The pineal gland (in german Zirbeldrüse), which is also called the pineal organ, conarium, epiphysis cerebri, epiphysis and pineal body is an endocrine gland in your brain. The gland resembles a pea-shaped, tiny area of the brain that regulates some of your hormones. One of the hormones it regulates is melatonin. If you’re not familiar with melatonin, it’s the hormones that regulates your sleep patterns, or circadian rhythms. This gland has been misunderstood for years.
For example, a French mathematician and philosopher was a little obsessed with the gland. Descartes regarded it as the area of the brain where people’s thoughts were formed. Later, that observation was proven unfounded. In fact, researchers are still learning about the purposes of the pineal organ. This is what’s known about the epiphysis cerebri, thus far.
The Anatomy of Your Epiphysis Cerebri
This gland develops from the diencephalon roof. Although the diencephalon is a section of your brain, it is located behind your third cerebral ventricle. This ventricle is in the midline of your brain between your two cerebral hemispheres. The reason it’s called “pineal” is for the Latin word pinea. The gland’s shape is similar to a pine cone.
The pineal organ grows at a fast pace until age 1 to 2 years of age. After that, growth stabilizes. It does continue to grow, but at a slower rate.
The Gland is Part of the Endocrine System
The pineal organ is part of the endocrine system. This system is responsible for secreting hormones, and is comprised of multiple glands, not just the pineal body. For example, the Hypothalamus glands are connected to your nervous system and endocrine system. Most glands are located in your neck, except for the pineal and pituitary glands. That doesn’t mean the two glands are the same or have the same function. The pituitary gland secretes numerous hormones such as FSH, HGH, LUTEINISING and PROLACTIN.
What is the Function of the Epiphysis Cerebri?
The pineal organ has a large supply of adrenergic nerves. These adrenergic nerve neurons sensitive to your adrenal hormone called epinephrine. The nerves greatly influence how your gland functions. The gland synthesizes serotonin and melatonin. The way pineal gland works is simple, it secretes one hormone. That hormone in melatonin.
Light determines when the secretion occurs. So far, researchers have learned there are two primary functions of this gland: regulate specific reproductive hormones and control your biological rhythm. For example, the pineal organ affects a woman’s menstrual cycle. When your gland regulated, your menstrual cycles occur regularly. However, reduced amounts of melatonin may cause you to develop irregular menstrual cycles.
Melatonin also helps your body in many different ways. One function of melatonin is that it can have a positive impact on your blood pressure and heart. The gland also may stabilize mood disorders like schizophrenia.
The function of the epiphysis cerebri also includes your circadian rhythm. Your body has an internal 24-hour biological cycle. This is described as your sleep-wake patterns. The way your circadian works is that darkness and daylight dictate when you go to sleep and how long you stay awake.
For instance, when you’re exposed to daylight, your gland stops releasing or slows down the release of melatonin. When you’re exposed to darkness, your gland increases its release of melatonin.
How important is this gland?
The pineal organ is very important to keeping yourself healthy. The gland words like clockwork. However, it can become impaired. Pineal impairment is usually due to the accumulation of toxins. These toxins enter your system in various ways such as foods treated with pesticides.
When this gland is impaired, you can feel the imbalance throughout your entire body. For example, your sleep patterns are disrupted. This means that you may experience insomnia or jet lag. Since this gland is located so close to other important structures in your body, it heavily interacts with fluids and blood. Thus, you may develop epiphysis cerebri tumor, cyst or calcification.
It’s important to mention that pineal tumors are rare. When a tumor develops in this gland, it presses against other parts of your block. In addition, it can block the normal flow of your cerebro-spinal fluid. This is the fluid that is located around your brain and cushions it from damage. You may experience some early symptoms such as seizures and memory impairment. You may also experience vision damage, headaches and nausea.
A pineal cyst is benign. It is a sac filled with fluid deposits. The cyst typically develops in the area of the gland. As it grows, it presses on your pineal organ. The cyst symptoms cause you experience headaches and seizures. You may even lose consciousness.
Adults ranging from age 20 to 30 years old are more likely to develop a pineal cyst. Women are more likely to develop the cysts than men. The exact cause of a pineal cyst isn’t known.
Calcium, bromide, fluorides and chlorine can cause a build-up in your pineal gland. This buildup is commonly known as pineal calcification. Fluoride accumulation is the most dangerous and common issue because it’s found in treated tap water and toothpaste. Too much fluoride calculation may lead to brain sand. The brain sand, also called corpora arenacea, affects the way your gland functions.
Regardless of the type of toxins affecting your gland, the calcification occurs the same way. The excess amount of toxins such as fluoride and calcium mixes together. Once combined, a layer forms over your gland like a coating. Over time, the layer calcifies, or hardens. This prevents your gland from adequately function.
Symptoms of pineal calcification include sleep problems. This means your wake/sleep patterns are off because of the improper amount of melatonin your gland secretes. Another symptom is sexual development in adolescence. For example, breast soreness and menstrual problems are two types of sexual development issues.
You may notice you have an excessive craving of alcohol beverages and/or you feel tired. Both are symptoms of pineal calcification. Depression is another symptom of the pineal organ condition.
If you have symptoms associated with pineal calcification, you can reverse the condition. Pineal decalcification is the process of eliminating the excess toxins from your gland. One way to do this is to make dietary changes. Antioxidant foods are a great way to decalcify.
Avoid packaged food items and calcium-rich foods. Exercise such as weight lifting can also eliminate the toxins from your pineal. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t try to overdo the weight lifting. Know your limits when lifting weights.
How to activate the pineal gland?
As you read, there are some ways to eliminate the toxin overlay on your pineal organ. You also have the ability to activate, or jump start your epiphysis cerebri. Melatonin supplements are usually recommended to jump start your gland when you suffer from sleep problems such as insomnia.
The supplements also help if you suffer from jet lag or work an irregular night shift. By taking the supplements, you increase the amount of melatonin in your body. This is a synthetic form of the hormone. Thus, short-term use is suggested.
Melatonin supplements should be avoided during pregnancy, trying to conceive or while breastfeeding. Headache, stomach cramps, irritability and short-lived depression are some side effects of taking melatonin supplements. Therefore, it’s important to consult your medical professional prior to taking the supplement.
Try Meditation to Activate Your Gland
Sitting meditation is another way to activate your pineal organ. Mediation is important because your gland is sensitive to the bioelectrical signals of dark and light in your environment. By sitting in a quiet place and practicing meditation, you harass the bioelectric energy. Staying relaxed and focus also releases nitric oxide and neuropeptides. These chemicals allow you to relax even more while activating your epiphysis cerebri.
Eat Healthier to Jump Start Your Pineal Organ
You’ve read how important making dietary changes is to eliminate the toxins from your pineal gland. Eating healthier is also a major way to jump start your gland and take charge of your health. For example, Oregano oil naturally helps cleanse and restore your endocrine and hormone systems. This means your gland is clear and you have a healthier immune system.
Alkaline-forming foods are another way to activate your gland. Alkaline-forming foods not only activate your gland, but also decalcify it. Your gland absorbs nutrients in these foods without using any energy to fight blood imbalances. Blood imbalances are often caused by too much acid in the foods.
Some alkaline-forming foods are cucumber, celery, garlic, mushrooms and sweet potatoes. In fact, many vegetables are a good source of alkaline. Zucchini, parsnip, spinach and yams are some additional alkaline-forming foods.
You don’t want to forget about water. Your body needs water.
Your pineal organ needs either bottled mineral water or filtered tap water. Both types of water stop the calcification of your gland. You may also want to limit your use of fluoride toothpaste. This will limit the amount of fluoride in your system that may travel to your gland.
In addition to drinking filtered and/or bottled water with minerals, consider consume a little raw apple cider vinegar. Apple cider vinegar reduces the amount of toxins in your body. It also reduces calcification because it contains malic acid. This acid softens the calcification on your gland. You don’t have to consume the entire bottle.
Try foods with a high amount of boron. Boric acid directly fights the effects of fluoride in your body. Thus, this will activate the gland by eliminating the fluoride. Some foods that are high in boron include dates, avocados, raisins and prunes.
A lot of people eliminate iodine, or salt, from their diet to improve their health. This has one disadvantage; they don’t obtain the benefit iodine has of removing synthetic fluoride from the body. This occurs via the urine.
If you don’t have to add a ton of salt to your diet to obtain this benefit. Instead, you can include some of the foods rich in natural iodine. One example of a natural iodine-rich food is seaweed. It’s important to mention that you don’t have to eliminate all the calcium from your avoid calcification buildup on your gland.
Instead, you can consume foods that have a healthy amount of calcium. Foods with a healthy amount of calcium include almonds, kale, flaxseed, broccoli and sesame seed. The healthy calcium won’t aid in the toxin buildup that can typically occur with other type of calcium consumed.
Understanding the Epiphysis Cerebri and Improving Your Health and Body
This pineal gland is one of the endocrine glands in your brain. It has a lot of names. The gland has even been called the “third eye” because of its deep location in the middle of your brain. Because of the calcium, fluoride and phosphorus deposits that build up in that area of your brain, the pineal gland typically appears calcified.
This gland is also a mystery. Researchers are still trying to understand how it relates to conditions such as bone loss and cancer. The most important fact that is known about the gland is how it regulates your sleep/wake patterns. When your gland works properly, you’re able to obtain good sleep and live a healthier lifestyle. If your gland doesn’t work properly or is out of balance, you may want to consider activating it. There are several ways to jump start your epiphysis cerebri.
Many people take melatonin supplements to aid in the production of this hormone to regulate sleep or feel better. You can also do other things like get at least eight hours of sleep each time. Exercise regularly. Exercise on a consistent basis helps reduce anxiety and improves your sleep quality. Even a brisk walk for about 15 minutes can help. Yoga also helps reduce stress prior to going to sleep. It relaxes you and allows you to focus more.