The teenage brain : a neuroscientist's survival guide to raising adolescents and young adults

Drawing on her research knowledge and clinical experience, internationally respected neurologist—and mother of two boys—Frances E. Jensen, M.D., offers a revolutionary look at the science of the adolescent brain, providing remarkable insights that translate into practical advice for both parents and teenagers. Driven by the assumption that brain growth was pretty much complete by the time a child began kindergarten, scientists believed for years that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one—only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, the scientific community has learned that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Motivated by her personal experience of parenting two teenage boys, renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen gathers what we’ve discovered about adolescent brain functioning, wiring, and capacity and, in this groundbreaking, accessible book, explains how these eye-opening findings not only dispel commonly held myths about the teenage years, but also yield practical suggestions that will help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent neurobiology. Interweaving clear summary and analysis of research data with anecdotes drawn from her years as a parent, clinician, and public speaker, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brain functioning and development in the contexts of learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making. Rigorous yet accessible, warm yet direct, __The Teenage Brain__ sheds new light on the brains—and behaviors—of adolescents and young adults, and analyzes this knowledge to share specific ways in which parents, educators, and even the legal system can help them navigate their way more smoothly into adulthood.

A New York Times Bestseller

Renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen offers a revolutionary look at the brains of teenagers, dispelling myths and offering practical advice for teens, parents and teachers.

Dr. Frances E. Jensen is chair of the department of neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. As a mother, teacher, researcher, clinician, and frequent lecturer to parents and teens, she is in a unique position to explain to readers the workings of the teen brain. In The Teenage Brain, Dr. Jensen brings to readers the astonishing findings that previously remained buried in academic journals.

The root myth scientists believed for years was that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one, only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, the scientific community has learned that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Samples of some of the most recent findings include:

• Teens are better learners than adults because their brain cells more readily "build" memories. But this heightened adaptability can be hijacked by addiction, and the adolescent brain can become addicted more strongly and for a longer duration than the adult brain.
• Studies show that girls' brains are a full two years more mature than boys' brains in the mid-teens, possibly explaining differences seen in the classroom and in social behavior.
• Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we thought. Recent experimental and human studies show that the occasional use of marijuana, for instance, can cause lingering memory problems even days after smoking, and that long-term use of pot impacts later adulthood IQ.
• Multi-tasking causes divided attention and has been shown to reduce learning ability in the teenage brain. Multi-tasking also has some addictive qualities, which may result in habitual short attention in teenagers.
• Emotionally stressful situations may impact the adolescent more than it would affect the adult: stress can have permanent effects on mental health and can to lead to higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression.

Dr. Jensen gathers what we've discovered about adolescent brain function, wiring, and capacity and explains the science in the contexts of everyday learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making. In this groundbreaking yet accessible book, these findings also yield practical suggestions that will help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent development.

A New York Times Bestseller Renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen offers a revolutionary look at the brains of teenagers, dispelling myths and offering practical advice for teens, parents and teachers. Dr. Frances E. Jensen is chair of the department of neurology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. As a mother, teacher, researcher, clinician, and frequent lecturer to parents and teens, she is in a unique position to explain to readers the workings of the teen brain. In The Teenage Brain, Dr. Jensen brings to readers the astonishing findings that previously remained buried in academic journals. The root myth scientists believed for years was that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one, only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, the scientific community has learned that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Samples of some of the most recent findings include: Teens are better learners than adults because their brain cells more readily "build" memories. But this heightened adaptability can be hijacked by addiction, and the adolescent brain can become addicted more strongly and for a longer duration than the adult brain. Studies show that girls' brains are a full two years more mature than boys' brains in the mid-teens, possibly explaining differences seen in the classroom and in social behavior. Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we thought. Recent experimental and human studies show that the occasional use of marijuana, for instance, can cause lingering memory problems even days after smoking, and that long-term use of pot impacts later adulthood IQ. Multi-tasking causes divided attention and has been shown to reduce learning ability in the teenage brain. Multi-tasking also has some addictive qualities, which may result in habitual short attention in teenagers. Emotionally stressful situations may impact the adolescent more than it would affect the adult: stress can have permanent effects on mental health and can to lead to higher risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. Dr. Jensen gathers what we've discovered about adolescent brain function, wiring, and capacity and explains the science in the contexts of everyday learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making. In this groundbreaking yet accessible book, these findings also yield practical suggestions that will help adults and teenagers negotiate the mysterious world of adolescent development. An Internationally Respected Neurologist Offers A Revolutionary Look At The Brains Of Adolescents, Providing Surprising Insights--including Why Smart Kids Often Do Stupid Things--and Practical Advice For Adults And Teens.in This Groundbreaking, Accessible Book, Dr. Frances E. Jensen, A Mother, Teacher, Researcher, And Internationally Known Expert In Neurology, Introduces Us To The Mystery And Magic Of The Teen Brain. One Of The First Books To Focus Exclusively On The Neurological Development Of Adolescents, The Teenage Brain Presents New Findings, Dispels Widespread Myths, And Provides Practical Suggestions For Negotiating This Difficult And Dynamic Life Stage For Both Adults And Adolescents.interweaving Easy-to-follow Scientific Data With Anecdotes Drawn From Her Experiences As A Parent, Clinician, And Public Speaker, Dr. Jensen Explores Adolescent Brain Functioning And Development, Including Learning And Memory, And Investigates The Impact Of Influences Such As Drugs, Multitasking, Sleep, And Stress. The Teenage Brain Reveals How: Adolescents May Not Be As Resilient To The Effects Of Drugs As We Previously Thought. Occasional Use Of Marijuana Has Been Shown To Cause Lingering Memory Problems, And Long-term Use Can Affect Later Adulthood I.q. Multi-tasking Causes Divided Attention And Can Reduce Learning Ability. Emotionally Stressful Situations In Adolescence Can Have Permanent Effects On Mental Health, And May Lead To Higher Risk For Certain Neuropsychiatric Disorders Such As Depression. Rigorous Yet Accessible, Warm Yet Direct, The Teenage Brain Sheds New Light On Young Adults, And Provides Practical Suggestions For How Parents, Schools, And Even The Legal System Can Better Help Them During This Crucial Period-- Renowned Neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen Offers A Revolutionary Look At The Brains Of Teenagers, Dispelling Myths And Offering Practical Advice For Teens, Parents, And Teachers-- Being Teen -- Entering The Teen Years -- Building A Brain -- Under The Microscope -- Learning: A Job For The Teen Brain -- Sleep -- Taking Risks -- Tobacco -- Alcohol -- Pot -- Hard-core Drugs -- Stress -- Mental Illness -- The Digital Invasion Of The Teenage Brain -- Gender Matters -- Sports And Concussions -- Crime And Punishment -- Beyond Adolescence: It's Not Over Yet -- Final Thoughts. Frances E. Jensen, Md ; With Amy Ellis Nutt. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 319-342) And Index. Drawing on her research, knowledge, and clinical experience, internationally respected neurologist and mother of two boys Frances E. Jensen, MD, offers a revolutionary look at the adolescent brain, providing remarkable insights that translate into practical advice both for parents and teenagers. Driven by the assumption that brain growth was almost complete by the time a child reached puberty, scientists believed for many years that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one -- only with fewer miles on it. Over the last decade, however, neurology and neuroscience have revealed that the teen years encompass vitally important stages of brain development. Motivated by her experience of parenting two teenagers, renowned neurologist Frances E. Jensen, MD, gathers what we've discovered about adolescent brain functioning and wiring, and in this groundbreaking, accessible book, explains how these eye-opening findings not only dispel commonly held myths about teens but also yield practical suggestions for adults and teenagers negotiating the mysterious and magical world of adolescent biology. Interweaving clear summary and analysis of research data with anecdotes drawn from her years as a clinician, researcher, and public speaker, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brain functioning and development in the context of learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction, and decision making. Examining data connecting substance use to lingering memory issues and, sometimes, a lower adult IQ, The Teenage Brain explains why teenagers are not as resilient to the effects of drugs as we previously thought; reveals how multitasking impacts learning ability and concentration; and examines the consequences of stress on mental health during and beyond adolescence. Rigorous yet accessible, warm yet direct, The Teenage Brain sheds new light on the brains and behaviors of adolescents and young adults, and analyzes this knowledge to share specific ways in which parents, educators, and even the legal system can help them navigate their way more smoothly into adulthood in our ever challenging world. - Jacket flap. "An internationally respected neurologist offers a revolutionary look at the brains of adolescents, providing surprising insights 'including why smart kids often do stupid things' and practical advice for adults and teens. In this groundbreaking, accessible book, Dr. Frances E. Jensen, a mother, teacher, researcher, and internationally known expert in neurology, introduces us to the mystery and magic of the teen brain. One of the first books to focus exclusively on the neurological development of adolescents, The Teenage Brain presents new findings, dispels widespread myths, and provides practical suggestions for negotiating this difficult and dynamic life stage for both adults and adolescents. Interweaving easy-to-follow scientific data with anecdotes drawn from her experiences as a parent, clinician, and public speaker, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brain functioning and development, including learning and memory, and investigates the impact of influences such as drugs, multitasking, sleep, and stress. The Teenage Brain reveals how: - Adolescents may not be as resilient to the effects of drugs as we previously thought. Occasional use of marijuana has been shown to cause lingering memory problems, and long-term use can affect later adulthood I.Q. - Multi-tasking causes divided attention and can reduce learning ability. - Emotionally stressful situations in adolescence can have permanent effects on mental health, and may lead to higher risk for certain neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression. Rigorous yet accessible, warm yet direct, The Teenage Brain sheds new light on young adults, and provides practical suggestions for how parents, schools, and even the legal system can better help them during this crucial period."-- Provided by publisher Introduction : Being teen Entering the teen years Building a brain Under the microscope Learning : a job for the teen brain Sleep Taking risks Tobacco Alcohol Pot Hard-core drugs Stress Mental illness The digital invasion of the teenage brain Gender matters Sports and concussions Crime and punishment Beyond adolescence : it's not over yet Postscript : Final thoughts About the authors