The Relief of the Buddha (from the series: Ars Longa Vita Brevis)
It’s not unusual for representations of the Buddha to include some depiction of the third (or inner) eye. In vedic literature it is the location of the highest chakra and commonly thought of as the seat of the soul. Physiologically the third eye is usually equated with the pineal gland, the small endocrine gland at the center of the brain that produces melatonin from serotonin found in the hypothalamus.
Melatonin modulates wake and sleep to some degree and taking it can help combat jet lag- at least it works for me. I have no idea whether it provides a fast motorbike ride to nirvana, and if it is such a fuel, I’ve no idea how to kick-start the bike. Nevertheless the Buddha is usually depicted as obtaining perfection while seated beneath the Bo tree and the fruit of the Bo tree, ficus religiosus, is said to contain melatonin.
