What's going on inside your head?
Brain growth and development
What's going on inside your head?
Brain growth and development
AUTHOR: DR. FRÉDÉRIC BENOIT, PSYCHIATRIST
Did you know that brain development plays a major role in how you manage your emotions 😲 ?
Mood swings, irritability, impulsiveness… people make a lot of assumptions about teens’ behaviour without really understanding what’s going on inside their heads. Let’s take a closer look at the teenage brain to help you understand it better and see how it impacts your everyday life.
What are the main stages of development in adolescence?
Adolescence is divided into different phases, and your priorities and state of mind change throughout. This is partly explained by the fact that our brains aren’t fully developed until around the age of 25.
During high school, friends start to play a more important role in your life🤝.
High school is a time when you might start worrying about your popularity, but you’ll also start to seek out friends with shared experiences and common interests. Friendships are especially important during the teen years, as they help shape your values and play a key role in the development or your identity
This is also a time when teens become more independent: you may start going out on your own more often and have more freedom to choose what you eat, what you do, and when you go to sleep. In Sec. III, IV, and V, many teens start to explore their sexuality, form deep friendships, commit to different causes, and get their first jobs.
As your brain gets better at short-, medium- and long-term planning, you’ll become better equipped to make decisions about the life you want to live, the educational path 👩🎓 that interests you, what you want to do when you grow up, and more. As you develop, you’ll become increasingly capable of assessing the consequences of your actions and trying new things until you reach adulthood👨💼👩💼.
What’s the brain’s role in all these changes?
When we talk about brain development, we’re really talking about the connections made between neurons in each area of the brain as myelin sheaths form around neurons. Myelin acts a bit like a Bluetooth connection between a cell phone and wireless speakers. By the time you’re 25, all of the connections between your neurons will have been made.
Studies on brain chemistry suggest that it’s these major changes in the brain that are responsible for the intense emotions and irritability associated with adolescence.
Likewise, the progressive development of the brain, from the amygdala up to the prefrontal cortex, explains why you might find yourself making impulsive decisions without thinking about the consequences. But it’s not all bad news—it also means that you’re able to put your whole heart into a cause, invest yourself deeply in friendships, and keep an open mind when discovering something new.
As you get older, more and more neuron connections form in your prefrontal cortex, and you get better at anticipating the consequences of your actions, making plans, and judging what is good or bad for you. As a result, you progressively become more independent and more capable of making your own decisions.
The teenage brain explained: Why adolescence is an exciting time for your brain
Adolescence is the stage when your brain is at its peak potential, allowing you to learn very quickly—especially when you enjoy what you’re learning. This means it’s the time when you’re best equipped to push yourself and try new things. It’s also the ideal time to explore new lifestyles, meet new people, test your limits, and develop your independence. Friendships, romantic relationships, and new encounters are likely to inspire you and help you form your opinions and values—perhaps prompting you to advocate for causes that you care about or push for changes in society.
So, what do you need to look out for?
Since your brain is capable of learning very quickly when it gets pleasure from an experience—for instance, playing music or sports—it can also be more vulnerable to drugs during this stage than in adulthood. Alcohol, cigarettes, cannabis, and synthetic drugs all stimulate the brain in the same way learning stimulates it. The brain can also have great difficulty letting go of them, even in adulthood.
Remember that all drugs, even so-called “soft” drugs, have a lasting effect and may prevent your brain from developing fully, especially with regular use.
Between the ages of 14 and 17, the development of your brain makes it difficult for you to manage stress and emotions like an adult. This makes you more vulnerable to mental health problems when faced with difficult situations, such as failing grades, breakups, bullying, etc. This vulnerability is heightened by fluctuating self-esteem and the tendency to only focus the negative when faced with an obstacle. It should come as no surprise that adolescence is a period when mental illness, such as depression, is more common.
If you’re overwhelmed by your emotions and feel like you’re losing control, you can:
MAINTAIN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH 👌
Follow simple everyday tips to maintain your mental health.
Learn moreNeed to talk about how you feel?
Talk to a Tel-Jeunes worker: It’s anonymous, free, and accessible 24/7
Sources
INSTITUT NATIONAL DE SANTÉ PUBLIQUE,
Le développement des enfants et des adolescents dans une perspective de promotion de la santé et de prévention en contexte scolaire, Institut National de santé publique de Québec, 2017
Co-written with Dr. Benoît, psychiatrist, Expertise NeuroSciences