Ayurveda Understanding of Circadian Rhythm, Pineal Gland and Functions and Dysfunctions of Melatonin
Article by Dr Raghuram Y.S. MD (Ay) & Dr Manasa S, B.A.M.S
Circadian Rhythm is a simple yet complex mechanism of how the sleep-awake cycle takes place in the human body. This is a natural inbuilt process which runs all by itself and in a natural and balanced way with proper and healthy functioning of pineal gland and melatonin, a hormone secreted by pineal gland. So, pineal gland, secretion of melatonin and circadian rhythm are all interrelated in a closed loop and are interdependent. If all these operate in a normal and natural way, the person sleeps well and at the proper time. When the time, quality and quantity of sleep is proper and in accordance with practices syncing with circadian rhythm, he will also wake up at proper time, fresh and energetic.
Sleep deprivation or insomnia or sleep disorders might stem out from bad and unhealthy sleep practices in relation to time, quality and quantity and also due to imbalance of circadian rhythm as caused by dysfunctions of pineal gland and melatonin secretion.
This will eventually lead to a wide array of psycho-somatic health issues.
Related Readings –
– Circadian Rhythm
– Pineal Gland – All you need to know about!
– Melatonin – all you need to know about!
Understanding Pineal Gland and Melatonin secretion and their functioning in regulation and balance of Circadian Rhythm from Ayurveda Perspective
Since Pineal Gland is situated in the brain (head), its functions are directly related to those of Prana & Udana Vayu. The functions of Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha too can be attributed to the neuro-endocrine functions of this gland.
Since it serves as the key link between the nervous system and hormonal regulation, the functions of Pineal Gland represents synchronized functional axis of Prana Vata with other Vata Subtypes, which grossly and subtly represents the functions of the entire orchestra of hormonal / endocrinal system.
It is the combination of same dosha subtypes located in the head, along with Manas and Indriyas (and their functions) which maintain the sleep-wake cycle, circadian rhythm and seasonal biological rhythms in their state of balanced synchrony – which are in turn regulated by melatonin, a hormone produced by Pineal Gland
The MIND Factor
The Manas-Tamas-Kapha-Vata Axis in balancing Circadian Rhythm – The sleep wake cycle is dependent on many factors according to Ayurveda. The mind, tired from day long activities, should get detached from its senses and their objects. Then the person goes to sleep. This is not a one day affair. This should be a practice and pattern. This will set the circadian rhythm. If we try to meddle in this process and disrupt the sleep pattern by getting our mind indulged forcibly in the objects of senses, the wake-up pattern too will be disturbed and hence the circadian rhythm.
Vata controls the mind, and sensory perception. So, at night, the mind and vata should go to a state of pause and rest. Sleep is also explained as a natural phenomenon according to Ayurveda – Ratri Swabhava / Prakruta. Excess sleepiness (Atinidrata) is attributed to excessive increase in Kapha. So, natural sleep will include a natural (not pathological) surge in kapha along with vata going to a calm state along with detachment of manas. Basically, at sleep, the tamas quality of kapha should slightly dominate the rajas quality of vata.
So, the manas-vata-kapha-tamas axis too should be balanced for the circadian rhythm to be intact and also for its smooth maintenance. This axis and related sequence can be attributed to the functions of pineal gland and melatonin hormone.
We also know that excessive awakening at night will cause an increase of vata (jagarana) and this vata will further cause sleeplessness or insomnia on a long run. This will lead to disruption of circadian rhythm.
Dysfunctions of pineal gland or melatonin can be attributed to vata increase and vice versa. Melatonin regulation depends on balance of Prana Vata-Tarpaka Kapha-Manas axis, also plugged in with Sadhaka Pitta balance.
Melatonin and its functions – Ayurveda Understanding
As discussed, Pineal Gland is located in the brain, in the head – which is a seat of Prana Vayu, Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha.
The functions of hormones are similar to those carried on by Vata, seeing their widespread influence on multi-organs and multi-functions.
So, the functions of Pineal gland and also the hormone that it secretes i.e. melatonin are mainly due to a balanced functioning of Prana Vata with synchronized integration and cooperation of Sadhaka Pitta and Tarpaka Kapha with Prana Vata.
Melatonin controls internal biological rhythms. Its balance is crucial for the sleep-awake cycle to be intact, which is one of the principles which governs good health.
Natural Nidra, the MANAS factor & the game of Rajas and Tamas in relation to light & dark (day & night) theory of Circadian Rhythm
One naturally sleeps at night. According to Ayurveda, this happens when the tired mind (klanta manas) detaches itself from the senses (and hence the sense objects). The mind loses its contact with the outside world and the person goes to sleep. This detachment of mind appears as if the mind is going into a deep darkness of rest. So, the deactivation of mind in darkness of night can be understood as predominance of kapha-bhava and its tamas quality of mind (kapha too is made up of tamas), masking the rajas quality of mind (related to vata) which is responsible for alertness.
Vata, as a rule, is predominant in evenings and nights. The detachment of mind and activation of tamo guna and kapha bhava would calm the vata and its activities, that too in the early part of the sleep cycle. This is when the person sleeps.
The entire cycle of events explained above can be correlated with the activation of melatonin in the dark of the night and initiating sleep.
The reverse process takes place in the daytime. In spite of the early morning being a kapha time period as a rule, the rajo guna of vata (and pitta) gets activated naturally due to daylight and initiates alertness. This can be correlated with the deactivation of melatonin due to the influence of the light and brightness of the day.
So, from Ayurveda perspective, the sleep-awake cycle or circadian rhythm governed by melatonin falls into the functional territory of activation of tamo-bhava at night (and also kapha bhava) and rajo-bhava at morning (and also vata and pitta bhava) in sync with the detachment of manas with its senses (and objects) at night and its attachment and activation with the same, in the daytime.
Vata & Melatonin
Since Melatonin is a hormone and a chemical messenger, it works on the policy of Vata. Endocrine functions have Vata Bhava (vata like functions). Melatonin is secreted at evening, vata time. So, vata is involved in the release of melatonin by the pineal gland. On the other hand, melatonin, like other hormones, activates the vata system. At night, added with detachment of mind from senses, the activity of vata tapers and the consequent reduction of rajo guna activates tamo guna, which in turn enhances the kapha bhava. The combined effect will induce sleep in individuals.
Benefits and Harmful Effects of NIDRA – understood in ‘MELATONIN’ language
Regulation of sleep and circadian rhythm by Melatonin bestows many health benefits including mental and emotional well-being, skin and hair health, optimal functioning of internal organs etc. The benefits of sleep – i.e. sukha (pleasure, happiness, mental and emotional well-being, balance), pushti (nourishment, growth), bala (strength, immunity, endurance), vrushata (good sexual health, reproductive health), jnana (balance of higher intellectual functions, wisdom, perception of knowledge, memory etc) and jivita (all life-related functions) and the health of organs, tissues and organ systems involved in carrying these activities can be attributed to balanced functioning of melatonin.
On the other hand, all diseases, conditions and imbalances caused due to dysfunctions of pineal gland and melatonin are described in the opposite features (damaging or harmful symptoms / conditions) mentioned against the beneficial features of NIDRA vis-a-vis sleep. They are – Dukha (grief, mental instability, mental dysfunctions, stress, depression etc), Karshya (emaciation, depletion of tissues), Abala (loss of strength, weakness, fatigue, loss of immunity and endurance), Klibata (sterility, impotence, sexual dysfunctions), Ajnanam (loss of intellectual functions, idiocy) and Na Jivitam / Maranam (death of individual, death of functions of different organs and organ systems). The damage of the tissues and organs and organ systems leading to these dysfunctions are due to insomnia or sleep deprivation wherein the above said events are involved. From the modern perspective, they result from dysfunctions of melatonin and pineal gland.
Ayurveda Treatment principles to set-right and balance the circadian rhythm and for pineal gland and melatonin dysfunctions / diseases
Nidana Parivarjana – one should avoid vata or pitta aggravating foods and activities at night time. One should also avoid stress. Nidra Viparyaya shall be avoided. That includes Ratri Jagarana – excessively and habitually keeping awake during night times and Divaswapna – excessively sleeping during day time. One needs to strike a balance between quality, quantity and time of sleep.
Shodhana – Doshic aggravations and long-standing diseases should be addressed with prompt administration of Panchakarma therapies, including seasonal aggravation of doshas. The accumulated doshas and malas would hit hard on the entire system, including the endocrine glands and related hormones and their functions. Once they are flushed out, all these functions will come back to a state of normalcy.
External Therapies – Murdni Taila – oil therapies done on head will balance the doshas in the head, will reduce stress, induce sleep and bestow mental and sensual balance and tranquility. Abhyanga and Sarvanga Dhara too will help. Suitable external therapies along with shodhana measures will help as comprehensive combos in tackling the sleep disorders or to treat pineal gland dysfunctions and melatonin imbalances.
Balance of Trayopastambha – One needs to maintain a synchronized balance between ahara, nidra and brahmacharya.
Yoga and Meditation – One needs to practice Yoga under an expert Yoga teacher who will help in customizing the Yoga practices so as to combat sleep disorders and regulate hormonal dysrhythms. Meditation will definitely help when practiced regularly.
Sattvavajaya – Regular one-to-one talk sessions and counselling and psychotherapies will definitely add to the beneficial results.
Daiva Vyapashraya Chikitsa – Divine therapies or non-medicinal belief therapies too shall be brought into practice as and when needed.
Medhya Rasayanas – The medicines and herbs which act as Medhya Rasayanas should be taken as prescribed by Ayurveda doctors.
