Episode 001- The Teenage Brain
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: 

  1. 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
  1. 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
  1. 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

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