Can mood swings be set to a clock?

You might not be able to set your watch to it, but if you're into winning an argument, or getting an extra benefit - or raise - from your boss, this survey could come in handy.

A poll by pharmaceuticals and contraceptives manufacturer Bayer Schering reports mood swings are a fact of life, but it also marks times of day when each gender is most vulnerable. And the long-held stereotype that women have sharper mood swings is understandably overplayed, according to this poll. The scientific explanation points to hormones and biorhythms that give way to natural mood swings in everyone.

The story in the Daily Mail about the poll said, "some 86 percent of the 1,019 men and women polled said they were aware of regular peaks and troughs in their mood. But, perhaps not surprisingly, less than half of these had even thought of capitalising on the phenomenon."

Perhaps the most hot button part of this poll, and one you might have heard on your favorite morning radio show, was that 6 p.m. is when men are most likely to grant a loved one's wish. And women are most likely to win at argument at 3 p.m. (Plus, any story that refers to "rubbish" or a statement like "steer clear of having a row mid-afternoon" is good by me.)

The 6 p.m. thing is directly related to the end of the work day and guys wanting to relax, whatever the cost.

The most logical part of the study is asking something of your boss at 1 p.m. It's just after lunch, they're more relaxed, they've put out whatever crises happened in the morning, and before any big problems arise in the afternoon.

So test out these theories, and report back here.