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The pineal gland is an endocrine gland, like the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, adrenal gland, and pancreas. Like other endocrine glands, it secretes a hormone -- in this case melatonin. The pineal gland was the last endocrine gland to have its function unveiled, partially because of its small size, roughly that of a pea, and its structural uniformity. It was not until the 1960s that scientists determined its function, having thought for several decades that it was merely a vestigial organ like the appendix. Because of our relative ignorance about the pineal gland for so long, it became the object of mythical theories and attributions. Rene Descartes called it the "seat of the soul" because it appeared to be the only brain structure not composed of two symmetrical parts, although later analysis proved this to be untrue. Compounding these rumors was the fact that the pineal gland is lodged very deep in the brain, close to its center. Various shaman-types have claimed that the pineal gland secretes natural psychedelics and is somehow a connection between the earthly realm and a spirit world. These speculations are likely false !!!!!
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The pineal gland is an endocrine gland located near the center of your brain. (In some other animals, however, it is located in different areas, like nearer to the skin.) It's a gland that produces hormones to be released into your blood stream. The most notable hormone it produces is called melatonin, which makes you feel sleepy.