The Neuroscience of Teen Addiction: What the Brain Reveals
A Simple Guide to Understanding the Adolescent Brain
The Bottom Line -
The reward-seeking, pleasure center of an adolescent brain develops quicker than the reasoning, judgment, and decision-making center of their brain.
Thus, teens are naturally programmed to act before they think, pursue thrill-seeking behaviors, and take risks before thinking through the consequences.
Want to understand the Science behind this?
Teen addiction is an issue that not only impacts the individual but also their families and communities. With a growing body of research, we now understand more about the science of the adolescent brain and how it influences addiction.
As a child enters their teenage years, the brain remains in a crucial development phase, rendering it especially vulnerable to addictive behaviors. By examining the neurological and psychological factors involved, we can better comprehend why teens are at risk for addiction and how to effectively support them in overcoming the temptation in front of them. This article intends to simplify the intricate science behind teen addiction and make it more understandable.
The brain is a highly complex part of our body that uses signals to control everything from breathing to digestion. These signals also help us react to what we see, hear, or experience, and they are important for how we think, feel, and make choices. The brain has many areas that work together to control both simple and complicated tasks.
The cerebrum is the biggest part and is in charge of thinking, memory, and the movements we do on purpose. The cerebellum helps us with coordination and balance, while the brainstem controls necessary functions like breathing and heart rate. The limbic system (part of the cerebrum) is connected to our emotions and memory, with parts like the amygdala and hippocampus playing important roles. Finally, the thalamus acts like a relay station, sending sensory and motor signals to the right parts of the brain for processing. The brain also has about 86 billion nerve cells, called neurons. They send messages to each other using chemicals called neurotransmitters.All these parts work together so we can think, feel, move, and stay alive.
The primary areas of the brain involved in addiction
For the purpose of brevity, this blog focuses on two of the important areas that are closely linked to drug use problems: the Limbic System (specifically, the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala) and the Prefrontal Cortex (part of the Cerebral Cortex).
The Limbic System
The limbic system, also known as the reward pathway, includes the amygdala (managing emotions, stress, uncomfortable feelings), the basal ganglia (plays an important role in learning new things and establishing habits,) the nucleus accumbens (reward processing), the hippocampus (plays a role in memory), the hypothalamus (hormones in stress), thalamus (information relay), dopamine (pleasure signals), glutamate and serotonin (neurotransmitters.) Its primary function is aiding our survival by providing pleasure, arousal, and regulating hormones and circadian rhythms. It helps us recognize and remember positive experiences, facilitating instincts for reproduction, child care, curiosity, learning, and thrill-seeking behaviors. The limbic system also regulates emotions, behaviors, and motivations, influencing long-term memory.
The Amygdala
The amygdala (an important part of the limbic system) regulates our emotional responses to stimuli and the brain's reactions to stress, including behavioral responses like “fight or flight” and negative emotions such as unease, anxiety, irritability, and fear. This region also interacts with the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that controls the activity of multiple hormone-producing glands, including the pituitary gland at the base of the brain and the adrenal glands atop each kidney. The adrenal glands play a critical role by producing hormones ( cortisol, adrenaline, aldosterone, androgens, etc.) necessary for regulating key functions such as metabolism, blood pressure, stress response, and sexual development, which are essential for overall health and survival.
The Basal Ganglia
The Basal Ganglia are brain structures involved in movement, coordination, and cognitive functions. They regulate voluntary motor control, learning, habits, decision-making, reward processing, and dopamine dysregulation.
Prefrontal Cortex
The prefrontal cortex is the last area of the brain to develop and is not fully formed until the mid-20s.
It is situated at the front of the frontal lobe and is responsible for higher-level cognitive functions. It plays a crucial role in decision-making, planning, organizing our thoughts, problem-solving, impulse control, and managing social behavior. It aids in regulating emotions and enables you to consider the consequences of your actions prior to making choices. Essentially, the prefrontal cortex helps you plan ahead and control behaviors that may be impulsive or detrimental.
“It doesn’t matter how smart teens are or how well they scored on the SAT or ACT. Good judgment isn’t something they can excel in, at least not yet.
The rational part of a teen’s brain (prefrontal cortex) isn’t fully developed and won’t be until age 25 or so.”
Adolescent brain growth and development continues to the mid 20’s.
The issue arises here. Research indicates that adult and adolescent brains function differently. Adults utilize the prefrontal cortex, which handles rational thinking, while teens rely on the amygdala, the center for emotions, for making decisions. In adolescents, the connections between the emotional region of the brain and the decision-making area are still maturing. Therefore, when teens experience intense emotions, they often struggle to articulate their feelings during the event or understand their thought processes afterward. During moments of choice or the chance to engage in a behavior, they are more influenced by their feelings than by rational thinking.
Neural Pruning
Another important factor to consider when addressing the brain development of teenagers is that after a period of intense neuron growth from ages 6 to 10, the brain begins to undergo a stage of neural pruning. This process means the brain gets rid of connections it doesn't need, making it work more efficiently.
Some believe there is a link between this loss of unused neural connections and teens’ need for excitement and complaints of boredom, and this may influence why teenagers take risks.
To tie this altogether
The limbic system, which plays a crucial role in our brain's reward mechanisms, has already matured by adolescence. This part of the brain is involved in experiencing pleasure and helping us to form emotional responses to various stimuli. In contrast, the frontal lobe, responsible for higher-level functions such as decision-making, planning, and self-regulation, continues to develop during the teenage years.
This ongoing development can create a significant difference between the emotional and rational systems of the brain. As a result, adolescents may exhibit more impulsive behaviors, become more sensitive to external stimuli, and show a greater inclination towards taking risks. This combination of a mature reward system alongside an underdeveloped decision-making area can lead to challenges in self-control and judgment during this critical developmental stage in their lives.
Historically, adolescent boys were more likely to drink and binge drink than girls. Now, that relationship has reversed, more girls than boys report alcohol use and binge drinking.
Teenagers, Alcohol, Drugs, and Addiction
Alcohol use often begins during adolescence and becomes more common as adolescents grow older. In 2023, about one in 100 adolescents aged 12 to 13 reported consuming alcohol in the past month, and approximately one in 200 participated in binge drinking.
Among respondents aged 16 to 17, one in five reported drinking in the past month, while one in 10 indicated binge drinking. Implementing prevention strategies during early adolescence is essential to curtail this escalation, particularly since early alcohol use is linked to an increased likelihood of various alcohol-related consequences, most notably future dependency on alcohol or other substances.
“People who begin drinking at earlier ages are at an increased risk of lifetime alcohol dependence. Specifically, people who drinking before age 15 are four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol use disorder at some point in their lives”
Parents’ and teenagers’ views on drugs and alcohol have changed significantly over the years. This change is influenced by teachers, friends, laws, what we see in the media, and how easy it is to get these substances. Different factors can either increase or decrease the chances of a teen using drugs and what happens afterward. Thanks to better research methods, we now understand that early substance use is linked to a range of negative outcomes, including academic struggles, relationship issues, and increased risk of addiction later in life. Understanding these connections highlights the importance of preventive measures and open communication between parents and teens about the risks associated with drug and alcohol use. As perspectives shift, it is crucial for parents, educators, and community leaders to engage in meaningful dialogues that promote healthy choices and support for young people navigating these challenges.
What Can Parents Do?
Educate yourself
Be compassionate to your child as they experience the social, physical, and emotional health challenges of adolescence by offering support, understanding, and a safe space for them to express their feelings, helping them navigate difficult emotions with empathy and care.
Build open channels of communication (this begins long before adolescence)
Serve as a positive role model
Talk about the dangers of drinking
Do not make alcohol easily available
Get to know your children’s friends
Have regular conversations with your kids, especially about topics that interest them.
Connect with other parents about sending clear messages about the importance of youth not drinking alcohol
Supervise activities to make sure there is no alcohol available
Encourage kids to participate in healthy and fun activities that do not involve alcohol, which may appease the excitement and adrenaline-seeking drive of the teen brain.
for example, hiking, rock climbing (in a gym,) academic competitions, participation in music, art, or theatre, learning a new skill or hobby, taking a ropes course, etc
Ensure teens get sufficient nutrition, rest, and sleep
Remember that teens are resilient
Take an interest in their activities
Summary
The teen brain is ready to learn and adapt, but its higher cognitive functions, like reasoning, impulse control, emotional regulation, and decision-making centers, are not fully developed. It takes time for adolescents to learn to slow down, think before they act, and learn how to regulate the onset of new hormones, emotions, experiences, and opportunities they have during their teenage years. Here are some key takeaways for this blog post
Adolescent brain development is crucial for supporting healthy social, emotional, spiritual, and intellectual development at present and for the future.
Yes, adolescents do think differently from adults. They do not naturally have problem-solving or good decision-making skills.
Do not be alarmed when they show interest in adrenaline-seeking activities.
The teen brain has an amazing ability to adapt and respond to new experiences and situations. Taking challenging classes, engaging in new sports or hobbies, or creative activities like art or music can strengthen brain circuits and help the brain mature.
Offer activities that fulfill their need for this learning and excitement. We want them to take some risks, try new things, but in moderation.
Keep in mind that your children's peers play a significant role in shaping them, and this influence is a normal and healthy part of their social development. Do not be threatened by their growing independence and detachment from you.
Remember, the goal is to build connection with your teens, not to try to control them.
Lastly, the ongoing changes in the brain, coupled with physical, emotional, and social transformations, can increase the likelihood of teens experiencing mental health issues. The simultaneous occurrence of these changes may explain why various mental illnesses, including anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia, arise during adolescence. In conclusion, understanding the complex interplay of brain development and the challenges of adolescence is crucial in addressing and supporting teen mental health during this critical stage of life.
I hope you find this information helpful. However, I must also mention that the advice given is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any condition. I always recommend that you consult with a licensed professional in their field of expertise.
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Take aways
Supported scientific evidence shows that these changes in the brain persist long after substance use stops. It is not yet known how much these changes may be reversed or how long that process may take.
Well-supported scientific evidence shows that adolescence is a critical “at-risk period” for substance use and addiction. All addictive drugs, including alcohol and marijuana, have especially harmful effects on the adolescent brain, which is still undergoing significant development.
Resources
Facing Addiction in America: The Surgeon General's Report on Alcohol, Drugs, and Health [Internet]. Chapter Two
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK424849/#:~:text=Well%2Dsupported%20scientific%20evidence%20shows%20that%20disruptions%20in%20three%20areas,amygdala%2C%20and%20the%20prefrontal%20cortex.
Understanding the Teen Brain
https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/Encyclopedia/content?ContentTypeID=1&ContentID=3051
The Teen Brain: 7 Things to Know
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/the-teen-brain-7-things-to-know
The Science of Adolescent Risk-Taking: Workshop Report.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK53414/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20researchers%20think%20that%20an%20overproduction,which%20is%20then%20followed%20by%20gradual%20pruning.&text=The%20combination%20of%20exaggerated%20sensitivity%20to%20the,cognitive%20control%20all%20contribute%20to%20adolescent%20risk%2Dtaking.
Teens and Alcohol
https://www.mottchildren.org/posts/your-child/teens-alcohol#:~:text=People%20who%20begin%20drinking%20at,other%20mental%20and%20physical%20disorders.