What would happen if endocrine production stopped in the pineal gland?
The Pineal gland converts Nervous System Signals to Endocrine Signals. The pineal gland, through its production of melatonin and its effect on serotonin, affects many neuro-endocrine functions. Reduced melatonin, through various pathways, disrupts cortisol rhythms, and significantly impairs the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.(24) As well, one study has shown a reciprocal relationship between the pineal and pituitary gland,(25) so that if the pineal is impaired, it affects the pituitary. This has a whole cascade of effects on the other glands and hormone production.
