Although it’s small, the pineal gland plays a massive role in your health, says Dr Leigh Erin Connealy. Here’s how to take care of yours naturally
Nestled deep in the middle of the brain, just above the thalamus, where the right and left lobes meet, lies the pine-cone-shaped pineal gland. This minuscule structure, measuring approximately 0.8 cm and weighing around 0.1 g, is roughly the size of a grain of rice.
Known clinically as the epiphysis cerebri, the pineal gland may be tiny, but it boasts multiple crucial functions and has a central impact on our health and well-being.
The pineal gland’s primary role is regulating the sleep-wake cycle or circadian rhythm. It does this by taking in external light and dark signals received by the retinas and creating and secreting the hormone melatonin based on these inputs.
As darkness falls, the gland releases melatonin, preparing the body for sleep. And as light is introduced, it halts melatonin production, prompting wakefulness.
For our ancestors, this sleep/wake cycle began around sundown and ended with the rising sun. Unfortunately, modern technology—including electric devices and their constant onslaught of melatonin-disrupting blue light—wreaks havoc on the natural cycles nature intended (more on this later).
Classified as both an organ and a gland because it produces a hormone that’s delivered into the bloodstream, the pineal gland is one of many organs that make up the endocrine system (see below). Together, these organs and glands influence and regulate multiple biological functions, beginning in the womb and continuing into old age. The hormones they release aid in proper organ and system development and help regulate mood, sleep, growth, blood sugar and metabolism.
As you can imagine, when any organ in the endocrine system falters, the balance or homeostasis in the body is disrupted. This can lead to several health issues and diseases, including cancer.
Tumors in the pineal gland are quite rare, accounting for less than 1 percent of brain tumors, and most cases occur in children.1 The World Health Organization uses a grading system of 1–4 to classify tumors based on their rate of growth (Grade 1 is the slowest).2
These are the five most common types of pineal tumors:
Pineal tumors aren’t always cancerous. But even if they’re benign, they can cause issues since they put pressure on the brain and block the flow of cerebrospinal fluid.
Much more prevalent than pineal gland tumors is calcification of this gland. It occurs when calcium and phosphorus build up in the pineal gland. While it can occur at any age, the risk increases for older individuals, males and those of Caucasian ethnicity.4
Symptoms of calcification are somewhat rare but can mimic those of tumors: fatigue, sleep disturbances, headaches and cognitive issues.
Decalcification is possible with a handful of lifestyle measures:5
See below for more ways to support the pineal gland.
Pineal calcification can lead to health issues like migraines and Alzheimer’s disease. And since it lowers melatonin production, it can interfere with sleep, leading to more health problems.6
Decalcifying your pineal gland may boost your melatonin production, helping to prevent cancer or to fight it if you’ve already been diagnosed (whether it’s in the pineal gland or elsewhere).7
Known as the “sleep hormone,” melatonin is a powerful bioregulator produced and secreted by the pineal gland to control the body’s sleep/wake cycles. Many people don’t realize melatonin is also a potent antioxidant, scavenging free radicals and preventing the damage they do throughout the body. In the process, it neutralizes inflammation and combats oxidative stress.
Melatonin has proven cytotoxic effects on different cancer types, including some liver, breast, prostate, lung and brain cancers. A landmark meta-analysis of 10 studies published in the Journal of Pineal Research revealed that melatonin reduced the risk of many cancers by up to 34 percent.8 This may mean it can help treat cancer.
That study was published in 2005, and since then, the research has continued to support melatonin’s anticancer potential. In 2022, a group of researchers noted several beneficial functions of melatonin in cancer treatment and prevention. They also pointed out some hindrances that may slow conventional medicine’s acceptance and use of this powerful therapy.
The authors showcased melatonin’s multiple benefits: regulatory effects on tumors in different stages of cancer, including its start, progress and spread. They went on to say, “Melatonin exhibits its anticancer effects by modulating the immune system and shifting the immune response toward cancer cells in the tumor microenvironment.”9 In other words, melatonin might be useful for regulating how immune system cells around a tumor respond to it.
Nearly all clinical trials that have explored melatonin use, as either a standalone or an adjunct therapy for cancer, have had beneficial outcomes, the researchers point out. The studies showed that using melatonin led to “positive impacts on the anticancer treatment, including alleviating the chemotherapy-related side effects, reducing the incidence of depressive symptoms, and improving the quality of sleep of patients with cancer.”
Sounds like a win-win, right? So, what’s the holdup?
The number one reason you won’t see corporations rushing to create a melatonin-based pharmaceutical is that there simply isn’t big money in it. In the 2022 article above, the authors state that even though melatonin works well against cancer and doesn’t cause harm, drug companies won’t pursue it because it can’t be patented.
Melatonin can’t be sold as a drug and therefore isn’t surrounded by the dollar signs necessary to attract the pharmaceutical giants with their deep pocketbooks.
Instead of waiting for Big Pharma to create a melatonin-based medication, let’s shift gears and focus on what we can do to naturally increase our melatonin levels.
Avoid melatonin disruptors. We know the introduction of light through the retinas signals melatonin production to halt, so the obvious solution is to do what you can to avoid bright lights and other melatonin disruptors several hours before bedtime.
Smartphones, computers, tablets and TVs all emit blue light, which is well known for disrupting melatonin production and wreaking havoc on sleep.10 Data strongly suggests avoiding these devices at least 90 minutes before turning in for the night. At the very least, wear blue-light-blocking glasses to cut down on the amount of blue light absorbed.
Dim all your household lights and consider taking a warm bath by candlelight or practicing relaxation techniques to help your body prepare for slumber. Try light yoga stretches, deep breathing or meditation in a darkened room.
Make more melatonin. There are also natural ways to increase your melatonin levels. One is eating foods that contain melatonin. Good options include eggs, salmon, nuts and seeds (pistachios, almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds), tart cherries, dairy products (milk, cheese, yogurt) and goji berries.
You’ll also want to turn your bedroom into a sleep sanctuary by cutting out all light sources and making the room cool and comfortable. Unplug or cover all devices that emit light, use blackout shades or consider wearing a sleep mask if total darkness isn’t possible.
If you must get up at night and need a little light to see, use a red-spectrum light. Red wavelengths are the least disruptive to circadian rhythms, so using a dim red-hued light as a nightlight is acceptable.
Try to get out in the sunshine every day, preferably in the morning, to help regulate your natural cycle of melatonin production. Going to bed at the same time every night and waking at the same time each morning also helps synchronize your circadian rhythms and promotes better sleep overall.
Supplement with melatonin. To facilitate sleep and help regulate circadian rhythms, low doses of melatonin ranging from 1–3 mg typically do the trick. As a cancer therapy, higher therapeutic levels are required.
You’ll need to work closely with your physician or oncologist to determine the proper dose for you (and in the UK, melatonin is a prescription-only medicine). For my patients, I typically prescribe 10–20 mg—and sometimes even higher doses—depending on their specific needs.
Melatonin is generally safe, well tolerated and beneficial for most people. However, it’s contraindicated in a handful of situations.
Again, work with a practitioner well versed in functional medicine to determine whether melatonin is right for you. To find a doctor near you, search the physician directories at the Institute for Functional Medicine (ifm.org) and the American College for Advancement in Medicine (acam.org).
The pineal gland is one of many organs that make up the endocrine system. These are some of the others:
Pineal tumors are rare and, if caught early, have an excellent prognosis. Because the symptoms associated with pineal tumors can often result from other health issues, it’s important to work with your doctor to figure out the root cause. If symptoms worsen quickly, it could indicate calcification of the pineal gland, a fast-growing tumor or another serious problem.
These are some common complaints:
Whether you have cancer or not, getting a good night’s sleep and ensuring proper pineal gland function are critical to your health.
A handful of methods have been shown to stimulate and support this crucial gland:
In Hinduism, Buddhism and other spiritual contexts, the pineal gland is often referred to as the third or invisible eye and is associated with the sixth chakra of the body. Its correlation with light and circadian regulation, coupled with its location deep in the middle brain, is said to connect the spiritual world to the physical one.
Many holistic and spiritual practitioners believe activating the third eye can lead to spiritual awakening, increased intuition, improved sense of one’s surroundings, improved mental health and even boosted creativity. Common practices for opening or activating the third eye include yoga, meditation, mindfulness, deep breathing and chanting.
Whether or not you buy into the idea of balancing chakras, everyone can benefit from slowing down, taking a mindful approach to life, and practicing yoga and other mind-body exercises.
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