How do you talk with a teenager when it feels like you’re speaking different languages?

I started looking into brain development for my own kids—my oldest is seventeen—and what I learned changed how I see every decision they make.

Today, I’ll share:

• Why adolescent and teen brains work differently than adult brains
• What science tells us about impulse control, emotions, and risk
• How parents and teachers can better support young people’s development

Schedule an appointment HERE.

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Key Takeaways

1. The brain is not a static organ—it continues to grow, adapt, and change throughout a person’s life due to neuroplasticity. This means that choices, environment, and experiences have ongoing impacts on brain development, especially during adolescence.

2. Adolescents’ brains are fundamentally different from adults’. The emotional centers (like the amygdala) develop before the logical “check” systems in the prefrontal cortex, which don’t fully mature until the mid-20s. This underlies the common emotionality, impulsiveness, and risk-taking behaviors seen in teenagers.

3. Factors such as sleep, nutrition, social environment, stress, and exposure to substances (like drugs or alcohol) deeply affect the developing adolescent brain. Supportive, healthy environments and routines are critical to positive brain growth during these years.

4. Teenagers are more emotionally driven and seek social acceptance and peer connections, making them more sensitive to social dynamics, peer pressure, and emotional highs and lows. This can increase vulnerability to mental health issues, especially in stressful or isolated environments.

5. Understanding the science behind adolescent brain development can help parents, teachers, and others respond with patience and empathy, rather than frustration. Supporting healthy independence, encouraging open communication, and nurturing positive experiences can foster better decisions and well-being in teens.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Understanding Adolescent Brain Development

05:09 Why Teens React Emotionally

07:37 Memory Influenced by Emotion

10:08 Deciding When Kids Get Phones

13:54 Phineas Gage's Frontal Lobe Impact

20:01 Teen Phone Dependency and Mental Health

24:16 Adolescent Brain Development Insights

25:37 Protecting Brain Health from Substances

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How does someone go from researching cancer and gene therapy to making chocolate for people with metabolic challenges?

Dr. Patton hosts Dr. Beata Lerman, Founder and CEO of Sinless Treats Chocolate, who details her transition from scientist to chocolatier. Dr. Lerman recounts her early career in biomedical research, her experience as a cancer survivor, and her decision to eliminate sugar from her diet. She discusses the creation of Sinless Treats, a chocolate line designed not to raise blood sugar, using natural sweeteners and whole ingredients.

Chocolate production starts from cacao beans sourced directly from farmers. The process includes grinding, sweetener infusion, and the addition of ingredients such as broccoli microgreens for added nutrients. Glucose monitor tests show the chocolate does not spike blood sugar, and Dr. Lerman invites listeners to participate in upcoming research.

Learn more about Sinless Treats Chocolate here, follow them on Instagram, and listen to Dr. Lerman's podcast Heal Me with Chocolate on your favorite podcast app.

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do so many of us wait until we are sick to see a doctor, when prevention could change our lives and lower our costs?

In this episode, Dr. Patton explores:

1. The reasons we miss the mark on preventative care

2. The real impact of skipping screenings and checkups

3. What stands in the way, and how we can help fix it

Learn more about Dr. Eddie Patton HERE.

Subscribe to Your Health, Your Wealth on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

Key Takeaways

1. Preventative care, such as vaccinations, screenings, and regular checkups, is crucial for improving quality of life and reducing healthcare costs. Addressing health issues early or preventing them altogether is far more effective and less expensive than treating advanced diseases.

2. Failing to prioritize preventative care leads to higher healthcare expenditures, the financial and emotional burden on families, and overcrowded emergency rooms. Treating chronic and late-stage illnesses is far more costly than preventive measures.

3. Multiple barriers, including inadequate reimbursement incentives for doctors, healthcare access issues in rural or underserved communities, cultural mindsets favoring reactive care, and logistical challenges (like transportation and food deserts), make it difficult for many people to prioritize prevention.

4. Shifting to a culture of health prevention requires early and ongoing education, embracing workplace wellness programs, using technology (like wearables), and policy changes to improve access and reimbursement for preventative care.

5. Individuals can contribute by scheduling regular health checkups, following screening guidelines, and engaging in community health programs. Communities, employers, and policymakers need to promote and support preventative care through incentives, improved access, and education.

Timestamped Overview

00:00 Preventative Care's Impact on Costs

03:56 Preventive Care Savings vs. Costs

08:25 Preventive Care to Cut ER Costs

12:41 Shift to Preventative Healthcare Mindset

16:05 Promoting Workplace Wellness Initiatives

18:53 Promoting Preventative Healthcare Practices

22:11 Improving Preventative Care Access

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.