Why Do Adolescent Males Demonstrate Impulsive Behavior?

We've all done impulsive things in our lives. For some, it's adding a dozen extra items to the grocery store's check-out line. For others, it's hopping in a car and taking a last-minute trip to the beach. Unfortunately, teens are especially at risk for impulsive actions because their brains are still developing. Adolescent males are especially prone to impulsive behavior due to puberty changes in their bodies and minds. The hormones testosterone and dopamine are partly to blame. This connection between brain development and impulsivity can lead to poor decision-making and substance use. Contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center to learn more about our substance use and mental health treatment programs. Call us at 662.373.2828.

How Does Impulsive Behavior in Male Teens and the Brain Connect?

To better understand adolescent males and impulsive behavior, you must look at the teen brain. As a teen, the brain is not fully developed. For the brain to ultimately reach maturity, it can take an adolescent well into their 20s, even their late 20s, to set completely. Specifically, the prefrontal and frontal cortex are part of the adolescent brain, but these parts are not fully formed. As a result, teens do not have full access to these parts of the brain. This is the neuroscience explanation given by neurologist and author Dr. Frances Jensen as she discussed her book, "The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist's Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults," with NPR. In the adolescent brain, the frontal and prefrontal cortexes aren't accessed with the same rapidity as the adult brain, which is why adolescents can act more impulsively—the frontal and prefrontal cortex house important executive functions like judgment and decision-making. Risky behaviors, thrill-seeking, and impulsivity are not simply symptoms of teenagehood, but symptoms of the developing adolescent brain.

What Is the Connection Between Impulsive Behavior and Adolescent Males?

There is a clear connection between impulsive behavior and adolescent males. Boys going through puberty have an influx of the hormone testosterone, which has been linked to impulsive and risky behavior. Studies have shown that testosterone levels in boys begin to rise during puberty and continue to do so into early adulthood. This increase in testosterone has been associated with changes in behavior, such as increased impulsive behavior, sensation-seeking, and risk-taking. In addition to testosterone, dopamine is another hormone that plays a role in adolescent male impulsivity. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is involved in the brain's reward system. This system is responsible for the pleasurable feelings we experience when we do things that are good for us, like eating or having sex.

Adolescent Males and Their Impulsive Behavior Linked to Active Reward System

During adolescence, the brain's reward system is very active, and teens can experience intense pleasure from activities that adults find mundane. This difference is because the adolescent brain is more sensitive to dopamine than the adult brain. As a result, adolescents are more likely to seek out activities that will result in a dopamine release, such as risky behaviors. Risky behaviors can include:

Alcohol and drug use
Unprotected sex
Reckless driving

While the hormones testosterone and dopamine are partly to blame for impulsive behavior in adolescent males, it is essential to remember that the brain is still developing during adolescence. This means that teenage males are not fully capable of making sound decisions and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors. If you are concerned about your son's impulsive behavior, please get in touch with Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center.

Get Help at Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center

Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center is an adolescent substance use treatment facility providing long-term residential treatment programs. Our unique blend of traditional and modern therapies gives adolescent boys the best chance at a lasting recovery. Our program includes:

If your teen's brain development and impulsivity have become a cause for concern, contact Stonewater Adolescent Recovery Center today for more information at 662.373.2828.

The Stonewater Adolescent Treatment Process

What to Expect When Your Child Goes to Treatment

More than half a million families put a child into residential treatment for adolescents each year. If your family is taking this step, you are not alone - even if it may feel that way. With a clear understanding of what to expect, and trusted guides walking alongside you, this moment can be transformed from a time of fear and uncertainty to the beginning of a new and positive journey. Let's begin.