The concept of decalcifying the pineal gland is an alternative practice. Practitioners believe by reducing calcifications on the pineal gland, you’re less likely to have medical conditions, such as migraine or problems sleeping. While there’s not a lot of research to support that decalcifying the pineal gland can improve your sleep or other medical concerns, keep reading to learn more about what researchers do know about the pineal gland and calcium deposits. Your pineal gland is a small, soybean-sized gland located in the brain. This gland is responsible for producing melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate sleep and wakefulness.
Light cues from the eye signal the pineal gland to produce melatonin or stop releasing melatonin. Your melatonin levels usually peak at night when it’s dark, which helps you to feel sleepy.
Researchers have identified that the pineal gland develops calcifications or calcium spots. The pineal gland isn’t the only part of the body that can become calcified. Calcifications can form on heart valves, in the joints, and even in breast tissue. Sometimes, in the case of the heart, calcifications can impair the way the organ works. According to an article in the journal Molecules Trusted Source, pineal calcifications can impair the gland’s ability to produce melatonin.
Doctors don’t exactly know why the pineal gland develops calcifications — but there are a few theories. Aging may contribute to pineal gland calcifications. However, doctors have found pineal gland calcifications in infants, which means aging isn’t likely the only contributing factor. Another theory is that the more metabolically active the pineal gland is, the more likely it is to form calcium deposits. Researchers have conducted animal studies where gerbils who were exposed to less light than others had higher amounts of pineal gland calcifications.
Darkness strongly influences melatonin production as a cue for you to feel sleepy. If the pineal gland has to produce less melatonin, it’s possible fewer calcium deposits form. A final theory is that having certain chronic medical conditions increases the likelihood of pineal gland calcifications and vice versa Examples of these medical conditions include:
Alzheimer’s disease
migraine attacks
kidney disease
schizophrenia
Melatonin can have an antioxidant, protective effect on the brain. Medical conditions that may damage the brain or organs could potentially have an effect on the pineal gland. Research is mixed whether pineal gland calcification causes symptoms at all. Potential symptoms of a calcified pineal gland may include insomnia and migraine attacks. Some researchers suggest the reduction in the pineal gland’s output of melatonin is the reason why older adults may have more difficulty sleeping or may find their sleep rhythms are “off,” such as feeling sleepy during the day or awake at night. However, a study published in the Journal of the Belgian Society of Radiology found that there wasn’t a connection between the size of a person’s pineal gland, which usually shrinks with age, and problems sleeping.
Researchers have studied a potential connection between increased fluoride exposure and pineal gland calcifications. Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral that some areas add to their water supply to reduce tooth decay. The mineral is present in most toothpaste because some believe that it helps to strengthen tooth enamel. Exposing teeth to excessive fluoride alters calcium signaling, mitochondrial function, and gene expression in the cells forming tooth enamel—a novel explanation for how dental fluorosis, a condition caused by overexposure to fluoride during childhood, arises.
Fluoride is naturally attracted to calcium, and some researchers believe increased fluoridation leads to increased pineal gland calcifications. too much fluoride can cause dental fluorosis—a discoloration of teeth, usually with opaque white marks, lines, or mottled enamel and poor mineralization. Dental fluorosis occurs when children between birth and around nine years of age are exposed to high levels fluoride during this critical window when their teeth are forming, and can actually increase their risk of tooth decay. A survey by the CDC found that roughly 25 percent of the U.S. population examined (ages 6 to 49) show some degree of dental fluorosis.
A 2019 animal study in rats found those who were placed on a fluoride-free diet for 4 to 8 weeks experienced a greater increase in the number of pineal gland cells compared with those who consumed fluoridated food and drinking water. People who try to decalcify the pineal gland will often stop consuming fluoridated water. If you’re on a public water system, you can request support from your water supplier, which will contain information about fluoride and chlorine, which is another mineral that may contribute to calcifications. As an alternative, some people will either filter their water or drink bottled water. Chlorine does not usually get into the body through your skin. The amount of chlorine in the water is usually too low to cause breathing problems. Some people who are very sensitive to chlorine could experience skin irritation.
Some try to avoid using toothpaste that contains. Fluoride is also used in pesticides and some chemicals used to create non-stick compounds for pots and pans. Some people may eat organic foods and avoid processed foods in an attempt to reduce fluoride consumption. While calcium consumed through natural foods shouldn’t affect a person’s pineal gland, excess calcium supplementation could be problematic. Following the recommended daily allowance for calcium, using supplements only when needed.