Pineal Gland –the body’s

light meter
DMT – the spirit
molecule
 Pineal Gland
 Descrates mentioned it as the seat of the soul.
 After being labeled as a vestigial organ for quite
sometime , scientists have shed new light into its
role as the body’s light meter. By the light meter
it means its role in the non-visual functions of
light.
 The intention of this presentation is to present
the latest scientific information about the pineal
gland and its role in spirituality.
 Prayer
 This picture is the
representation of
the power that is
inherent in a
prayer. The light in
the centre of the
brain is the pineal
gland being lit up,
and the opening of
the sahasrara.
 Pineal Anatomy
 Anatomy- arises from the roof
of the third ventricle under the
posterior end of the corpus
callosum and is connected by
a stalk to the posterior
commisure and habenular
commisure. There are nerve
fibres in the stalk, but they
apparently don’t reach the
gland. Its lies outside the blood
brain barrier in contact with csf
in third ventricle. It has a very
high perfusion rate of blood
second only to the kidneys.
Arterial supply from superior
cerebral artery.
 Nerve Supply of Pineal Gland
 Pineal is connected to the eye
through a special pathway,
there is a special photoreceptor
called melanopsin present in
the ganglion cells in the retina.
It is highly receptive to blue
light, its sends its signals to
Suprachiasmatic nucleus. SCN
is a part of the hypothalamus,
and is an important time
keeper. It coordinates various
rhythms in the body through
hypothalamus. Diagram shows
how it is connected to the
pineal .Presence of even little
light can switch off melatonin
production in the pineal via this
pathway.
 Pineal Histology
 Lobular parenchyma of
pinealocytes surrounded by
connective tissue spaces.
Calcifications can be present
making it visible in x rays.
 Pinealocytes secrete
melatonin.
 Other cells are interstitial cells,
perivascular phagocytes,
pineal neurons.
 Pineal Crystals
 Pineal is a calcifying tissue
and has mulberry shaped
carbonate hydroxyapatite
crystals which resemble
those in the teeth and the
bones. There are also small
non mulberry type calcite
crystals. Mechanism of
formation is unknown.
 Its controversial whether
with age the crystals
increase in number and size
and if it does have any effect
on the physiological
functions of the body.
 Pineal Crystals
 Mulberry Shaped
hydroxyapatite crystals.
 Pineal Crystals
 Non Calcite
Crystals are the
only other known
non pathological
calcite deposition
in the body other
than the otoconia
in the ear.
 Effects of Electromagnetism
 There is a growing evidence that
EMF could be affecting human
beings. For example, it has been
shown that application of very
specific temporal patterns of weak
(<1 microT) transcerebral magnetic
fields applied across the
temporoparietal region of the two
hemispheres invokes a feeling of a
sensed presence or a “Sentient
being” in normal individuals. How it
happens is not clear.
 To understand such an event one
has to look for piezoelectricity and a
chemical pathway inside.
 Studies have shown presence of
Piezoelectricity in the pineal and
the presence of an endogenous
Psychedelic and entheogen called
DMT in the brain.
 EMF effects
 Enhanced hypnotizability by cerebrally applied magnetic fields
depends upon the order of hemispheric presentation: an
anistropic effect. Tiller SG, Persinger MA.
 Circumcerebral application of weak complex magnetic fields
with derivatives and changes in electroencephalographic
power spectra within the theta range: implications for states of
consciousness. Richards MA, Koren SA, Persinger MA.
 Feelings of past lives as expected perturbations within the
neurocognitive processes that generate the sense of self:
contributions from limbic lability and vectorial hemisphericity.
Persinger MA.
 Experimental facilitation of the sensed presence is predicted
by the specific patterns of the applied magnetic fields, not by
suggestibility: re-analyses of 19 experiments. St-Pierre LS,
Persinger MA.
Pineal and Piezoelectricity
 Aluminium Crystals
 Aluminiun containing
crystals were discovered
and they are probably
responsible for the
observed piezoelectricity
in the pineal gland. This
was discovered by a
technique called second
harmonic generation in
which intense light of a
certain frequency is
subjected to a crystal, if
its piezoelectric it induces
emission of light at twice
the frequency.
Pineal Hormone Melatonin
 Melatonin
Production
 Its produced in the
pineal parenchyma
from serotonin by
enzymes AANAT
and HIOMT via
Beta adrenergic
activation. Its then
secreted into the
blood and csf.
 Melatonin and circadian rhythms
 Its secretions increase
during the night and
suppressed to a low
level during the day
time. Any light even at a
very low intensity at
night suppresses
melatonin production.
The body’s natural
light /dark cycle is of 24
hours and 11 minutes.
 Physiological actions

 Hypotensive
 Hypothermic
 Decreases
alertness
 Decreased
reaction time
 SLEEP

 Helps in inducing
Sleep. Its being
used in the
treatment of
insomnia, jet lag.
 Melatonin and onset of Puberty
 It produces seasonal changes in reproductive cycles of
lower animals. In song birds it has been discovered that
melatonin switches on a hormone called Gonadotropin
inhibitory hormone GnIH. which has been found to have
the opposite effect to the key hormone priming the body for
sex – gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH). In birds,
switching off GnRH causes the gonads – testes and ovary
– to shrink as part of the birds' yearly cycle. But in humans
its role in onset of puberty is yet to be fully described. Its
known that puberty onset is due to GnRH hormone .In
humans the gene to GnIH has been discovered and
research is on into understanding how onset of puberty
happens. Its likely that decreasing melatonin levels lowers
GnIH and increase GnRH at puberty. (Source
Eurekalert.org, AAAS)
 Melatonin –Powerful Antioxidant
 Melatonin is a major physiological antioxidant by directly
reacting with hydroxyl and peroxyl radicals, or by stimulating
the expression of superoxide dismutase, glutathione
peroxidase, or glutathione reductase. Melatonin has also
been reported to inhibit nitric oxide synthetase.
 Its more powerful than glutathione and Vit E.
 Its role as a protective agent in all types of cancers is worth
noting.
 Protection from UVR induced damage in skin has been
described.
 Also in Parkinsonism.
 It has a role in immune functions as well an antiapoptic effect
has been described.
 Chemical and physical properties and potential mechanisms:
melatonin as a broad spectrum antioxidant and free radical
scavenger. Tan DX, Reiter RJ, Manchester LC, Yan MT, El- Sawi M,
Sainz RM, Mayo JC, Kohen R, Allegra M, Hardeland R
 Effects of Night lighting
 It has been shown
that even little
light suppresses
melatonin
production. In the
present times
where terms like
“light pollution”
have to be coined.
Its imperative to
understand effects
of Night lights as
its role in cancers
is gathering
evidence.
 Childhood Leukemia
 Research shows that incidence of childhood
leukemia increased dramatically in the
twentieth century. The increase has mainly
affected the under five age group, in whom
the risk increased by more than 50 per cent
during the second half of the century alone.

 Although the causes of leukemia in children

are poorly understood, environmental
factors are thought to play a major role in
the rising incidence since changes in our
genetic make up simply do not happen on
this kind of timescale. If this is the case,
then it may be possible to take preventative
measures. Light at night disturbs the
circadian rhythms of our body and decrease
melatonin, which is antioxidant and protects
the DNA from damage by free radicals.
Sunny Research\Increase in childhood
leukaemia
may be part due to increased light at
night.htm
 Breast Cancers
 There is evidence that late night
shift workers have greater
incidence of breast cancers.
Reason is low melatonin, high
estrogen and a disturbed cortisol
cycle.
Sunny Research\Light at night and working the grave
,
Sunny Research\Link between sleep, cancer progres
 Fluoride and Pineal Fluorosis?
 A new research has shown that pineal accumulates
fluoride, just like teeth and bones do. This has lead to
wide spread debate about how safe is fluoride in our
water , toothpastes etc. In lower animals it has been
shown that fluoride accumulation in pineal lowers
puberty age. Fluoride as it affects amelioblast function in
the teeth, it could be affecting functioning of the pineal as
well. Its well known that the worldwide age of onset of
puberty is decreasing, rising fluoride levels in pineal ,
and decreasing melatonin levels could be the reason.
 The Effect of Fluoride on the Physiology of the
Pineal Gland By Jennifer Anne Luke, 1997
 Newburgh-Kingston Study ,Schlesinger et al, 1956
 The Spiritual Question
 Is there a biochemical pathway
that can help us understand , the
experience of “Being”?
 Psychedelic drugs have been well
known to produce altered states
of consciousness, mystical
experiences and presence of
Sentient Beings.
 Are their any naturally occurring
psychedelic inside our body?
 Higher consciousness states and
endogenous psychoses: a common
molecular pathway?
 Discovery of the hallucinogenic compounds
called methylated indolealkyalamines (MIAs)
(e.g. N,N-dimethylserotonin, or bufotenin, and
N,N-dimethyltryptamine, or DMT led proponents
of the transmethylation hypothesis of
schizophrenia to theorize that through some
inborn error of metabolism, serotonin or
tryptamine might undergo the addition of extra
methyl radicals, thereby forming MIAs with
hallucinogenic properties.
 Ciprian-Ollivier J, Cetkovich-Bakmas MG.
 What is DMT?
 It’s a naturally occurring
psychedelic compound
inside our body. Its also
found in plants and
animals. It is the simplest
tryptamine psychedelic.
And its is related to
neurotransmitter
serotonin and hormone
melatonin.
DMT- N,N- Dimethyltrypatmine
 History Of DMT

 R.Manske synthesized it in his lab in 1931

 Dr Stephen Szara discovered its
psychedelic effects by injecting himself
with DMT in 1950.
 It was discovered inside the human body
in 1965 by a German Research team.
 It was the first endogenous psychedelic to
be discovered .Its found in the brain ,
blood and urine.
 Production Of DMT
 DMT is created in small amounts by the human
body during normal metabolism by the enzyme
tryptamine-N-methyltransferase.
 Pineal has been suggested as the site of
production of DMT but it has to be proven.
 Its removed by MOAI’s.
 It has been shown that the brain actively
uptakes DMT across the blood brain barrier, like
it does for glucose.
 It has agonist action on the serotonin receptors.
 Trace Amine Receptors
 The recent discovery of a G-protein-coupled, human
trace amine receptor has triggered a reappraisal of the
role of compounds present in limited concentrations in
biological systems. Interestingly enough, DMT and other
psychoactive tryptamine hallucinogens elicit a robust
response at the trace amine receptor. While it is
currently accepted that serotonin 5-HT(2A) receptors
play a pivotal role in the activity of
hallucinogenic/psychedelic compounds, we propose that
the effects induced by exogenous DMT administration,
especially at low doses, are due in part to activity at the
trace amine receptor. Furthermore, we suggest that
endogenous DMT interacts with the TA receptor to
produce a calm and relaxed mental state, which may
suppress, rather than promote, symptoms of psychosis.
 Endogenous psychoactive tryptamines
reconsidered: an anxiolytic role for
dimethyltryptamine. Jacob MS, Presti DE.
 Effects
 Besides its well known psychedelic and entheogenic
effects, DMT has been seen to produce elevated blood
pressure, heart rate, pupil diameter, and rectal
temperature, in addition to elevating blood
concentrations of beta-endorphin, corticotropin, cortisol,
and prolactin. Growth hormone blood levels rose equally
in response to all doses of DMT, and melatonin levels
were unaffected.
 Human Pharmacology of Ayahuasca: Subjective and
Cardiovascular Effects, Monoamine Metabolite Excretion, and
Pharmacokinetics Jordi Riba, Marta Valle, Gloria Urbano,
Mercedes Yritia, Adelaida Morte, and Manel J. Barbanoj
 Strassman RJ and Qualls CR (1994) Dose-response
study of N,N-dimethyltryptamine in humans. I.
Neuroendocrine, autonomic and cardiovascular effects.
Arch Gen Psychiatry 51
 DMT the spirit molecule
 Spirit Molecule is one which
is able to generate higher
states of consciousness.
Exogenous DMT has been
shown to be able to
generate Meditative states in
healthy individuals. Studies
by Dr .Rick Strassmann has
generated evidence about
this. Before that James
Callaway had suggested
DMT role in Dream
consciousness.
 Future of DMT
 DMT has been a banned
drug in various countries,
making it difficult for any
studies to be conducted on
it.
 There is a need a
understand DMT role in
altered states like Death,
birth, near death
experiences, meditation.
 References
 Human pineal physiology and functional
significance of melatonin.Macchi MM, Bruce
JN.
 DMT- The Spirit Molecule By Dr Rick
Strassmann.
 Guyton Textbook of Human Physiology.