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Article: Melatonin and the pineal gland.
- Article from:
- Journal of Neuroscience Nursing
- Article date:
- April 1, 2002
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Abstract: The pineal gland is an enigma within the central nervous system that appears to exert tremendous control over the homeostatic mechanisms of the body. In the animal kingdom, the pineal gland and the hormone it produces, melatonin, regulate circadian rhythms, sleep-wake cycles, thermal and immunologic systems, and reproductive capability. Human research has demonstrated that the pineal gland also plays a role in sleep disturbances, menstrual and reproductive irregularities, psychological and behavioral disorders, and may even serve as a tumor inhibitory gland. Although research is still in the early stages, it is apparent that the pineal gland and melatonin have ...