TED-Ed: How puberty changes your brain | Shannon Odell

The video explores the changes in the brain during puberty, highlighting the role of hormones like estrogen and testosterone. It discusses how these hormones affect emotions, behavior, and brain development, particularly in the limbic system and nucleus accumbens. The video also addresses the adaptability of the adolescent brain and the importance of personal choices during this period. Despite the known effects of puberty, many questions remain about its onset and the influence of experiences.

What triggers the onset of puberty in the brain?

• The adrenal glands

• The hypothalamus

• The pineal gland

• The pituitary gland

Which hormones are primarily responsible for changes in the brain during puberty?

• Insulin and glucagon

• Thyroxine and calcitonin

• Adrenaline and cortisol

• Estrogen and testosterone

How does the amygdala change during puberty?

• It becomes less active

• It decreases in size and connectivity

• It remains unchanged

• It increases in size and connectivity

What is the role of the nucleus accumbens during adolescence?

• Regulating sleep patterns

• Controlling motor skills

• Driving reward and sensation-seeking activities

• Managing stress responses

Why are adolescent brains considered adaptable?

• They are less influenced by hormones

• They are unaffected by external experiences

• They have fully developed cortical regions

• They continue to grow and form new connections