1436 Teenage Brains

Read an interesting science article about how teenage brains are different. And not just because they like video games, text gossip and sleepovers.
Seems we all carry two programs in our brain through our life. One function allows us to consider the relative benefits of risk and reward. That process grows steadily from infancy to adulthood ‘til it plateaus at about age 25.
The other function is an awareness of the value of reward, and the experience of it as well. That function changes with time too, but in the teenage years it takes a big spike, briefly outpacing the risk/reward management system.
If the value of the reward seems greater, you are likely to ignore larger risks to achieve it. They know staying out ‘til 3am and worrying their parents sick will get them restriction, but they love being with their friends.
And witness the intensity of your average adolescent when it comes to relatively mundane things. I’m rushing the stage about to get crushed because I really really really like Justin Bieber-slash-David Cassidy-slash-Bobby Darin-slash-Slash.
Okay, Slash really is good.
I was a little worried when I read about the research though, because it was conducted using the fMRI machine—Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It detected pleasure and reward appreciation in the brains of various, as the scientist put it, “volunteers” ranging from ages 6 to 60.
Really? How does one volunteer for a radio wave magnetic ray device when one is 6 years old? Risk/reward indeed.
Go researchers...
The evolutionary reason for all this? Young adults ignoring risk appears to cut across species. That’s the time most adolescents are kicked out of the nest or pack and need to overcome things low risk takers would find daunting.
Like what a dumb idea having babies who turn into teenagers is.
America, ya gotta love it.