Puberty and brain development are closely connected. As hormones change during puberty, they interact with a brain that’s still maturing throughout the teenage years. These changes often affect how your teen responds to emotions, rewards, relationships, and everyday situations.
While changes in mood and behavior can be a normal part of adolescent development, persistent or severe changes may be a sign that your teen could benefit from extra support.
Understanding brain development can also help explain why your teen may be responding to situations differently than they did as a child. So if you want to find out more about how puberty changes brain development, this page can help. On it, we cover:
Puberty is a normal part of growing older. Often, it brings to mind images of body changes, getting zits, or growing hair in places other than your head. But puberty also affects the brain, though not everyone realizes this.
Puberty begins when the teen brain tells the body to increase the production of hormones such as testosterone and estrogen. And as hormone levels shift, you may start to notice physical changes. For instance, testosterone is linked to growing facial and underarm hair, while estrogen contributes to breast and hip development.[1]
These hormones can also interact with the developing brain and influence how it works.[1] Understanding this connection can give you a clearer picture of your teen’s overall development.
Puberty brings hormonal changes that affect much more than physical development. They also interact with the brain and can shape how it works.
Neuroscience tells us that, during adolescence, the brain changes its structure and connections. These changes happen due to natural teenage development and involve processes such as:
Also, hormones like testosterone and estrogen interact with and increase how sensitive the limbic system is. This is the part of the brain involved in:[6][7]
As a result, rewards and emotions can feel especially exciting or intense.
At the same time, the prefrontal cortex and other systems involved in planning, impulse control, emotional regulation, and considering long-term consequences are still developing.[5]
However, these systems don’t all mature at the same pace. For instance, a teen may have a highly sensitive reward system that allows them to feel intense emotions, but not the skills to fully manage these emotions or control their impulses. This helps explain why teenagers might feel “big” feelings or make decisions on impulse before they’ve fully thought through the consequences.
But remember, these changes are a normal part of teenage growth and development. So understanding what causes them can help you respond to changes in your teen’s behavior and mood with compassion.
Every adolescent experiences puberty differently. So, despite some stereotypes, hormonal and brain changes don’t mean your teen will suddenly become highly argumentative or go through an extreme emotional rollercoaster.
Yet the combination of fluctuating hormones due to puberty, brain development, increasing independence, and new social experiences can all influence how a teen behaves.
For example, you might notice your teen:[8][3][9]
Sometimes, what looks like stubbornness or moodiness may reflect your teen learning to manage their emotions. And if your teen sleeps in or goes to bed late, it might be partly because of natural changes to their body clock.
To put it simply, your teen’s reactions and behaviors might reflect the challenges they’re going through while puberty happens and their brain continues to develop.
Mission Prep is here to help you or your loved one take the next steps towards an improved mental well-being.
During puberty and brain development, adolescents may experience emotions more intensely, particularly as parts of the brain involved in emotional regulation are still developing.[8] This can contribute to what we commonly call teenage “mood swings” – sudden or intense changes in emotional states.
For example, your teen might feel excited one moment, frustrated the next, then embarrassed soon after. These rapid shifts in emotions can happen naturally while they develop the skills needed to manage intense and complex feelings.
So, we know emotions can feel particularly intense during adolescence, especially with the hormone changes that puberty brings. But while hormone shifts may contribute to some mood changes, they don’t tell the whole story.
Your teen’s mood is also often shaped by their experiences and what they are dealing with at the time. Your teen might be figuring out “who they are” as they gain more independence, which could raise questions or stir up complicated feelings.
Perhaps they’re trying to cope with school pressure or expectations, adding to their stress levels. Maybe they’re adjusting to new relationships and friendships. Or, it may be a case of “all of the above.”
This is why a teen’s mood isn’t just influenced by hormones; experiences also count for a lot when it comes to emotional development.
While you can’t control how your teen’s brain develops or when puberty happens, you can create an environment that supports their overall well-being.
Here are some practical ways you can support your teen:
But this doesn’t mean you need to be calm every second of the day. You’re allowed to have emotional ups and downs. We all have occasional bad days. In fact, these can be useful opportunities to show your teen how to handle difficult or intense emotions in balanced ways, such as frustration or stress.
Noticing changes in your teen’s mood or the way they act is another way you can support them. Not every change is related to puberty or hormones. So, if you feel like something is “off” with your teen, it may be worth paying attention to.
Let’s be clear: mood changes during puberty don’t automatically mean a teen needs treatment. Emotional shifts during this time are completely normal.
However, persistent or severe changes in their behavior or mood – particularly when they interfere with daily routines – may be a reason to seek additional guidance or support.
You may want to consider speaking with a mental health professional if changes in your teen’s mood or behavior:
This is because they might be signs of a deeper well-being issue that requires extra support.
If your teen talks about self-harm, suicide, or not wanting to be alive anymore, this is a red flag that they need urgent support.[10]
If you’re concerned about your teen’s immediate safety, particularly because of self-harm or suicidal thoughts, call or text 988 Lifeline, call 911, or take them to your nearest emergency department.
With the right help, teens can continue developing the skills they need to make their way through adolescence.
Mission Prep provides treatment for teens experiencing various mental health conditions. Mental Health support is a phone call away – call 866-901-4047 to learn about your treatment options.
See our residences in Southern California’s Los Angeles & San Diego areas.
View our facilities in Loudoun County, VA within the DC metro area.
While many changes in adolescent mood and behavior may relate to puberty or brain development, others might be a sign that your teen could benefit from additional support. Understanding the link between puberty and brain development can help you respond to your teen with patience and compassion and recognize when professional help may be beneficial.
At Mission Prep Teen Treatment, we offer a variety of treatment programs and use evidence-based therapeutic approaches and innovative interventions to foster sustainable change for adolescents and their families.
Whether your teen could benefit from residential treatment at one of our locations, or something more flexible like an outpatient mental health program or virtual telehealth to treat their mental health concerns, our team can help.
Mission Prep Teen Treatment accepts insurance and is in-network with most major providers. We are happy to help you check your insurance coverage for mental health care.
If your teen is experiencing persistent emotional or behavioral changes, you don’t have to figure it out on your own. Contact us online or call 866-901-4047 to speak with a caring member of our team who can answer any questions you might have. Reach out for a free, no-obligation conversation.
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