The “mind's eye” or “third eye” is a hot topic on the Internet which is frequently associated with the pineal gland.

The name pineal is based on the resemblance of the gland to a pine cone. In ancient civilizations one can find rather widespread symbolism involving the pine cone. Here is an example from the Vatican, this bronze statue of a pine cone was once a fountain next to the temple of Isis near the Pantheon. It is about 4 meters, or 13 feet high.

If you're interested, there is an entire website dedicated to third eye / pine cone symbolism. Also, in European history René Descartes speculated that the human soul was housed in the pineal gland, and the Theosophy movement associated the pineal gland with the Hindu concept of a third eye.

It's fascinating that modern science has discovered that the pineal gland, like the eyes, possesses "cone-type" and "rod-type" photoreceptors. Link to study

My post yesterday was admittedly quite dry. Before getting into the more esoteric aspects of the pineal gland I decided to simply cite scientific studies which demonstrated that the pineal gland was rather remarkable. The pineal gland has crystals which are influenced by electromagnetic fields. One might postulate that these crystals could also be influenced by frequencies – very new age friendly.

Similarly, I also linked to a study which demonstrated that, like some deep sea life, the pineal gland is capable of bioluminescense, i.e. its calcite micro crystals produce a "cold" light in the blue-green light spectrum (bioluminescense) without heat. The notion of the “mind's eye” seems to have gotten a bit of a boost.

If you take the esoteric route, you will associate the pineal gland with the third eye and attach great importance to it. But even if we simply focus on the scientifically accepted role of the pineal gland, it is important. It produces the hormone melatonin, which has several funtions in the central nervous system, among them modulating sleep patterns.

For that reason alone it is worth striving to keep this gland healthy, which can be done by combating calcification of this gland and its crystals.

Calcification

Calcification of the pineal gland is typical in young adults, and has been observed in children as young as two years of age. Calcium and phosphorus deposits in the pineal gland have been correlated with aging. By old age, the pineal gland contains about the same amount of fluoride as teeth. Pineal fluoride and pineal calcium are correlated.

The calcified gland is often seen in skull X-Rays. Calcification rates vary widely by country and correlate with an increase in age, with calcification occurring in an estimated 40% of Americans by their seventeenth year. Calcification of the pineal gland is largely associated with corpora arenacea, also known as "brain sand".

Some studies show that the degree of pineal gland calcification is significantly higher in patients with Alzheimer's disease vs. other types of dementia. Pineal gland calcification may contribute to the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and may reflect an absence of crystallization inhibitors. Calcification of the pineal gland has also been found to be closely associated to certain types of migraines as well as cluster headaches. (source of this handy synopsis is Wikipedia)

Fluoride, bad news for Americans

Thankfully here in Germany and Austria it is banned in drinking water. It is widespread in America and is one of the leading causes of pineal gland calcification. Even if you filter your drinking water, what about soft drinks, coffee, or the steam in the shower?

What to do?

There are several things you can do to combat calcification. There is an entire website dedicated to doing just that:

Here are some helpful articles:
Top 5 Foods for the Pineal Gland by Dr. Ed Group

Decalcify Your Pineal Gland‏: Awaken with this Superfoods Diet

I've discovered I do already do several things are quite effective in combating the calcification of the pineal gland. As always, do your own research and seek professional medical advice before trying – this is simply part of my personal routine.

I start the day with a glass of structured water with a shot of apple cider vinegar.

Later, a half glass of red beet juice, with curcumin, drop of Lugol's iodine, MSM (plant based sulfur), wheatgrass powder, black pepper, chlorophyll, & ashwagandha root powder.
Yes, it tastes as bad as it looks ;-)

After a workout a smoothie with a heaping tablespoon of cocoa powder, and I also take a boron tablet -- both are said to be helpful in combating calcification of the pineal gland.

Okay, I hope this will motivate you to take are of this tiny but powerful gland. Have a great weekend and thanks for stopping by!

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Photos

Lead photo and Vatican photo are stock images no attribution required with effects by @roused

Red beet concoction photo by @roused