The pineal produces melatonin and serotonin. The amino acid percursor of
serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) is tryptophan. Adequate levels of vitamin
B6 are necessary for the synthesis of serotonin. Within the pineal gland, serotonin
is acetylated and then methylated to yield melatonin. The highest density of
melatonin receptors are found in the suprachiasmatic nucleus of the hypothalamus,
the anterior pituitary and the retina. Melatonin is a hormone that communicates
information about light and entrains biological rhythms including sleep-wake
cycles and reproduction. The light-transducing ability of the pineal gland is why
some call it the “third eye.” Melatonin inhibits the secretion of the gonadotropic
hormones luteinizing hormone and follicle stimulating hormone from the anterior
pituitary. Much of this inhibitory effect seems due to inhibition of gonadotropin-
releasing hormone from the hypothalamus.
As well as melatonin the pineal secretes other neuroactive peptides. Melatonin
has the same indole structure as LSD but neither melatonin nor LSD is the
psychoactive substance in amrita. More likely it is some form of tryptamine that the
body produces, perhaps similar to 5-MeO/DMT. Or it could be a phenethylamine
similar to Mescaline (3,4,5-trimethoxyphenethylamine). Mescaline made from the
peyote cactus is one of the oldest psychedelics known to man and is used in spiritual
ceremonies. Curiously it can produce a bright internal light. Phenethylamine is
a natural compound biosynthesized from the amino acid phenylalanine that is
believed to function as a neuromodulator or neurotransmitter.
tryptamine is a naturally occurring compound found in both the animal and
plant kingdoms and is an endogenous component of the human brain. The amino
acid phenylalanine is the precursor for phenethylamine and the essential amino-
acid tryptophan is the precursor for tryptamine, which is slightly psychedelic.
Tryptophan when administered with methionine (another amino-acid known to
methylate things) it produces methylated tryptamines, the two best studied being
N-methyltryptamine (NMT) and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). Tryptamine
and LSD have a common mode of action. Our bodies can convert the amino acid
phenylalanine to tyrosine and phenylethylamine (PEA). Tyrosine is also a precursor
to the excitatory neurotransmitters norepinephrine and dopamine.
Endogenous Dimethyltryptamine (Dmt), the naturally occurring chemical
cousin of serotonin, is a widespread and essential brain neurotransmitter. Rick
Strassman proposed that the pineal gland is responsible for manufacture of DMT.
The pineal gland has the highest levels of serotonin, as serotonin is the precursor
to melatonin. Melatonin is the primary pineal hormone, but Strassman thinks
that the gland also creates DMT. “Because it possesses the highest levels of the necessary
enzymes and precursors, the pineal gland is the most reasonable place for DMT
formation to occur.” P. 67 He says DMT maybe released during dreams, near-death,
death, birth, and during meditation and mystical experiences.
DMT increases all pituitary hormones and beta-endorphins, vasopressin,
prolactin, Growth Hormone, and corticotrophin (cortisol). It is proposed that
DMT induced surge of beta-endorphins creates euphoria. Serotonin receptors are
activated by DMT and Serotonin receptors regulate heart rate, blood pressure,