Teenage brains are unique because they are still intensely “under construction,” especially in areas that handle planning, self-control, and emotions, which makes this period highly flexible for learning but also more prone to risk-taking and strong feelings.

Ongoing brain remodeling

During adolescence, the brain is still remodeling its structure, with gray matter being refined (pruned) and connections between neurons becoming more efficient, especially from the back of the brain toward the front. The prefrontal cortex, which supports judgment, planning, and thinking about long- term consequences, is among the last regions to fully mature, often not reaching adult-like functioning until the mid-20s.

Emotions and decision-making

In teens, deep brain regions involved in emotion and reward (such as parts of the limbic system and amygdala) are highly active and more mature than the frontal “control” systems. Because the connections between these emotional centers and the prefrontal cortex are still developing, teens tend to rely more on feelings in the moment than on cool, long-range reasoning when making decisions.

Sensitivity to reward and risk

Reward circuits in the teenage brain respond more strongly to new, exciting, or socially rewarding experiences than in adults, which can drive novelty seeking and risk-taking. This heightened reward sensitivity also means teens can learn rapidly from positive outcomes, making adolescence a powerful time for building new skills and habits.

High plasticity and learning

Adolescent brains show high plasticity, meaning they are especially capable of change in response to experience, practice, and environment. This plasticity supports growth in complex thinking skills—like abstract reasoning and considering multiple perspectives—while also making teens more sensitive to both positive influences (supportive relationships, good schooling) and negative ones (stress, substances).

Social and emotional attunement

Teen brains become more sensitive to social information, such as peers’ opinions, acceptance, and status, which shapes behavior more strongly than in childhood or adulthood. This increased social and emotional attunement helps adolescents build independence and navigate complex social worlds, but also makes peer pressure and social stress especially powerful during these years.