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Tag Archives: risk taking

The teenage brain

By Amanda Leigh Mascarelli / October 17, 2012

The brain releases dopamine when something makes us feel good — like pulling off an exciting trick. The strength of this “feel good” response in teens helps explain why they sometimes chance real risks. Credit: iStockphoto

Adolescence triggers brain — and behavioral — changes that few kids or adults understand

Posted in Brain & Behavior | Tagged Adaptation, adolescence, Beatriz Luna, behavior, BJ Casey, brain, Brown University, Cornell University, decision making, Eveline Crone, evolution, feature, impulsiveness, incentives, learning, Leiden University, Michael Frank, nerve, neuron, prefrontal cortex, reward center, risk taking, synapses, synaptic pruning, teenager, temptations, topstories, University of Pittsburgh, ventral striatum