What Is Panial Gland?

Pineal gland is a small endocrine gland in the brain. It is situated between the two hemispheres of the brain. The pineal gland is shaped like a cone and is reddish brown in color. In humans, it is about 8mm in size.
It produce the chemical melatonin. Melatonin is the substance that induces sleep. The pineal gland is stimulated to produce melatonin in the dark and inhibit its production in light.
The gland is larger in children and shrinks at puberty. Puberty is thought to be inhibited in children because of large amounts of melatonin in their system. That is why, precocious puberty may develop if there is a tumor in the pineal gland.
In adults, the pineal gland may be calcified because of high levels of fluoride in water and toothpaste but this is totally asymptomatic.
If melatonin production increases for some reason in adults, it may lead them to feeling lethargic or sleepy through out the day and reduced physical desire.