The pineal gland, also known as the conariumor epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine glandin the vertebrate brain. The pineal gland produces melatonin, a serotoninderived hormonewhich modulates sleeppatterns in both circadianand seasonal cycles. The shape of the gland resembles a pine cone, hence its name. The pineal gland is located in the epithalamus, near the center of the brain, between the two hemispheres, tucked in a groove where the two halves of the thalamusjoin.

Illu pituitary pineal glands.jpg

Nearly all vertebrate species possess a pineal gland. The most important exception is a primitive vertebrate, the hagfish. Even in the hagfish, however, there may be a “pineal equivalent” structure in the dorsal diencephalon.The lanceletBranchiostoma lanceolatum, the nearest existing relative to vertebrates, also lacks a recognizable pineal gland.The lamprey(another primitive vertebrate), however, does possess one.A few more developed vertebrates lost pineal glands over the course of their evolution.

Pineal gland or epiphysis (in red in back of the brain). Expand the image to an animated version

René Descartesbelieved the pineal gland to be the “principal seat of the soul”. Academic philosophy among his contemporaries considered the pineal gland as a neuroanatomical structure without special metaphysical qualities; science studied it as one endocrine gland among many. However, the pineal gland continues to have an exalted status in the realm of pseudoscience.

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Everything You Wanted to Know About the Pineal Gland

by Dr. Edward Group DC, NP, DACBN, DCBCN, DABFM
Last Updated on

The famous philosopher Descartes described the pineal gland as the “principal seat of the soul.” You’ve probably heard of this gland being the “third eye,” a mystical chakra point residing right in the middle of your eyebrows. It turns out these ideas aren’t too far off. The small, rice-sized, pinecone-shaped endocrine organ known as the pineal glandsits alone in the middle of the brain and at the same level as the eyes.

What Does the Pineal Gland Do?

How you think and feel every day depends on the pineal gland. As the producer of the hormone melatonin, the quality and duration of your sleeprelies on how well it produces this hormone. This tiny organ regulates your daily and seasonal circadian rhythms, the sleep-wake patterns that determine your hormone levels, stress levels, and physical performance.

4 Ways to Activate the Pineal Gland

Activating your pineal gland may be helpful for regulating mood, sleep, and energy levels. Here are 4 ways to get started.

1. Get Out and Into the Sun

Sun exposure kick starts the pineal gland and stimulates the mind. Any type of light exposure, either directly or indirectly, activates the pineal gland, prompting it to produce serotonin; the neurotransmitter responsible for mood and energy levels. This is why it’s crucial to avoid light after the sun goes down, because you need your pineal gland to produce melatonin and suppress serotonin. This process can only be accomplished by reducing light from electronicsand lightbulbs as much as possible.

2. Sleep in Complete Darkness

A dark environment ensures your pineal gland produces enough melatonin to ensure good, restful sleep. Make sure you avoid backlit devices like phones, tablets, computer monitors, or TV right before bed. The lighting of these devices stimulates serotonin production, tricking your pineal gland into thinking it’s daytime, confusing your wake/sleep cycle.

3. Sun Gazing

Sun gazing is perhaps one of the most controversial exercises you can do to activate the pineal gland. Here’s the basics of the practice: within the first 15 minutes of sunlight at the beginning of the day and then the final 15 minutes of sunlight at the end of the day, you gaze into the sun for a couple of seconds, but only a couple of seconds. Again, sun gazinghas its risks. Simply getting out in the sun and having your eyes exposed to light indirectly can help stimulate the pineal gland without having to stare directly.

4. Meditation

The pineal gland responds to the bioelectric signals of light and dark, and meditationactivates this bioelectric energy. With practice, you can learn to direct this energy to this highly-sensitive organ.

Modern Problems with the Pineal Gland

Calcification is the biggest problem for the pineal gland. Fluoride accumulates in the pineal glandmore than any other organ and leads to the formation of phosphate crystals. As your pineal gland hardens due to the crystal production, less melatonin is produced and regulation of your wake-sleep cycle gets disturbed.[1]Research also reports fluoride hardening accelerates sexual development in children, particularly in girls.[2]And this is a serious problem as a study from 30 years ago reported 40% of American children under 17 were found to have pineal calcification in process. Since then, we’ve see children, especially girls, experience the early onset of puberty.[3]In addition to fluoride, halides like chlorine and bromine also accumulate and damage the pineal gland. Calcium supplements can also cause problems. Inadequate vitamin D, which is something that affects many people,[4]can affect calcium bioavailability in such a way that tissue, including the pineal gland, may calcify. Eliminating fluoride may be the best first step for reducing health concerns. Use fluoride-free toothpaste, avoid tap water, and drink filtered water. For the best filtered water, use a reverse osmosis water filter. Eat calcium-rich foods rather than taking calcium supplements if you can get plenty of vitamin D.

5 Ways to Decalcify Your Pineal Gland

If you’ve been exposed to fluoride, your pineal glandhas some degree of calcification preventing it from working well. Here are a few ways you can decalcify:

1. Tamarind Fruit

The fruit from the African tamarind treeis extremely effective at removing fluoride from the body. One study found children given tamarind excreted significantly more fluoride in their urine compared to the control group and may halt or even reverse the effects of skeletal fluorosis.[5, 6]

2. Borax

Mix 1/4 teaspoon of borax (or boron) in a liter of water and take it in small quantities over the course of a day or two. Consult your doctor before using this method.

3. Zeolites

These volcanically-produced crystals have recently been discovered as a powerful way to detoxify your body. They break down hardened calcium that forms around toxic metals in tissue and removes these heavy metals from the body.

4. Cleanses

Regular cleansing enables the body to naturally remove toxins and heavy metals from the body, including fluoride.

5. Iodine

Halides like fluoride, chlorine, and bromine accumulate in your tissue if you’re iodine deficient, which is an increasing problem around the world. If you’ve cut back on salt and don’t eat a lot of seafood, there’s a good chance you may be deficient. Symptoms of iodine deficiencyinclude chronic fatigue, thyroid disease, feeling cold or a low body temperature, and hormone imbalance. To get more iodine, eat foods rich in iodine, or take a colloidal iodine supplement for the best result.

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†Results may vary. Information and statements made are for education purposes and are not intended to replace the advice of your doctor. Global Healing Center does not dispense medical advice, prescribe, or diagnose illness. The views and nutritional advice expressed by Global Healing Center are not intended to be a substitute for conventional medical service. If you have a severe medical condition or health concern, see your physician.