1. The Pineal Gland
And Melatonin
By Rebecca Coughlin

2. The Pineal Gland
Is a small pine cone-shaped endocrine gland located near the center of the brain and attached to the posterior end of the roof of the third ventricle in the brain. It is stimulated by nerves from the eyes.

3. Melatonin: Hormone produced by the Pineal Gland
Amine Hormone; derived from tryptophan
Target receptors are located in plasma membrane; uses second-messenger system
Regulates human sleep-wake cycles
Stimulated by darkness, inhibited by light
Suspected to affect reproductive functions
Linked to onset of puberty

4. SAD (Season Affective Disorder)
Caused when too much melatonin is produced, especially during the long nights of winter, causing profound depression, oversleeping, weight gain, tiredness, or sadness. Treatment consists of exposure to bright lights for several hours each day to inhibit melatonin production.
SAD (Season Affective Disorder)

5. Melatonin supplements can be taken to help combat: Jet Lag
Insomnia of the elderly
Various Sleep Disorders
and more
Steady exposure to light can disrupt the natural production of melatonin and disrupt the body’s biological clock and cause sleeping problems.

7. Quiz Where is melatonin produced? -the pineal gland
What stimulates the Pineal Gland? –darkness/night
What type of hormone is Melatonin? –amine hormone
What does Melatonin regulate? -the sleep-wake cycle/ biological clock
What disorder is caused by too much melatonin? -seasonal affective disorder