The conversation in this episode covers how a teen brain and an adult brain differ and what the pros and cons are of each way of thinking. The three talking points include:
- The main differences between teen and adult brains.
- Teens use their amygdala and adults use their prefrontal cortex (emotional vs. rational)
- The brain doesn’t fully develop until the mid-20s
- Pros: Emotionally driven leads to passion and enthusiasm.
- Cons: Emotionally driven makes it harder to think through things and make decision based on long-term thinking
- Teens are more prone to risk taking (Look for a reward of trying something dangerous without the ability to register risks)
- Pros: Risk can allow for innovation and success (Facebook)
- Cons: Because there might not take into consideration all of the factors so there is a risk or harm or long-term negative consequences
- A teenage brain is primed to learn
- Pro: Their brain is capable of adaptation and learning – it acts like a sponge.
- Con: Addiction risks are strong because the brain soaks it up
- Because teens feel things more deeply, they are more vulnerable to stress
- Understanding why they are feeling stress so deeply can help ease the worry
- Tool #1: Mindfulness
- Tool #2: Sleep
RESOURCES: