How Adolescents Weigh Risks and Benefits

Developmental psychologist Bonnie Halpern-Felsher specializes in teenage health-related decision-making, especially in their use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Young people, she says, value immediate social benefits over long-term risks. In response, she supports bans on flavored nicotine products and has developed nationally and internationally used evidence-based substance use prevention and intervention programs, including some that are culturally targeted, such as her vaping prevention curriculum in Hawaii zeroing in on popular flavors like mango and poi. The reward, she says, is reduced substance use and better mental health. “Talk to your kids. Don’t lecture. Have a conversation,” Halpern-Felsher tells host Russ Altman of the best way to break through on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: ​​Bonnie Halpern-Felsher
• Halpern-Felsher REACH Lab | Stanford Medicine

Connect With Us:

• Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website
• Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon
• Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University.

(00:03:52) Focus on Youth Substance Use

Bonnie explains her focus on studying substance behaviors in adolescents.

(00:05:32) Current Trends in Youth Health

The mixed indicators across behavior and mental health in youth.

(00:08:46) Effective Health Communication

Why long-horizon risk messaging often underperforms in adolescents.

(00:11:16) Policy Translation & Advocacy

How Bonnie translates research findings into policy advocacy.

(00:13:54) School-Based Prevention Programs

An overview of evidence-based curricula and target age groups.

(00:15:04) Measuring Program Impact

The evaluation approaches and challenges of the prevention programs.

(00:16:41) Youth Dependence & Cessation

Why addiction develops quickly and the limited treatment options.

(00:18:18) Program Adaptation Across Contexts

How curricula are localized without redesigning core methods.

(00:21:00) Youth-Oriented Product Marketing

The strategies used by substance industries to market to youth.

(00:23:38) Cannabis Potency & Health Risk

The link between higher THC concentrations and medical outcomes.

(00:26:48) Patterns of Cannabis Use

The common modes of cannabis use and related exposure risks.

(00:28:10) Early Exposure & Prevention Needs

The reports of substance exposure and use at increasingly early ages.

(00:29:10) Guidance for Caregivers

Practical guidance for caregivers concerned about substance use.

(00:31:23) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: asking for help, substance regulation, and alternate degree.

(00:33:37) Conclusion

Connect With Us:

Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook

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