The Pineal Gland

[Original Poster]

Don't move this thread, eh? So I have a question and I'm hoping to get less answers on the speculation end and more answers on the research end. What is the Pineal Gland for? I've read it secretes melatonin meaning it has a central role in regulating our sleep cycle. Is that its whole purpose though? Some biologists claim because the pinealocytes look so similar to the photoreceptor cells of the eye, it shares an evolutionary root with retina cells. This seems to be more than coincidence since the third eye has been involved in so much unrelated cultural mythology. I believe it was Descartes that first made the connection with the pineal gland and the third eye. It's also been hypothesized by Dr. Rick Strassman that the pineal gland regulates the chemical DMT which is also used in shamanic vision quests by the Inca. So my speculation is that the pineal gland directly relates to the inner eye or imagination. It may be either the ability to conceive visual data or could possibly be the ability to perceive stimuli invisible to the outer eyes. I'm not sure which, perhaps it is both as the stimuli I refer to rests in the scope of possibility and fantasy.