February is typically the month of love, think Valentine's Day. Do you have someone you have a crush on? Thinking of sending someone special

The Holidays are upon us. It is the season of giving and receiving gifts. But, do you ever wonder why we continue to give gifts?

By now, you are probably back at school, caught up with friends, memorized your schedule, and perhaps starting to feel overwhelmed with scho

The end of summer is upon us. You've probably been shopping for new school supplies, and even a new lunchbox. But have you thought about the

Have you ever been told ‘You’re so biased’? How did it feel? Have you called someone else out for ‘being biased’? Particularly biased against you? I would predict that both of these situations do not make you feel great. Being labelled as ‘biased’ or feeling ‘biased against’ makes you feel bad. However, at some point in our lives we all will expericed biases and being biased. But, have you wondered why biases exist? Why do they happen? Are biases good or bad? Neuroscience c

Do you recall our previous conversation on the impact of caffeine on the teenage brain back in November? Well, I had promised to discuss other stimulants and their impact on the brain. Today I want to talk to you about the impact of nicotine on your brain. Research has shown that some teenagers start to smoke due to peer pressure, their parents smoking or because they want to push boundaries. I’m not here to simply advise “just say no!”, I’m here to tell you the impact of nic

Are you on social media? Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TickTock, Twitter? Are you listening out for the notifications? Do you count the number of likes on a post? Are you being told to put your phone away all the time? Do you feel lost without your phone? Let me tell you about the neuroscience around social media and its impact on you. There is a growing body of evidence that encourages everyone to spend less time on social media. I’m here to present the neuroscience eviden

Do you love your Starbuck's caramel latte or mocha latte? Do you drink RedBull, Mother, Rockstart, Coke, or Diet Coke? Ever wondered why you are frequently told not to smoke or drink alcohol? I'm not here to simply advise "just say no!", I'm here to tell you the impact of these substances on your developing brain, so you can make up your own mind about what to do and when. Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuroscience has shown that the brain

Feeling strange? Not sure if you are happy, sad, angry, etc.? Find yourself losing your cool, and saying or doing something and you're not even sure why? You are not alone. Our emotions affect us deeply, and often unexpectedly. Someone might say something, or do something and it can make us feel ready to scream or yell at them. Do your parents tell you to 'Stop being so dramatic'! Learning to manage our emotions is a learnt skill, I have some quick tips on how to keep the

Bored and Brilliant Are you bored the moment your parents tell you to put your phone away or turn off your computer? Do you hate being bored? Does it feel like you are wasting your time when you are not ‘doing something’? Well, I’m here to tell you that boredom leads to being brilliant. Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuroscience has shown that the brain goes through critical periods of growth and development - while in the womb, the first y

Do you love listening to music? Always have your headphones on? Are you being told to "...turn that off and focus on your homework...", but you believe that you do your homework better when you have music playing in the background. Then read on, you'll soon have information to tell your parents to let you listen to music whenever you want! Even when you are doing your homework or trying to fall asleep! Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuros

Wondering if you should go to the school dance? Your mom is telling you to go, but you'd rather stay home and play Fortnite or binge watch Netflix? Well, I'm here to tell you that should go, and neuroscience will back me up! Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuroscience has shown that the brain goes through critical periods of growth and development - while in the womb, the first year of life, and the early years; right into adulthood. What

Do you love pizza? Hamburgers? Fries? Ice-cream with lots of toppings? Well, you are not alone. We all love these carbohydrate rich foods, but what about salmon or broccoli? Is your mom or dad constantly on your back to eat fruit and vegetables..."because they're good for you..."? Parents aren't always right, but on this occassion there is very good scientific evidence for the benefits of certain foods on your beautifully developing teenage brain. Your teenage brain is glor

D​o you love to stay up late at night? Constantly nagging your parents to let you have 'an all nighter' with your friends. Do your parents tell you to "...get some sleep..." or say "...you're just tired..." when you disagree with them! Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuroscience has shown that the brain goes through critical periods of growth and development - while in the womb, the first year of life, and the early years; right into adult

Are your parents constantly nagging you to go outside? Go play catch? Go for a run? Take your bike downtown? Always wondered why physical education is mandatory in school? Well, there is very good scientific evidence in favor of the benefits of exercise for your teenage brain. Your teenage brain is glorious - if you didn’t know that already. Neuroscience has shown that the brain goes through critical periods of growth and development - while in the womb, the first year of