5Common Disorders Associated With the Pineal Gland
Circadian rhythm disorders are the most common health issue associated with the pineal gland. These conditions happen when the synchrony between your patterns of sleep and wakefulness does not align with the natural rhythm of darkness and light or societal norms. Typical signs include irregular awakenings and bedtimes, improperly timed sleepiness, or insomnia. Common circadian sleep disorders include:
– Advanced sleep phase syndrome: Early awakening in the morning and early sleep
– Delayed sleep phase syndrome: Difficulty falling asleep and waking early
– Irregular sleep-wake rhythm: Shorter intervals of sleep during the day rather than a prolonged sleep during the night
– Non-24 or free-running: Usually in blind individuals
Another health issue related to the pineal gland is seasonal affective disorder, which mostly occurs during the winter when the night is long. Typical symptoms include weight gain and decreased physical activity. A useful treatment is phototherapy. This method uses artificial light to aid in the production of melatonin. [5]
