The Mysteries of the Pineal Gland

The pineal gland, sometimes called the "third eye", is a small but powerful organ in the brain. Although it is only the size of a pea, this gland has fascinated scientists, philosophers and spiritual teachers for centuries. But what exactly is the pineal gland? What does it do? And why is it seen in some cultures as a spiritual gateway? We also look at calcification of the pineal gland: what it is, and what we do and don't know about it. Read on.

In short: the pineal gland (epiphysis) is a pea-sized gland in the middle of your brain. It makes the hormone melatonin, mainly when it is dark. That is how it tells your body that it is night.

What is the pineal gland?

The pineal gland, also known as the epiphysis, is a small, cone-shaped organ in the centre of the brain, between the two hemispheres and above the thalamus. It is about the size of a pea and has a characteristic pine-cone shape, which is where its name comes from. The pineal gland is part of the endocrine system: the glands that make hormones and release them into the blood.

The biological side of the pineal gland

The main function of the pineal gland is to make the hormone melatonin. Melatonin is produced in response to darkness, and for your body it is the signal that it is night. The pineal gland makes it from serotonin, and the amount of light entering your eyes decides how much: the less light, the more melatonin. During the day there is little of it in your blood; in the evening and at night there is a lot.

In this way the pineal gland keeps your body in step with day and night. It responds to the light outside, not to the clock. That is why you notice it when the clocks change: nothing changes outside, but your day suddenly shifts by an hour. We wrote about this in our blog on the clocks changing and your body clock.

In many adults the pineal gland contains small calcium deposits. This is so common that doctors often recognise the gland by them on an X-ray or CT scan. The deposits increase as we get older. What exactly they mean for how the gland works is not yet clear.

The spiritual dimension of the pineal gland

Besides its biological function, the pineal gland also has a deep spiritual meaning for many people. In various spiritual and esoteric traditions it is called "the third eye": a gateway to higher levels of consciousness and inner vision. Cultures such as ancient Egypt and India linked the pineal gland to spiritual perception and intuition.

The gland also found a special place in Western philosophy. The French philosopher René Descartes saw the pineal gland as the place where soul and body meet. It is the only part of the brain that is not doubled, left and right, and that is exactly why he looked there for the point where everything comes together. At the same time, Descartes drew a sharp line: to him the body was a machine, and the mind something else entirely. That separation between body and mind, and between science and spirituality, shaped Western thinking for centuries. We see it differently. To us they belong together, and the pineal gland is a fine example: a gland you can measure and weigh, and one that has been regarded as the third eye for thousands of years.

From a spiritual point of view, calcification of the pineal gland is also often mentioned, especially when the gland is seen in relation to the chakras. In those traditions, calcification is associated with a sixth chakra that is out of balance.

The pineal gland and the chakras

In Indian spirituality, and today also among various spiritual therapists, the third eye is linked to the sixth chakra, also called the brow chakra (Ajna). This chakra sits in the middle of the forehead, between and slightly above the eyes, and is often associated with intuition, insight and spiritual awareness. The organs connected with this chakra are the pineal gland, the eyes and the brain.

Indian spirituality originally described seven chakras, of which the brow chakra is one. The chakras are connected and influence each other, and they are often seen as centres of energy that affect both the physical and the emotional side of our wellbeing.

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Activating the pineal gland

Some people believe it is possible to "activate" the pineal gland and so raise your level of consciousness. This might be done through meditation, visualisation, certain breathing techniques and a healthy, simple lifestyle.

Those who work on activating the pineal gland in these traditions avoid alcohol, refined sugar and artificial sweeteners as much as possible. It is also often recommended to avoid substances such as fluoride and heavy metals where you can.

The pineal gland and calcification

Search for "decalcify the pineal gland" and you will find plenty of advice. To be honest: it has not been shown that calcification can be stopped or reversed. What is known is that the deposits increase with age, and that this happens in almost everyone.

Fluoride is often mentioned in this context, and there is one concrete reason for that. In 2001 the British researcher Jennifer Luke found fluoride in the calcium deposits of the pineal gland in eleven elderly people who had died, and the more calcium, the more fluoride. Her study shows that fluoride accumulates there; it does not show whether that changes how the gland works.

Crystals in the pineal gland

Besides those deposits, the pineal gland contains something remarkable: tiny crystals of calcite, smaller than 20 micrometres. Researchers from Israel and Poland described them in 2002. In a healthy body, calcite occurs in only one other place: the inner ear, where such crystals help us sense our balance. Calcite can also be piezoelectric, like the crystal in an old record player or microphone that turns movement into an electrical signal. The researchers therefore suggested that the crystals in the pineal gland might play a part in picking up electromagnetic signals. That is a hypothesis and has not been shown. But it is a striking idea for a gland that has been seen as a receiver for so long.

Light at the right time

What the pineal gland clearly needs is a clear difference between day and night. Light during the day, as much daylight as possible and preferably early. Dimmed light in the evening, and properly dark at night. That gives the gland the signal it works on. In autumn and winter, when mornings stay dark for longer, this matters a little more.

Conclusion

The pineal gland is a fascinating organ that plays an important part in both our physical and our spiritual lives. Biologically, it is the gland that translates day and night for your body. Spiritually, it has been the third eye for centuries. Many of the myths and theories about the pineal gland have not been proven scientifically, but it remains a subject that captivates people in very different fields.

Do you have a question about this subject? Email us. We are happy to help.

Sources

René Descartes (1649). Les passions de l'âme, articles 31 and 32.
Luke, J. (2001). Fluoride deposition in the aged human pineal gland. Caries Research, 35(2), 125–128.
Baconnier, S., Lang, S.B., Polomska, M., Hilczer, B., Berkovic, G. & Meshulam, G. (2002). Calcite microcrystals in the pineal gland of the human brain: first physical and chemical studies. Bioelectromagnetics, 23(7), 488–495.

Last updated: October 2026