Why The Teenage Brain Is Not Broken

Introduction

There is so much that goes into the daily life of a teenage and I believe that teenagers themselves fail to recognize the big role their brain plays in there life. The "teenage brain being broken" myth comes from assuming that is it malfunctioning instead of interpreting the brain as being in progress because it it still under development. The developmental process during adolescence is often overlooked and the brain being "broken" is used to justify behaviors. Most teens may believe that there is something wrong with them instead of taking the time to educate themselves about the brain during adolescence. Most importantly, our brains can be impacted by different factors such as environment changes, experiences, and activities that can all impact structural changes and functions.

What Goes On In Teens Brain

Firstly, while studies show that there are many neural changes, this post will focus on the structures still developing. For example, the lobes of the brain are still maturing with the prefrontal cortex being last. The prefrontal cortex is a vital part and responsible for planning, attention, decision making, etc. The prefrontal cortex is in our frontal lobe which does not develop till around 23-25 years of age. The frontal lobe is seen as the judgement center that enables you to evaluate consequences and think strategically. Also, it prevents individuals from acting upon impulse. However, it is because of this lobe not being fully mature that teens struggle making appropriate decisions. (Jane E. Anderson, 2022) This is why you may make bad decisions but that does not automatically mean that you are malfunctioning.

Furthermore, another structure that is not fully mature is the amygdala, known as the emotion center.

The amygdala is not fully connected to the frontal lobe as in adults. This leads to teens having a harder time interpreting emotions and make decisions based on emotions rather than logic. Additionally the hippocampus, responsible for memory and learning, is heavily affected by alcohol and marijuana. Drinking can have negative effects on the hippocampus, especially because it is maturing. (Jane E. Anderson, 2022)

There are two important aspects that help the development of these areas, pruning of unused neurons and increased myelination. Pruning of unused neurons allows the brain to get rid of neurons that are not being used. This process allows the brain to function faster for known tasks. Secondly, myelination is when myelin sheaths are formed around axons and increases white matter. Increased myelination aids in faster neural communication and improves coordination in areas of the brain. (Jane E. Anderson, 2022)

Why Is This So Important To Acknowledge?

If we all keep assuming that all teens have a brain that is "broken", that is all teens will continue to believe. It will go beyond a simple myth and affect the mental health of individuals. Instead of labeling normal development as a negative thing, we should all begin to provide help to those in their adolescence and help teens understand that what they are experiencing is normal.

Conclusion

In debunking the myth that the teenage brain is broken, one key takeaway becomes clear: the brain is not malfunctioning, it is growing. Important areas, especially the prefrontal cortex, are still developing. Recognizing, growth as a positive thing can help teens better understand themselves and reduce further misinterpretations of normal adolescent behavior.