How the brain continues to mature from your 20s through your 40s
By
Helen Thomson
Summary
This article explores the neurological development of the brain beyond the legal definition of adulthood. It explains that the brain continues to mature well into a person's 20s, 30s, and even 40s, with different regions developing at different rates. Key areas like the prefrontal cortex (responsible for decision-making and impulse control) are among the last to fully mature. The article discusses how brain changes from the 20s to the 40s affect cognition, emotional regulation, risk assessment, and social behavior, challenging the conventional notion that adulthood begins at 18 or 21.
Source
Key quotes
· 3 pulledLegally, adulthood arrives on a schedule, usually at age 18 or 21 in most countries.
Yet neurologically, it isn't that straightforward – there isn't an exact moment when the brain flips a switch.
We're now understanding the many ways the organ continues to mature decades after society first deems you an adult.
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