TED Health The surprising science of adolescent brains | from TED Talks Daily
Dec 23, 2025
Neuroscientist Jennifer Pfeifer shares her insights on the adolescent brain, reframing this tumultuous period as a time of growth rather than dysfunction. She discusses how puberty impacts sleep and body image, linking early puberty to increased depression risks. Dispelling myths, she explains that while adolescent brains mature into their mid-20s, teens can make sound decisions by age 16. Pfeifer emphasizes the minimal impact of social media compared to the influence of relationships and parental support on youth mental health.
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Adolescence Is A Defined Developmental Window
- Adolescence spans roughly ages 10 to 25 based on puberty onset and social role changes.
- Jennifer Pfeifer reframes adolescence as a developmental stage with biological start and social end.
Puberty Shifts Teen Sleep Patterns
- Puberty causes a sleep phase delay so teens feel tired one to two hours later.
- Jennifer Pfeifer links many visible puberty changes to internal hormonal shifts affecting sleep and behavior.
Early Maturation Raises Social Risks
- Early puberty increases depression risk mostly because of body image and how society treats early maturers.
- Pfeifer emphasizes social perception and adultification, not hormones alone, as key drivers of risk.