The pineal gland: small organ with big impact
The pineal gland in your brain measures only a few millimeters, but it controls important processes in the human body. With the help of the hormone melatonin, the pineal gland controls the human internal clock and thus the circadian rhythm. Melatonin also plays an important role in the immune system and is therefore of particular interest to patients with autoimmune diseases. Find out more about the importance of the pineal gland for the immune system.
What is the pineal gland?
The pineal gland is an endocrine gland that is up to eight millimetres long and five millimetres thick and weighs around 0.1 grams in adults (1). An endocrine gland releases the substances it produces directly into the blood. The pineal gland, also called glandula pinealis or epiphysis, lies directly on the epithalamus, part of the diencephalon. Together with the pineal gland, this part of the brain controls the sleep-wake cycle.
Despite its small size and light weight, the pineal gland is extremely important for the functioning of the body. The reason: the pineal gland takes over the synthesis of melatonin. It consists mainly of the pinealocytes, secretory cells and glial cells, which support and electrically isolate nerve cells. The pineal gland makes melatonin from serotonin. The hormone melatonin is of enormous importance for the human body. It’s also called the hormone of darkness because light controls the synthesis of melatonin (2).
What does the pineal gland do?
The pineal gland primarily determines how well we sleep. Light-sensitive cells in the eye report the intensity of the light to the brain (3). When it gets dark, it produces more melatonin. As dawn arrives, the pineal gland cuts down on melatonin production. This hormone not only makes us tired, but affects numerous organs throughout the body and the immune system.
During the day, an average melatonin level of 10 picograms per millilitre of blood is considered normal. That is around a tenth of the amount of melatonin at night. A picogram is the billionth part of a milligram. A 2013 California study showed that smoking curbs melatonin production, while the dark winter days can slightly increase melatonin levels (4). The melatonin concentration is therefore highest between two and five o’clock at night.
However, the measuring method is difficult. Taking blood samples or a saliva sample during the night interrupts the beat and thus disrupts the sleep rhythm. An analysis of the morning urine can also provide information about the melatonin level. The study mentioned above therefore recommends combining different measurement methods.
Small amounts of this hormone are also produced directly in the eye. The intestines also produce melatonin. However, it is still unclear how much melatonin is produced in the digestive tract. In fact, most of the melatonin present in the body is in the digestive system, about 400 times more than in the pineal gland (5). If it doesn’t produce melatonin during the day, the gut seems to take over the production of this important substance. However, this has only been proven in animal experiments (6). The great importance of melatonin for the immune system is undisputed, though.
Melatonin and the Immune System
The exact effects of melatonin on the immune system are not yet fully understood. A Spanish study in 2013 concluded that melatonin had a buffering function (7). The hormone has an anti-inflammatory effect in acute and chronic inflammation, especially in diseases of the central nervous system, such as multiple sclerosis (8). The anti-inflammatory function of melatonin plays an important role in all autoimmune diseases, for example IBD (chronic inflammatory bowel disease), but also Hashimoto’s thyroiditis and Crohn’s disease.
It has also been proven that melatonin has powerful antioxidant effects (8). Among other things, it protects against the activation of so-called inflammasomes. These are substances that alert cytokines, which in turn trigger inflammatory reactions.
Beware of rheumatoid arthritis
However, the beneficial effects of melatonin in autoimmune diseases cannot be generalised. Rheumatoid arthritis patients already have elevated melatonin levels (10). A 2007 study showed that low doses of melatonin did increase markers of inflammation in the blood of people with rheumatoid arthritis (11). However, taking 10 milligrams of melatonin per day had no effect on clinical symptoms.
So far, the role that melatonin plays in ulcerative colitis has also been ambivalent. Spanish researchers found in 2006 that short-term use improved symptoms in animals with ulcerative colitis (12). With long-term therapy, however, the positive effect was reversed.
The beneficial effects of melatonin in lupus erythematodes are also controversial. In a Spanish study with rats in 2006, melatonin was sex-dependent (13). The condition of the females improved, while the males became even more sick from the administration of melatonin. In a 2010 animal experiment, Chinese scientists came to the conclusion that melatonin has beneficial effects on lupus erythematodes (14).
Melatonin for beautiful skin
Melatonin became popular as an over-the-counter dietary supplement because of its positive effects on sleep disorders and jet lag. This hormone is able to cross the blood-brain barrier (15). This is why melatonin ingested orally affects the whole body. In addition, melatonin appears to slow down the ageing process of the skin, among other things by protecting the mitochondria of the skin cells (16). Mitochondria are — to put it simply — the energy suppliers of the cells.
Good sleep: important for health
Good sleep improves your health in many ways. In numerous autoimmune diseases, the internal clock is out of balance. Sleep disorders have been shown to increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. This was shown in a study with almost 85,000 participants in Taiwan (17). The researchers followed the test subjects for three years between 2000 and 2003. The result: People with insomnia were more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, lupus erythematodes and systemic sclerosis.
In addition, sleep disorders often lead to depression (18). Conversely, many people with depression have disturbed sleep cycles. Depression, in turn, promotes the development of autoimmune diseases — a vicious circle.
The spiritual importance of the pineal gland
The little gland has held mystics and scientists under its spell for millennia. In Hinduism, the pineal gland is the seat of the seventh chakra. The so-called crown chakra represents the connection between the human body and cosmic energy. Western scientists, on the other hand, concentrated more on the physiological importance of the pineal gland. Researchers in Alexandria, Egypt, already knew about the existence of the cone-shaped organ. They thought it was a valve that controls memories.
René Descartes, the founder of rationalism, suspected a direct connection between the eyes and the pineal gland. The pediatrician Otto Heubner recognized in 1898 that boys with early onset of puberty had a tumor on the pineal gland. The endocrine functions of the pineal gland were discovered in 1916. But it was not until 1958 that melatonin was isolated from the pineal glands of cattle (19).
In the 1960s, Gregory Hill described the pineal gland in the religious book Prinzipia Discordia as the gateway to inner power (20). The writer Robert Anton Wilson made this adventurous document popular. Among other things, it recommends activating the pineal gland with daily rubbing with sandalwood paste and repeatedly hitting the head against the ground.
In the 1990s, scientists discovered the importance of the pineal gland for circadian rhythm (21). Around the same time, the American professor of psychiatry Rick Strassman presented the book DMT — the molecule of consciousness. In it, he makes the bold claim that the pineal gland can release natural DMT. This moves the soul in and out of the body and participates in the highest states of consciousness during meditation. This could illuminate mystical regions of the psyche. Although this cannot be scientifically proven, a study at the Swiss University of Friborg recognised the importance of these theories for pop culture (22). They raise awareness of the role of drugs as a vehicle for mystical practices and religious ideas.
In the recent past, the global public became aware of the calcification of the pineal gland. A study of patients with dental implants showed as a side effect that the calcification of the pineal gland can lead to Alzheimer’s disease (23). A Californian study in 2018 showed how susceptible the pineal gland is to deposits of lime (24). According to this, the pineal gland is the organ in the human body that calcifies fastest. One of the reasons for this is that the pineal gland is the part of the body with the best blood supply after the kidneys. It has been known since the beginning of the millennium that fluorides promote the calcification of the pineal gland (25). Fluorides are deposited in the organ and lead to hardening. In addition to calcification, fluorides also appear to promote the premature onset of puberty (26). In addition, it is obvious that a calcified epiphysis cannot produce enough melatonin.
How can I activate my pineal gland?
Decalcifying the pineal gland is possible. Two measures are particularly important:
- Avoid fluoride
- Eliminate fluoride
Avoid fluorides
Fluoride is considered to be the only blissful remedy for tooth decay. Even infants are given fluoride tablets so that they do not get bad teeth. Fluoride is also advertised as an additive to toothpaste and table salt. The easy way to avoid fluoride in toothpaste and salt is to use products without this additive. However, these substances are also used in pesticides and fungicides. It is therefore advisable to primarily buy organically produced food. In the case of mineral water, you should take a close look at the ingredients and choose varieties without fluoride.
Discharge fluoride
But what if you have consumed fluoride all your life? In this case, it is advisable to discharge fluoride. There are several methods for doing this:
- turmeric
- tamarind
- liver cleansing
- borax
- iodine
- green tea
Turmeric
The Asian spice is not only a powerful antioxidant, it can also prevent cell damage from fluoride (27). Indian scientists found that turmeric, also called turmeric, significantly reduces oxidative stress after just 30 days. Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, combats the symptoms of numerous autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, IBD and rheumatoid arthritis, thanks to its anti-inflammatory effect and fluorides (28).
Turmeric is fat-soluble and should therefore always be taken with meals. In general, a dosage of 1.5 to 3 grams of curcumin (also written as curcumin) per day is considered harmless. However, it is advisable to speak to your doctor before starting a turmeric regimen.
The simultaneous intake of piperine, the active ingredient of pepper, increases the bioactivity of curcumin many times over. You can use turmeric fresh, as a spice or as capsules to decalcify the pineal gland. However, an exact dosage of the active ingredient is only possible with capsules.
Borax
The white powder is considered to be a good means of removing fluoride from the body. You can buy it on the Internet in Germany. The dispensing of borax in pharmacies is prohibited because it has been classified as a dangerous substance since 2008 (29). As early as 1987, however, Chinese scientists found that borax could remove fluoride from the body of 31 patients (30). The Federal Institute for Risk Assessment examined borax in 2005 and only found it to be of concern for pregnant women and nursing mothers (31).
Women during menopausal hormone therapy and infertile men are also considered risk groups. In general, the daily intake of a quarter of a teaspoon of borax, dissolved in a liter of water, is considered harmless. As with turmeric, it is advisable to speak to your doctor before giving it regularly.
Liver cleansing
A liver cleansing is often referred to as a liver detox. This process usually takes place in three stages. A period of fasting is followed by a phase with raw food. Then slowly move to solid food. Herbal teas, for example dandelion, nettle and barberry, as well as juices are consumed in abundance during the detox. Fermented foods and dietary supplements accompany the cure. At the same time as detoxifying the liver, you should plan a bowel rehabilitation. Together, both regimens can improve the symptoms of many autoimmune diseases.
Tamarind
The fruits of the tamarind are a popular seasoning in Asia. In this country you can occasionally get tamarind as fresh fruit or as a paste. Tamarind has been shown to help excrete fluoride (32). However, it is unclear how to dose tamarind. This fruit has a laxative effect and has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. The normal dosage in curries is between half a tablespoon and one tablespoon per serving.
Green tea
The antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) also has a draining effect on fluorides (33). This antioxidant is mainly found in green tea and matcha. In addition to drinking tea, you can also take these active ingredients in capsule form. As with the other natural products, it is difficult to specify the exact dosage. Experts recommend a daily dosage of around 700 milligrams of EGCG.
How long does it take to decalcify the pineal gland?
The advice given above for decalcifying the pineal gland shows that this is not an exact science. It is therefore impossible to say how much time the individual measures take to be effective. Neither the dosage nor the individual response can be predicted like when taking a tested drug. Therefore, you should approach pineal decalcification with a dose of common sense. Before you decide on a measure, we recommend doing additional research. Observe your body closely to determine the dosage. The success of the descaling can be measured just as empirically. Obviously, when you sleep well, your pineal gland is working better again.
Important: Before decalcifying the pineal gland, you should definitely speak to your doctor.
What is good for the pineal gland?
In addition to decalcification, two therapeutic approaches in particular have proven successful:
- meditation
- daylight
- sweet dreams
Different meditation techniques have a variety of positive effects on your psyche. In addition to relaxation, meditation also promotes good sleep (34). Numerous techniques not only improve the length, but also the quality of sleep through longer phases of deep sleep. This is made possible by increased production of melatonin.
Daylight
The human body needs daylight every day so that the circadian rhythm (35) functions properly. However, it is difficult to get enough light in winter in Germany and during long working days. Daylight lamps offer an alternative here. Light therapy with daylight lamps can balance the body’s internal clock (36).
Sweet dreams
Pineal gland, circadian rhythm, internal clock, melatonin: we all know how important good sleep is. Insomnia wears down just like any other chronic disorder. If you have trouble sleeping, the chances are that your pineal gland is not working properly. Even if the pineal gland may not be your gateway to spiritual expansion of consciousness, there is a lot that you can do to keep your pineal gland and a good night’s sleep by natural means.
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