Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 519 - 409: Pineal Gland Mutation_2

Modern scientific research has discovered that the pineal gland can secrete melatonin, inhibit the secretion of pituitary follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone, and secrete a variety of peptide hormones with strong anti-gonadotropic effects, thereby effectively suppressing the activity of gonads and the appearance of sexual characteristics.

In many places, there are whole-brain training classes wrapped in high-tech cloaks like quantum fluctuation speed. Some training providers claim that not only can you "read ten lines at a glance," but also develop the pineal gland—"Once the pineal gland is opened, the third eye opens too, allowing you to see book contents with your eyes closed."

However, when students feel like they’ve "learned nothing," these training providers usually say, "The students are too old; if children were sent here early, their third eye would have been opened long ago."

Although these training institutions are deceitful, historically speaking, there have indeed been developments related to the pineal gland, an undeniable fact.

"Director Zhao, are you talking about metaphysics?"

Wang Lei asked with a frown.

He never expected his daughter’s illness to be tied to so-called "metaphysics."

To be honest, he’s reached this point purely through his own effort; fate had nothing to do with it.

Of course, the truth was that his effort accounted for 10%, while his family background and support from his ex-wife’s family covered the remaining 90%.

"It’s not metaphysics. I read a paper where a research team led by the University of Michigan Medical School first found that dimethyltryptamine is present in mammals’ brains, and it is naturally produced. Therefore, in certain special human cases, if the pineal gland is particularly developed, it will autonomously secrete dimethyltryptamine."

Zhao Heng explained.

"Dimethyltryptamine? What is this?"

Upon suddenly hearing what sounded like a chemical term, Wang Lei was somewhat surprised, although hearing this chemical name made him feel somewhat relieved. At least it was related to science; if it were metaphysics, he would truly begin to doubt the young doctor’s professional competence.

"Dimethyltryptamine is a natural compound found in many plant and animal tissues and has strong hallucinogenic effects. Research has found that environmental stress increases dimethyltryptamine levels in the central nervous system of mammals. Dimethyltryptamine can bind to serotonin receptors involved in intracellular signaling in multiple regions of the central nervous system and exert agonist activity; it can also bind non-specifically to non-serotonin receptors distributed in the frontal lobe, striatum, etc."

Zhao Heng professionally explained.

"Moreover, the natural compound dimethyltryptamine can activate and regulate the proliferation and migration of neural stem cells, promote the generation of new neurons, and improve spatial learning and memory abilities."

After a pause, Zhao Heng continued.

"Director Zhao, do you mean that my grandfather developed certain abilities due to the secretion of this substance by the developed pineal gland? And now my child inherits this constitution in a skip-generation manner?"

With this explanation from Zhao Heng, Wang Lei began to understand.

"Yes and no, but a trace detection will clarify that. Dimethyltryptamine is not a rare substance—it is widespread in nature—but self-secretion by the human body is extremely rare."

Zhao Heng added.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Director Zhao."

Wang Lei’s furrowed brow relaxed, and he nodded. This was the first time he felt he had a direction for the cause of the illness while seeking treatment for his child, rather than wandering aimlessly like before, hoping some test might reveal an anomaly.

Before long, Zhao Heng issued an order for testing, and Tian Junjun took the child with Tian Zhen to undergo the tests.

In this moment, Wang Lei was sipping coffee and felt his mood lighten considerably.

At least there was now a direction, a way to identify the cause of the illness.

An hour later, the expedited test results were available.

"It has been confirmed that there are indeed trace amounts of dimethyltryptamine in the child’s body."

Zhao Heng held the freshly issued test report and told Wang Lei and Tian Junjun.

"Director Zhao, we’ve consulted so many doctors before. Why did none of them test for this substance?"

Hearing Zhao Heng’s words, Wang Lei felt much better; at least he knew the cause, not something arcane or mystical.

However, he felt puzzled as to why previously, no doctor considered this angle? 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

"It’s simple: dimethyltryptamine is currently regarded as a new kind of drug, and no one would think to conduct a trace toxicological test on a seven-year-old child."

Zhao Heng succinctly explained.

"Ah? A drug? Then what should we do?"

As soon as Tian Junjun heard the word "drug," he panicked.

"There’s no need to worry. The trace amount of dimethyltryptamine secreted by the human body is completely different from that contained in Dead Vine Water available on the market. The concentration secreted by the human body is only about one hundredth of what is used as a drug, and it won’t cause any substantial damage to the nervous system."

Zhao Heng reassured Tian Junjun.

Regarding drugs, sometimes it’s just a matter of dosage—the understanding of many previously recognized poisons, such as arsenic, red-crowned crane, malachite, when used in trace amounts for humans, can actually play a role in treatment.

And nowadays, the distinction between medicine and poison is merely the different dosages.

"Director Zhao, how do we treat this?"

Tian Junjun urgently asked.

"Dimethyltryptamine and serotonin have similar chemical structures and mechanisms, so medications and methods for reducing serotonin levels can be applied to dimethyltryptamine excess. Based on the levels of dimethyltryptamine in your child’s body, only about one-tenth of the adult treatment dosage is required."

Zhao Heng thought for a moment and said that lowering serotonin is a common and uncomplicated clinical method.

The most challenging part is identifying the cause.

Serotonin, which is essentially the neurotransmitter 5-hydroxytryptamine, is a messenger that induces pleasant emotions and affects almost every aspect of brain activities, from regulating mood, energy, and memory to shaping life perspectives.

Dimethyltryptamine, similar to 5-hydroxytryptamine, has deeper effects. In places where primitive tribes exist, they concentrate on drinking Dead Vine Water, which contains a large amount of dimethyltryptamine, to communicate with "gods" or "ancestors."

Simply put, it’s the strong hallucinogenic effect that allows drinkers of Dead Vine Water to see whatever they want.

For this little girl, her previous reading of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland naturally skewed her hallucinations in this direction.

"Don’t worry. For symptoms caused by trace neurotransmitters, treatment is very quick—noticeable effects will be seen the day after medication."

Zhao Heng further added.

"Thank you, Director Zhao, thank you."

Tian Junjun said with some emotion, considering this a lifesaver. If anything happened to this child, she wouldn’t know how to live her life afterward.

As one of the earliest celebrity figures to marry into a wealthy family, her means to maintain favor initially depended on herself, and later, on her child.

She could see Wang Lei’s affection for this child, which is why she was so anxious.

"Thank you."

Wang Lei also looked at Zhao Heng with a tinge of gratitude.

Though a person of his stature naturally wouldn’t express much thanks, he certainly held gratitude towards Zhao Heng in his heart.

"Actually, although the child’s condition is quite rare, modern medical techniques can definitely address it, once the cause is identified."

Zhao Heng nodded modestly, not taking undue credit.

Clinically, many complex conditions are essentially a matter of mindset and perspective; sometimes the human body is mysterious and complex, and sometimes you can’t think of it even if you rack your brains.

Hence, only someone like Zhao Heng, who is proficient across multiple disciplines and possesses the broadest perspective, amalgamating modern medical innovations, could quickly pinpoint the cause.

"Although this is true, if we hadn’t consulted Director Zhao, who knows when we might have discovered the cause."

Wang Lei calmly remarked.

Seemingly simple matters aren’t necessarily easy; it’s just that for those who know, it isn’t difficult.

Human thought has limitations, and such limitations are challenging to overcome.