The Pineal Gland, also known as the pineal body, conarium or epiphysis cerebri, is a small endocrine gland in the vertebrate brain. Nearly all vertebrate species possess a pineal gland.
This gland produces melatonin, a serotonin derived hormone, which affects the modulation of sleep patterns in both seasonal and circadian rhythms. In humans, circadian rhythms are genetically programmed to synchronize with night and day. Darkness is the stimulus of the Pineal Gland, opposite of the stimulus of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus.
In the absence of light or melanopsin, melatonin is produced by the pineal gland. In humans, it induces an almost irresistible urge to sleep. Its primary function is to signal day length to the SCN so that it can synchronize the day/night cycle with:
- Endocrine rhythms
- Body temperature
- Glucose homeostasis
- Lipogenesis
- Locomotor activity
How much sleep do we really need?
Is clicking/pressing the snooze button helpful?
But what if you gradually lose the need to sleep?
The melatonin hormone can be used as a sleep aid and in the treatment of sleep disorders. It can be taken orally as capsules, tablets, or liquid. It is also available in a form to be used sublingually, and there are transdermal patches. There have been few long-term clinical trials in the use of melatonin in humans.
REFERENCES:
- http://www.livescience.com/5269-study-sleepy.html
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineal_gland
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Melatonin
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVQlcxiQlzI
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6zcSFA7ymo
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNhDkKAvxFk
- http://starshipearththebigpicture.com/2012/10/23/restoring-pineal-gland-endocrine-system-function-with-sungazing/
- http://www.patient.co.uk/doctor/pineal-gland-and-circadian-rhythms
