of totality. In the hour leading up to the eclipse, the number of crashes rose above average, dropping during the actual event, and then inexplicably shooting up to a shocking 50 percent above average afterward.

As the nation recovers from the awe-inspiring solar eclipse, the mysterious 'eclipse sickness' will undoubtedly continue to puzzle experts. While scientific evidence is lacking, the experiences recounted by many Americans serve as a reminder of the profound impact rare celestial events can have on our bodies and minds.