The Teenage Brain: A WORK IN PROGRESS

In 2012, Sarah Jayne Blakemore, a professor of cognitive neuroscience at the University of London, spoke at the TEDGlobal conference on “the mysterious workings of the adolescent brain.” In her talk, she compared the prefrontal cortex in teens with that of adults to show how typical teenage behavior is affected by the growing and developing the brain. Recently, Blakemore took the discussion further by suggesting teens themselves should learn about the science behind how their brains develop. “I think that understanding the teen brain should be part of the education curriculum for teenagers. hey should learn about their own brains and how they’re changing because I think it’s empowering for young people to know and understand more about why they might be feeling a certain way,” she said in an interview with NPR. “hey should understand why they might be particularly self-conscious or susceptible to peer influence, or more likely to take risks.” Blakemore — whose latest book “Inventing Ourselves: the Secret Life of the Teenage Brain” delves into the science of brain development in adolescence and how it translates into teenage behavior — went on to say the teen years are a very important time in terms of vulnerability to mental illnesses. “We know that most mental illnesses first appear during adolescence, at some point before the age of 24. It’s important for teens to understand the biological reasons and the social reasons why that might be, in terms of trying to cope with different feelings and possibly mental health problems.” there's no question that with knowledge comes power, which is why psychologist and author Karen Young shares some insight on the teenage brain and how teens themselves can help strengthen and foster healthy brain development:

Even though your brain is changing, you have the ability to control those changes.
Your brain won’t be fully developed until your mid-20s. Take advantage of this time by strengthening those neurons by learning about and
experiencing the world around you. Whether you play sports, perform music or theater, create works of art, or learn a new language, your neurons will ire up, strengthening your brain.

• Your brain is like a sports car… but without the brakes.

Because your prefrontal cortex — the sensible, logical part of the brain — isn’t fully developed, the way you make decisions and solve problems can oftentimes be impulsive and reactionary. When making decisions, look before you leap. Your brain may be telling you one thing, but your gut may be telling you something else. Like any good driver, stop, look both ways, and proceed with caution.

• Weigh good risks vs. bad risks. To the teenage brain, they can look the same.

In a nutshell, just because something feels like it’s a good idea, doesn’t mean it always is. Teens often overestimate the positives of a situation and underestimate the negatives. In any given situation in which you have to make a decision, consider the good and the bad. And for added measure, talk to adults — parents, older siblings, teacher, counselor — who can provide some insight into the situation.

Get some shut-eye. It does wonders.
Because your brain is growing so quickly, it needs sleep. Lots of it. During sleep, your brain gets stronger by getting rid of neurons it doesn’t need and pumping up the ones it does. Some good sleep advice is to start winding down around 9 p.m. Put your devices away and try reading or listening to music to calm your brain and prepare for sleep. Lack of sleep can increase the likelihood of making bad decisions, and decrease creativity and problem-solving.

• You care (and worry) about what people are thinking about you.

During adolescence, your brain pays close attention to cues from other people, what they’re thinking about you, how they feel about you, etc. Since teens often misread those cues and your feelings may be hurt, you go into a limbic mode and react emotionally and impulsively. Just know that everyone your age is feeling and thinking the same thing. Help each other out by being more open-minded and give people the benefit of the doubt that they’re not judging you.

• Addiction. It’s a thing.

When dopamine is released, your pleasure centers light up, so much so that it makes you want to have the same feeling over and over again. And while there are natural, healthy ways to get dopamine, there are also unhealthy ways to get that same feeling. he teen brain is vulnerable to dopamine, which is why you’ll need to work harder to control the impulse to engage in risky and habit-forming things, like drugs or alcohol. Instead, try eating right and exercising, which have been shown to release dopamine naturally.
“All new skills take time to master. It’s no different for our teens,” Young says. “they have it in them to be extraordinary. the more information they have, the more potential they have to find the most direct way there.”