Cognition
The Adolescent Brain
For some teens, it is helpful to understand how the brain functions. Did you know that the human brain does not fully develop until around 25 years old? This means that while teens are being asked to juggle academics, extra-curriculars, and the social pressures of being a teenager, your brains are not fully developed.
While the pleasure-seeking portions of the teen brain are well-developed, the prefrontal cortex is the last part of your brain to mature. The prefrontal cortex is the part of your brain that is responsible for impulse control, managing emotional reactions, planning, and decision-making. This combination of factors may explain why teens are more likely to make risky decisions without considering the long-term consequences– the “go” part of your brain is in full motion and the “stop” part of your brain has not yet been fully turned on.
To learn more about the adolescent brain check out this video produced by UNICEF.
All rights reserved to UNICEF
Previous Article
You Are Not Alone
More than 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. You are not alone.
Next Article
Causes of Psychiatric Disorders
Many factors such as biology, genetics, and environment contribute to the development of mental illness.
Suggested Articles

Cognition
What is mental health?
The term mental health gets thrown around a lot these days. Well, what does it actually mean?

Understand
You are not alone
More than 50% of people will be diagnosed with a mental illness at some point in their lifetime. You are not alone.

Main Causes
Causes of Psychiatric Disorders
Many factors such as biology, genetics, and environment contribute to the development of mental illness.