Unexplainable Diary of a teenage brain
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Dec 8, 2025 Raul Gonzalez Jr., a psychology professor and head of the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development study, dives into the complexities of the teenage brain. He discusses the massive longitudinal study tracking substance use and other factors in adolescents. Raul reveals how hair tests validate self-reported drug use, highlighting discrepancies in honesty. He shares insights on psychosocial predictors of early substance initiation and challenges faced in engaging youth over time. As a parent, Raul reflects on balancing guidance with freedom for his teenager.
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Massive Longitudinal Teen Brain Study
- The ABCD study follows nearly 12,000 kids across the U.S. to map adolescent brain and behavior development over years.
- It combines MRI, genetics, teeth, hair, hormones, and surveys to create an unprecedented longitudinal dataset.
Participant Story: Why A Kid Stayed In
- Brianna joined ABCD at nine because her mom signed her up and she liked learning about her brain.
- She recalls iPad games, MRI nerves, and winning prize money as reasons she stayed involved.
Objective Tests Reveal Hidden Use
- Self-report among teens is imperfect: hair toxicology found drug use where kids reported none.
- About 10% of sampled participants had positive hair results despite denying use.