Substance Use On The Teen Brain

Adolescence is a critical period in neurodevelopment. Research has indicated that the teen brain on substances will show abnormalities in brain functioning, of which often permanently change neurocognition. The longer a teen brain is on drugs, the more neurocognition is affected.

From early adolescence through the mid 20’s, the brain develops somewhat unevenly and inconsistently. The part of the brain that develops first is the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for controlling physical activity. Then we have the amygdala, responsible for controlling emotions and the nucleus accumbens, responsible for motivation. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for controlling impulse control, thought reasoning and good judgment, develops in the mid, to even late 20’s.

The Dangerous Concoction

The developing teen brain is more vulnerable in comparison to the adult brain to permanent damage because it’s still growing and maturing. When combined with the lack of reasoning, lack of impulse control, new hormones, the desire to explore, and the instantaneous good feelings that substances can provide, teen substance use is a dangerous concoction for their brains.

Myelin Protection

Brain cells are surrounded and protected with a fatty substance called myelin. This myelin acts as an insulator and helps brain messages travel from neuron to neuron, cell to cell. Like electricity flowing through a road map of telephone wires, when undamaged, cells flow freely and the myelin protects the “wires”. Brains cells in an adult brain are well protected with myelin, however in a teen brain there is not enough myelin yet for good protection.

Substances Are Instant

Experiences and emotions feel bigger to teens. It’s like everything is less cushioned and more loud. Happy feels happier, sad feels sadder, etc. compared to an adult brain. Because of this, teens may turn to the immediate help of using substances in order to feel happy, belonging, confident, less anxious, or simply “better”. Teens are drawn to the instantaneous relief that alcohol, nicotine or a drug provides.

Tolerance Is Quicker

Dopamine is the feel-good hormone that so many drugs trigger. Substances will immediately tap into the reward system of the brain that sends the feel-good signals. As time and usage continues, the brain will need more and more of the substance to feel the good feelings it did at the beginning. This tolerance is produced at a quicker pace in a teen brain than an adult brain, resulting in the teen brain needing more and more substances to get the same feeling of which he or she felt at the beginning. This by nature, results in a higher addiction rate when substances are started within the teen years.

Re-calibration Is Slower

Interestingly and sadly, the effects of substances on the brain do not simply stop when the substance has worn off, or when the person stops the substance. The natural self-regulation of dopamine will take weeks or months to regain normalcy. This brain re-calibration time, along with the impulsivity of a teen brain results in a high re-usage rate.

Teens More Likely To Develop Addiction

Because teenagers have an over-active impulse to seek pleasure and less ability to consider the consequences, they are especially vulnerable when it comes to substance usage. Because the internal reward systems are still being developed, a teen’s ability to bounce back to normal after using substances may be compromised due to how substances affect the brain. This is another reason teens are more vulnerable than adults to developing addiction.

The studies and science are recognized as a serious reason to steer your teen or young adult away from substances, or provide early help and treatment.

For guidance and options for your struggling loved one, contact a therapeutic consultant for a complimentary discovery call here.

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