The Teenage Brain

Renowned neurologist Dr. Frances E. Jensen offers a revolutionary look at the brains of teenagers, dispelling myths and “offer[ing] support and a way for parents to understand and relate to their own soon-to-be-adult offspring” (Publishers Weekly). Drawing on her research knowledge and clinical experience, this internationally respected neurologist—and mother of two boys—offers a revolutionary look at the adolescent brain, providing remarkable insights that translate into practical advice for both parents and teenagers. Driven by the assumption that brain growth was almost complete by the time a child began kindergarten, scientists believed for many years that the adolescent brain was essentially an adult one—only with fewer miles on it. Over the past decade, however, neurology and neuropsychology research has shown that the teen years encompass vitally important physiological and neurological stages of brain development. Motivated by her experience of parenting two teenage boys, Dr. 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 and magical world of adolescence. With insights drawn from her years as a parent, clinician and researcher, Dr. Jensen explores adolescent brains at work in learning and multitasking, stress and memory, sleep, addiction and decision-making. 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 emotionally stressful situations on mental health during and beyond adolescence. Rigorous yet accessible, warm yet direct, The Teenage Brain sheds 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.