Lucchetti Giancarlo, Daher Jorge C, Iandoli Decio, Gonçalves Juliane P B, Lucchetti Alessandra L G
Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil, Brazil.
Anapolis University Center and Brazilian Medical Spiritist Association, Brazil.
Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2013;34(8):745-55.
Significance has been attached to the pineal gland in numerous different cultures and beliefs. One religion that has advanced the role of the pineal gland is Spiritism. The objective of the present study was to compile information on the pineal gland drawing on the books of Francisco Cândido Xavier written through psychography and to carry out a critical analysis of their scientific bases by comparing against evidence in the current scientific literature. A systematic search using the terms "pineal gland" and "epiphysis" was conducted of 12 works allegedly dictated by the spirit "André Luiz". All information on the pineal having potential correlation with the field of medicine and current studies was included. Specialists in the area were recruited to compile the information and draw parallels with the scientific literature. The themes related to the pineal gland were: mental health, reproductive function, endocrinology, relationship with physical activity, spiritual connection, criticism of the theory that the organ exerts no function, and description of a hormone secreted by the gland (reference alluding to melatonin, isolated 13 years later). The historical background for each theme was outlined, together with the theories present in the Spiritist books and in the relevant scientific literature. The present article provides an analysis of the knowledge the scientific community can acquire from the history of humanity and from science itself. The process of formulating hypotheses and scientific theories can benefit by drawing on the cultural aspects of civilization, taking into account so-called non-traditional reports and theories.
在众多不同的文化和信仰中，松果体都被赋予了重要意义。唯灵论是一种提升了松果体作用的宗教。本研究的目的是收集弗朗西斯科·坎迪多·泽维尔通过通灵术撰写的书籍中关于松果体的信息，并通过与当前科学文献中的证据进行比较，对其科学依据进行批判性分析。使用“松果体”和“松果体”这两个术语，对据称由灵魂“安德烈·路易斯”口述的12部作品进行了系统检索。所有与医学领域和当前研究有潜在关联的松果体信息都被纳入其中。该领域的专家被招募来收集信息，并与科学文献进行对比。与松果体相关的主题包括：心理健康、生殖功能、内分泌学、与体育活动的关系、精神联系、对该器官无功能理论的批判，以及对该腺体分泌的一种激素的描述（参考文献暗示了褪黑素，13年后才被分离出来）。概述了每个主题的历史背景，以及唯灵论书籍和相关科学文献中存在的理论。本文对科学界可以从人类历史和科学本身中获得的知识进行了分析。通过借鉴文明的文化层面，考虑所谓的非传统报告和理论，提出假设和科学理论的过程可以从中受益。
