Do You Ever Use Your Third Eye? You Do, Every Day
Understanding the Pineal gland: A guide for the curious mind
Many people and some cultures believe we have a “third eye”, sometimes depicted in the centre of the forehead, just above our eyes.
What they generally are referring to is a little structure situated near the centre of the brain, the pineal gland, which is sometimes referred to as the “third eye.” This term originates from ancient spiritual and mystical traditions, particularly in Eastern cultures.
The pineal gland is believed to be a seat of spiritual awareness, intuition, and higher consciousness, and this concept is rooted in the idea that the pineal gland is a gateway to higher states of consciousness, and that it plays a role in the development of spiritual awareness and the connection to the divine.
The pineal gland might be small, but it plays a significant role in our bodies. Tucked away deep in the brain, this tiny gland, that is often said to be shaped like a pine cone, is crucial for regulating our sleep patterns and much more.
Having seen an actual pineal gland, I must confess it looks more like a peanut to me!
What is the pineal gland?
It’s a small organ in the brain, weighing about 100–150 milligrams and measuring 10 to 14 millimeters in size. Despite its size, this little chap has a big job, and is located near the centre of the brain, attached to a part called the thalamus, which is a major relay station for sensory information.
One of the primary roles of the pineal gland is to manage the sleep-wake cycle in humans, and it does this by producing a hormone called melatonin. Melatonin is often called the “sleep hormone” because it helps regulate your sleep patterns.
The gland works like a clock, responding to the light-dark cycle of our environment, by secreting melatonin when it’s dark to help you feel sleepy, and reduces production when it’s light, helping you stay awake.
This little gland has, indeed, a chummy relationship with the eyes, because the process starts when light enters the eyes and travels to a part of the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, which is essentially the body’s master clock. From there, signals are sent to the pineal gland.
During the day, these signals stop the production of melatonin, keeping us awake, but at night, these signals change, and the gland starts producing melatonin, making us feel sleepy.
Interestingly, the pineal gland is also involved in producing other substances, including some that are involved in experiences like dreaming and potentially even near-death experiences, so I can see why some cultures have associated the gland with mysterious purposes.
However, the full extent of these functions is still a topic of ongoing research.
Changes with Age
As we age, the pineal gland tends to calcify or harden, and its ability to produce melatonin decreases. This reduction might explain why older adults often experience changes in sleep patterns, including difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
A healthy pineal gland is crucial for good sleep hygiene, which is essential for overall health, and poor sleep has been linked to a variety of health issues, including heart disease, diabetes, and depression. Also, the gland’s role in regulating melatonin can affect other biological rhythms and functions, such as our reproductive cycle and mood.
So, this little guy may be small, but its impact on our health is mighty.
By regulating melatonin, it helps control our sleep cycles and plays a role in other body systems. This is another part of the human brain, that though small and unassuming, helps me appreciate the complex interplay of systems that keep our bodies running smoothly.
Whether it’s adjusting to a new time zone or changing our sleep habits, the pineal gland is a key player in how well we function day to day.
A word of caution though, your bifocal spectacles will not improve the function of this third eye!
References:
Jackson, S. B. (2020). Rolling My Third Eye: The Third Eye and Pineal Gland Connection. D.U.Quark, 5 (1). Retrieved from https://dsc.duq.edu/duquark/vol5/iss1/2
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