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The pineal gland was originally believed to be a "vestigial remnant" of a larger organ. As early as 1917 it was known that extract of cow pineals lightened frog skin. Dermatology professor Aaron B. Lerner and colleagues at Yale University, in the hope that a substance from the pineal might be useful in treating skin diseases, isolated and named the hormone melatonin in 1958. The substance did not prove to be helpful as intended, but its discovery helped solve several mysteries such as the fact that the removal of the rat's pineal accelerated ovary growth, keeping rats in constant light decreased the weight of their pineals, and that both pinealectomy and constant light affect ovary growth to an equal extent, knowledge that gave a boost to the then new field of chronobiology.

Melatonin is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan, which also has other functions in the central nervous system. The production of melatonin by the pineal gland is stimulated by darkness and inhibited by light. Photosensitive cells in the retina detect light and directly signal the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), entraining its rhythm to the 24-hour cycle in nature. Fibers project from the SCN to the paraventricular nuclei (PVN), which relay the circadian signals to the spinal cord and out via the sympathetic system to superior cervical ganglia (SCG), and from there into the pineal gland. The function(s) of melatonin in humans is not clear; it is commonly prescribed for the treatment of circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

The compound pinoline is also produced in the pineal gland; it is one of the beta-carbolines.

The human pineal gland grows in size until about 1–2 years of age, remaining stable thereafter, although its weight increases gradually from puberty onwards. The abundant melatonin levels in children are believed to inhibit sexual development, and pineal tumors have been linked with precocious puberty. When puberty arrives, melatonin production is reduced. Calcification of the pineal gland is typical in adults.

In animals, the pineal gland appears to play a major role in sexual development, hibernation, metabolism, and seasonal breeding.

Pineal cytostructure seems to have evolutionary similarities to the retinal cells of chordates. Modern birds and reptiles have been found to express the phototransducing pigment melanopsin in the pineal gland. Avian pineal glands are believed to act like the suprachiasmatic nucleus in mammals.

Studies on rodents suggest that the pineal gland may influence the actions of recreational drugs, such as cocaine, and antidepressants, such as fluoxetine (Prozac), and its hormone melatonin can protect against neurodegeneration.

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The secretory activity of the pineal gland has only relatively recently become understood. Historically, its location deep in the brain suggested to philosophers that it possessed particular importance. This combination led to its being a "mystery" gland with myth, superstition and occult theories surrounding its perceived function.

René Descartes, who dedicated much time to the study of the pineal gland, called it the "seat of the soul". He believed that it was the point of connection between the intellect and the body.

The notion of a 'pineal-eye' is central to the philosophy of the seminal French writer Georges Bataille, which is analyzed at length by literary scholar Denis Hollier in his study Against Architecture. In this work Hollier discusses how Bataille uses the concept of a 'pineal-eye' as a reference to a blind-spot in Western rationality, and an organ of excess and delirium. This conceptual device is explicit in his surrealist texts, The Jesuve and The Pineal Eye.

The pineal gland is also noted in Gaston Bachelard's Poetics of Space.

Helena Blavatsky and Alice Bailey, some of the earliest new age, theosophical occultists, have both written on spiritual and occult relationships concerning the pineal gland. This concept of an esoteric pineal-gland is directly addressed in a chapter of Alice Bailey's A Treatise on White Magic

It is thought to be critical to the function of the yogic posture, Khecarī mudrā.

In Discordianism it is maintained that the pineal gland allows one to consult with the goddess Eris.

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Taking both of these into consideration, what do you personally believe the function/purpose of the pineal gland is?

jivJaN said:

look up david wilcock..

he explains it the best IMO... and i think he does it with science and mysticism which seems to be what you're looking for.


just because its alive.. doesn't mean it ain't technology.
your body that is..

and
just because your body is technology..
doesn't mean that you are.

Think of the pineal as something you use to get in and get out.

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c0sm0nautt said:

From personal experience, I know the pineal has to do with intuitive vision and psychic power.

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Poid said:

c0sm0nautt said:

From personal experience, I know the pineal has to do with intuitive vision and psychic power.

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What experiences of intuitive visions have and psychic powers have you had, and how do you know that these experiences were caused by the pineal gland?

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Poid said:

c0sm0nautt said:

From personal experience, I know the pineal has to do with intuitive vision and psychic power.

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What experiences of intuitive visions have and psychic powers have you had, and how do you know that these experiences were caused by the pineal gland?

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Poid said:

c0sm0nautt said:

From personal experience, I know the pineal has to do with intuitive vision and psychic power.

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What experiences of intuitive visions have and psychic powers have you had, and how do you know that these experiences were caused by the pineal gland?

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p4kSouL said:

Just like you feel your muscles in your arms, you feel the glands in the brain.

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Poid said:

p4kSouL said:

Just like you feel your muscles in your arms, you feel the glands in the brain.

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There are no nerve endings on/in the brain, therefore, one cannot feel their own brain.

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DeadHearts said:

Poid said:

p4kSouL said:

Just like you feel your muscles in your arms, you feel the glands in the brain.

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There are no nerve endings on/in the brain, therefore, one cannot feel their own brain.

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Did you watch thos clips??

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Poid said:

I feel that pressure feeling, too, but what I'm asking is how do you know that that pressure feeling is connected with the pineal gland?

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Because I trust the correlation made by an immense amount of spiritual tradition between the pineal gland, a feeling which arises in that specific area and the subsequent intuitive and psychic phenomena which result.

If you aren't going even take a look at any of the videos more than two posters have recommended to you, why do we bother?