It might have more extensive therapeutic applications in the future, since multiple physiological roles have been attributed to melatonin. Melatonin itself is used as a therapy for certain sleep disorders related to circadian rhythm abnormalities such as delayed sleep phase syndrome, non-24h sleep wake disorder and jet lag. The rhythmic production of melatonin, normally secreted only during the dark period of the day, is extensively used as a marker of the phase of the internal circadian clock. Changing photoperiod is indicated by the duration of melatonin secretion and is used by photoperiodic species to time their seasonal physiology. The main function of the pineal gland is to receive information about the state of the light-dark cycle from the environment and convey this information by the production and secretion of the hormone melatonin. The pineal gland was described as the “Seat of the Soul” by Renee Descartes and it is located in the center of the brain.
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