History of the pineal gland

Shoja, Mohammadali Mohajel; Hoepfner, Lauren D.; Agutter, Paul S.; Singh, Rajani; Tubbs, R. Shane

doi:10.1007/s00381-015-2636-3

Cited by 7 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…The central location and singularity of the pineal as an unpaired organ, as well as its extensive vascularization, described by Andreas Vesalius (1514–1564), are likely the basis for Descartes’ (1596–1650) conceptualization of the pineal as the "seat of the soul," or as the organ coordinating psychophysiological functions. Additionally, the “third eye” of Hindu spiritual enlightenment is described as originally being a third eyeball that atrophied into the pineal gland (cited by Shoja et al, (2016)). As Graham St John notes, “Speculative science on the DMT gland has inspired writers of fiction, screenwriters and musicians who’ve appropriated the pineal-DMT meme as a device to advance narratives vested in diverse metaphysical perspectives on the human condition.” (St John, 2017: 154).…”

Section: Historical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

N,N-dimethyltryptamine and the pineal gland: Separating fact from myth

Nichols

2017

J Psychopharmacol

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The pineal gland has a romantic history, from pharaonic Egypt, where it was equated with the eye of Horus, through various religious traditions, where it was considered the seat of the soul, the third eye, etc. Recent incarnations of these notions have suggested that N,N-dimethyltryptamine is secreted by the pineal gland at birth, during dreaming, and at near death to produce out of body experiences. Scientific evidence, however, is not consistent with these ideas. The adult pineal gland weighs less than 0.2 g, and its principal function is to produce about 30 µg per day of melatonin, a hormone that regulates circadian rhythm through very high affinity interactions with melatonin receptors. It is clear that very minute concentrations of N,N-dimethyltryptamine have been detected in the brain, but they are not sufficient to produce psychoactive effects. Alternative explanations are presented to explain how stress and near death can produce altered states of consciousness without invoking the intermediacy of N,N-dimethyltryptamine.

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Section: Historical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

N,N-dimethyltryptamine and the pineal gland: Separating fact from myth

Nichols

2017

J Psychopharmacol

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“…Considering the light sensitive cells in the pineal, which are present as the gland derived from a third eye which atrophied to the brain (Shoja et al, 2016), there is a possibility, at least hypothetically, for a role of the pineal and closed eye hallucinations or images during dreaming although such a hypothesis remains highly speculative and is not corroborated by any reliable studies.…”

Section: Possible Roles For Endogenous Dmtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Rick Strassman's studies in the 90s, and his subsequent book on the study, DMT: The Spirit Molecule, led to much interest in the role of DMT and the pineal gland and its link with hallucinatory experiences and potential metaphysical roles (Luke et al., 2018 ; St John, 2016 ; Strassman, 2001 ). This interest has been partly based on René Descartes' hypotheses on the role of the pineal and the observation that INMT and DMT have been detected in the pineal gland (Barker, 2018b ; Cozzi et al., 2011 ; Nichols, 2017 ; Shoja et al., 2016 ; Strassman, 2001 ). Strassman hypothesised that DMT secreted in the pineal gland during foetal development and death may act as a form of mechanism for the ‘mindstream’ (i.e.…”

Section: Possible Roles For Endogenous Dmtmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Considering other DMT and pineal gland hypotheses, whilst DMT could play a role in dreaming, no studies of DMT expression and circadian rhythms have been conducted and pinealectomised rats did not display differences in rapid‐eye movement (REM) sleep which casts doubt on the relevance of DMT synthesis in the pineal and dreaming (Barker, 2018b ; Barker et al, 2013 ; Nichols, 2017 ). Considering the light sensitive cells in the pineal, which are present as the gland derived from a third eye which atrophied to the brain (Shoja et al., 2016 ), there is a possibility, at least hypothetically, for a role of the pineal and closed eye hallucinations or images during dreaming although such a hypothesis remains highly speculative and is not corroborated by any reliable studies.…”

Section: Possible Roles For Endogenous Dmtmentioning

confidence: 99%

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N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and Amazonian ayahuasca plant medicine

James

Keppler

Robertshaw

et al. 2022

Human Psychopharmacology

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Objective Reports have indicated possible uses of ayahuasca for the treatment of conditions including depression, addictions, post‐traumatic stress disorder, anxiety and specific psychoneuroendocrine immune system pathologies. The article assesses potential ayahuasca and N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT) integration with contemporary healthcare. The review also seeks to provide a summary of selected literature regarding the mechanisms of action of DMT and ayahuasca; and assess to what extent the state of research can explain reports of unusual phenomenology. Design A narrative review. Results Compounds in ayahuasca have been found to bind to serotonergic receptors, glutaminergic receptors, sigma‐1 receptors, trace amine‐associated receptors, and modulate BDNF expression and the dopaminergic system. Subjective effects are associated with increased delta and theta oscillations in amygdala and hippocampal regions, decreased alpha wave activity in the default mode network, and stimulations of vision‐related brain regions particularly in the visual association cortex. Both biological processes and field of consciousness models have been proposed to explain subjective effects of DMT and ayahuasca, however, the evidence supporting the proposed models is not sufficient to make confident conclusions. Ayahuasca plant medicine and DMT represent potentially novel treatment modalities. Conclusions Further research is required to clarify the mechanisms of action and develop treatments which can be made available to the general public. Integration between healthcare research institutions and reputable practitioners in the Amazon is recommended.

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“…In previous centuries the gland's functions were based on superstition and a misunderstanding of its anatomy. However, even with our better understanding of the gland, all of its functions have yet to be determined (11).…”

Section: Historymentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent descriptions on physiological concepts of the pineal gland: what's new?

Hoz¹,

Viracacha-López²,

Sarmiento-Palma³

et al. 2021

roneuro

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The pineal gland is an endocrine organ located in the cranial vault. Its endocrine function has been extensively studied and has been found to be the cause of important regulatory functions in the physiology of the human body. Although the initial approaches to the suggestive action of this organ on the organism were of a philosophical and spiritual nature, in the last century technological advances have made it possible to clearly elucidate its effector function as an endocrine gland. In this order of ideas, the objective of this review is to address basic and recent descriptions of the physiology of the pineal gland.

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History of the pineal gland

Cited by 7 publications

References 9 publications

N,N-dimethyltryptamine and the pineal gland: Separating fact from myth

N,N-dimethyltryptamine and the pineal gland: Separating fact from myth

N,N‐dimethyltryptamine and Amazonian ayahuasca plant medicine

Recent descriptions on physiological concepts of the pineal gland: what's new?

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