The Pine al Gland

The pineal gland, a structure about the size of a pea, is located

slightly above and behind the hypothalamus. It receives
information via the thalamus from the eyes about light and
dark cycles. It is involved in rhythmic behavior, such as sleep
cycles for humans, but it is much more complicated in animals.
For example, the pineal gland is crucial in helping birds
decide when it is time to fly south for the winter. The pineal
gland secretes the hormone melatonin, a modified amino
acid that is derived from the neurotransmitter serotonin.
Melatonin is released at night and acts within the brain to
affect the cyclic behaviors. During winter, the length of the
dark period increases, so more melatonin is released. This
release connects daily cycles with seasonal cycles. Humans,
however, do not have seasonal behaviors like animals that
reproduce only at certain times of the year. The significance
of melatonin and the pineal gland in humans is not clear.
Many people believe that the body produces less melatonin
as it ages and that this is one of the causes of aging. Some
people use over-the-counter preparations of melatonin to
fight jetlag and insomnia because it helps adjust the bodys
sleep-wake cycle.
Scientists are fairly certain that melatonin levels are
involved in seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a condition that
can be debilitating. For some people, the reduced amount of
daylight during winter produces a craving for carbohydrates
and causes lethargy and sometimes depression. SAD is often
treated by exposing the sufferer to elevated levels of full-spectrum
lightlight that has all of the wavelengths of sunlight
(red to violet). Regular artificial lights do not have all of the
wavelengths. Some individuals may be given melatonin and
antidepressants as well.

From : The Endocrine System.2009. Rushton,Lynette.Infobase Publishing