The pineal gland, a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain, is often referred to as the 3rd eye, as it somewhat resembles the human retina. In many spiritual traditions, the 3rd eye or “sixth sense” represents truth or enlightenment. In Hinduism, a red dot (tilak) in the middle of the forehead symbolizes this access to a higher consciousness. Taoists and Buddhists also see this gland as the 6th chakra, one of the main meridians or energy centers of the body. The 3rd eye can perceive FAR beyond the fears and limitations of the naked eye. It sees beyond the mundane illusion that we are accustomed to, connecting us to our true, always perfect selves, the part of us that lives on beyond the physical and never dies.
The philosopher René Descartes describes the pineal gland as far more than a physical part of the endocrine system. In this eloquent quotation, Descartes portrays the pineal gland as the “seat of the soul”:
My view is that this gland is the principal seat of the soul, and the place in which all our thoughts are formed. The reason I believe this is that I cannot find any part of the brain, except this, which is not double. Since we see only one thing with two eyes, and hear only one voice with two ears, and in short have never more than one thought at a time, it must necessarily be the case that the impressions which enter by the two eyes or by the two ears, and so on, unite with each other in some part of the body before being considered by the soul. Now it is impossible to find any such place in the whole head except this gland; moreover it is situated in the most suitable possible place for this purpose, in the middle of all the concavities; and it is supported and surrounded by the little branches of the carotid arteries which bring the spirits into the brain.
The pineal gland produces a number of chemicals and hormones responsible for happiness and serenity, euphoria, spiritual contentedness, intuition, restfulness, civilized behavior, and balanced emotions. Melatonin, a hormone most people associate with sleep, is also produced primarily by this gland. This hormone has many other functions, including the regulation of the immune, digestive, thyroid, and reproductive systems, as well as the onset of puberty.
The pineal gland also influences the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin! Serotonin has similar functions to melatonin, however is mostly needed during the daytime hours as opposed to nighttime. It is also involved in the regulation of mood and appetite. When the pineal gland malfunctions, melatonin production is compromised. This disrupts circadian rhythms, sleeping cycles, immunity, and decreases its powerful antioxidant and anti-aging properties. Consequently, serotonin kicks in to pick up the slack from poor melatonin production, leaving you tired and depressed!
There are several factors that negatively impact the pineal gland. The pineal gland is subject to calcification which is much more prevalent nowadays due to poor dietary choices, lifestyle habits, improper supplementation, and increased environmental toxicity. Specifically, calcification is the accumulation of acid waste bound with calcium, pesticides, and toxic poisons like sodium fluoride and mercury (from toothpastes, dental fillings, tap water, processed foods, artificial sweeteners, mercury tooth fillings, polluted fish, etc.) Calcium can also tightly trap other toxic mercury and sodium fluoride metals, making them much harder for our immune systems to remove. High acid levels also force calcium from the bones as a buffering agent, adding to calcification as seen in the following study.
A 2001 PubMed study found that fluoride (F) exposure contributes to the calcification of the pineal gland. Researchers found a positive correlation between pineal F and pineal Ca. (1) Fluoridated water can be a major issue severely impacting the function of the pineal gland, limiting your intuition and connection to the Universe!
51 Studies linking fluoride to brain damage! After reviewing 27 of the human IQ studies, a team of Harvard scientists concluded that fluoride’s effect on the young brain should now be a “high research priority.” http://fluoridealert.org/studies/brain01/
Besides the reasons mentioned above, another major contributor to calcification is the fortification of food. Many processed foods are fortified with cheap rock forms of calcium in large amounts (like pasteurized dairy, cereals, processed packaged foods, and supplements). The problem with this inferior form of calcium is that the body can not recognize or utilize it as easily. Additionally, calcium’s co-factors vitamin D, magnesium, K2 and others are often missing from many of these products. So instead of calcium getting to the bones and teeth where it belongs, it can build up in the pineal gland, as well as the joints and arteries.
All the circumstances mentioned further acidify and calcify the pineal gland as well as other areas in the body in a vicious cycle.
High acidity in the body is a major factor negatively effecting the function of the pineal gland. Researchers in a 2004 study pointed out the relationship between acidosis and sleep apnea. The acidic body brings about endocrine disturbances, maladaptive inflammatory responses, and further exacerbates sleep disturbances. (3)
Acidosis is also related to disturbances of serotonin. A 2005 study found that patients with serotonin syndrome show highly acidic pH levels. Serotonin syndrome is a reaction following the use of therapeutic or recreational drugs, or drug interactions. It exhibits an excess of serotonin activity that causes mental status changes, hyperactivity, neuromuscular abnormalities, and can be fatal. (2) So, it is seen that acidic pH levels have a detrimental effect on this very important gland.
Once you start to improve your lifestyle, cleanse, incorporate more alkaline fruits and veggies, and quality supplements like grape seed extract, garlic, magnesium, MSM, iodine, chlorella, apple cider, and Tamarind fruit into your regime, you can begin to de-acidify and decalcify this invaluable gland! Additionally, to enhance 3rd eye perception, one can practice meditation, which quiets the mind and gives you a deeper connection to Source energy. Transcending the ego with the spirit and doing the inner work necessary to gain control over the mind and emotions will increase your intuition exponentially. Besides normalized circadian rhythms and sleep cycles, once you are able to access the 3rd eye, you can experience increased intuition, calmness, peace of mind, joy, creativity, and full energy output!
1- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineal_gland#cite_note-Descartes_and_the_Pineal_Gland-24
2- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11275672
3- Boyer, E. W., & Shannon, M. (2005). The serotonin syndrome. New England Journal of Medicine, 352(11), 1112-1120.
4- Joon Yun, A., Lee, P. Y., & Bazar, K. A. (2004). Autonomic dysregulation as a basis of cardiovascular, endocrine, and inflammatory disturbances associated with obstructive sleep apnea and other conditions of chronic hypoxia, hypercapnia, and acidosis. Medical hypotheses, 62(6), 852-856.
Look into the Solutions section for “How to decalcify the body.” http://www.hangthebankers.com/how-to-decalcify-the-pineal-gland/
Stock photo ID:527892316 -Pineal gland