Live Right Now - Episode 023 – The Pineal Gland We Never Knew What we don’t know is more liberating than what we think we know. The holy temple is a living miracle and every part has a designated purpose. To assume God created us to have a gland or organ that does nothing lacks knowledge. We were told the appendix is useless and must be removed, yet Duke Medical Center immunologists’ et. al. researchers reveal it actually produces good probiotic bacteria, harbors and protects good microbes for the gut by "rebooting" the digestive, microbiome system.  I don’t recall being advised that keeping A healthy gut microbiome serves mind and body affecting the temple throughout life by controlling digestion, immune system, central nervous system and other bodily processes. Useless? I also don’t remember being extensively educated about the pineal gland. The pea size pineal is situated right in the center of the brain. Often referred to as the third eye, this small, pinecone-shaped endocrine organ secretes melatonin that regulates your daily sleep-wake patterns, hormone levels, stress levels, boosts moods, enhances sex, physical performance, and even increasing longevity by as much as 10-25% according to Stanford University.  Pineal Gland Essentials Of the endocrine organs, the function of the pineal gland was the last discovered. Located deep in the center of the brain, the pineal gland was once known as the “third eye.” The pineal gland produces melatonin, which helps maintain circadian rhythm and regulate reproductive hormones. It is an endocrine gland sitting alone in the brain, level with our eyes. The pineal gland produces melatonin and regulates our daily and seasonal circadian rhythms. Melatonin is the chemical in charge of our sleep cycles and the quality of our sleep, and it also regulates the onset of puberty. Melatonin is responsible for fighting against free radicals. A decline in melatonin triggers the ageing process in the body. Serotonin, the neurotransmitter or happy chemical responsible for our mood, is transformed into melatonin only in the pineal gland. Scientific evidence supports the possibility that our third eye, or pineal, was once our first eye. Under the microscope, the pineal is made up of cells that have the same features as the rod-shaped light sensitive cells found in our retinas. The pineal gland receives signals that travel down the optic nerves. It seems the primitive third eye functioned as a sight organ before our current set of eyes. The pineal gland gives a perception of the world around us through our senses. It controls the action of light upon our body and is located beneath the cerebral cortex where the two hemispheres of the brain join. This is the place where the brain regulates consciousness and interprets the body’s sensory and motor functions. Hinduism, Buddhism and Taoism believe there’s a divine side of the pineal gland. Our third eye connects soul energy to your body. Once your pineal gland is activated to the world of spirituality, it may seem as if you’re more conscious; connected to the universal flow of heavenly energy. This can be achieved through meditation, yoga or shamanistic plant medicine. This may be a stretch for some of you, but the pineal gland, “all seeing eye”, third eye symbol, can be seen on the back of the American dollar bill and statues of the pineal exist at the Vatican. Be mindful it’s been known for decades that fluoride in our water and toothpaste is kryptonite to the pineal. To reactivate your pineal gland, you first need to eliminate sources of fluoride and cut out junk foods, especially soda. If you don’t change this part of your diet, you won’t gain any ground. Plant-foods like cilantro, garlic, lemon juice, and coconut oil may help detox, but It also may be worth considering a full body detox. Foods that definitely support the pineal gland are turmeric, cacao beans, green plants and vegetables, spring water, reishi mushroom tea, wheatgrass juices,