What problems are associated with the pineal gland?
Pineal gland, (also known as the “third eye,”) dysfunction can manifest in sleep disorders; inability to fall asleep, waking in the night, not feeling refreshed.
It can also lead to hormone imbalances; disrupted menstrual cycles, fertility issues, mood disorders, anxiety, depression.
It can also cause neurological disorders, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.
The pineal gland is in the middle of the brain and comes into contact with blood and bodily fluids. Therefore, when it is not operating properly it can result in memory impairment, seizures, headaches, loss of senses and nausea.
What is the pineal gland?
The pineal gland is a pea sized and pine cone shaped endocrine gland located deep in the brain. It is found in the middle of the brain where the two halves of the brain join.
It is also known as the third eye and some say it enables us to have a spiritual connection.
What does the pineal gland do?
The pineal gland contains mainly pinealocytes, which secrete the hormone called melatonin into the blood.
Melatonin regulates the body's circadian rhythm (our body clock). The circadian system dictates many biological processes, including your appetite, energy levels, hormone production, body temperature and sleep patterns.
Melatonin is secreted in the night. It peaks in the midnight hours to keep us asleep. If melatonin levels peak in the daylight hours while someone is awake it suggests the pineal gland is in dysfunction, this may be caused by jet lag.
The schedule of melatonin secretion is dependent on signals in the retina about light in the environment which travel to a nucleus in the hypothalamus called the suprachiasmatic nucleus and then via an indirect route into the pineal gland. Darkness means that it is time to rest and light means that it is time to be alert.
The main function of the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) is to control circadian rhythms. The SCN also uses levels of melatonin as a signal to provide information about the time of day. The amount of melatonin secreted depends on the amount of daylight someone is exposed to. The more sunlight in the day, the more melatonin released at night, therefore the better your sleep will be.
There is research to suggest that there is a connection between melatonin and cardiovascular health. Melatonin produced by the pineal gland can have a good impact on the heart's ability to efficiently pump blood around the body.
The pineal gland has been linked to the production of dimethyltryptamine, or DMT. Called “the spirit molecule.” DMT is a substance found in certain plants and can be consumed as a psychedelic drug. It is possible that the brain releases DMT at death, which may explain why people brought back from death describe similar near-death experiences.
What can I do for my pineal gland?
The sun emits a full spectrum of light. Exposing your brain to the morning sun signals that it is time to stop for the pineal gland to stop producing melatonin. In relation, the brain will produce cortisol. Cortisol is the stress hormone and is the opposite of melatonin the sleep hormone. Therefore, exposure to morning sun will help your pineal gland to operate your body clock properly. This meaning you will sleep better at night and be less stressed.
What will damage my pineal gland
In contrast, exposure to light, especially artificial light, in the evening will continue to stimulate cortisol production and suppress melatonin which will prevent you from sleeping which will mean you pineal gland is not operating as it should do.
How to detox your pineal gland?
Avoid flouride found in tap water and toothpaste. Drink purified water (see the "the importance of drinking water" blog post). Use floruide free toothpaste.
Eat organic fruit, vegetables and lean meat. Avoid fish that may have mercury in it.
Eat foods high in chlorophyl such as leafy greens, wheatgrass, coriander, blue green algae such as chlorella and spirulina (see the instagram post on this). You can buy supplements as well as eat it as food.
Eat raw cacao, iodine, turmeric and curcumin.
Drink Chaga tea.
Add boric acid or get boron from avocados, bananas, beans, almonds, walnuts and chickpeas.
Book a Kinesiology treatment for a Endocrine boost as well as find out what supplements or foods you should be taking or avoiding.