What sex ed doesn’t tell you about your brain - Shannon Odell
Let’s Begin…
While we often talk about puberty’s effect on the body, what gets overlooked are the fascinating changes that happen in the brain. Puberty, in fact, begins in the brain, and lasts as long as five years. And during this extended process, the brain undergoes its own transformation, thanks to estrogen and testosterone. Shannon Odell details what we know— and still don’t know— about puberty.
Additional Resources for you to Explore
Hormones are important messages both within the brain and between the brain and the body. For a deep dive into all the different types of hormones and their functions, check out this link or this TED-Ed video about how your hormones work.
Surprisingly, the teenage brain actually has an evolutionary advantage compared to that of the adult brain. Check it out and let us know what you think.
Watch the video and finish the Think section to complete the lesson.
About The Science of Adolescence
The adolescent brain is spectacular! Between roughly the ages of 10 and 25, key connections are forming within the brain, between ideas, and between people. Understanding how this “connecting brain” works can help us facilitate positive development and make healthier decisions, enabling us to take advantage of the remarkable potential of these formative years.
Meet The Creators
- Video created by TED-Ed
- Lesson Plan created by TED Ed
