The Hilarious Hijinks of the Underdeveloped Prefrontal Cortex: Life Before 25

Greetings, Sunday Morning Coffee readers, fellow brain enthusiasts, and neurologically curious individuals! Today, we embark on a delightfully humorous journey into the wacky world of the prefrontal cortex, that small but mighty part of our brains responsible for reasoning, decision-making, and maturity. Brace yourselves for a hilariously relatable exploration of the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex and its consequences in our lives before the ripe old age of 25.

The Adventures of Spontaneity:

Ah, the thrill of impulsive decisions! From dyeing our hair neon green to attempting ill-advised acrobatics, the underdeveloped prefrontal cortex encourages us to embrace a life full of thrilling spontaneity. Why carefully consider the consequences when you can jump headfirst into questionable escapades and laugh later? The phrase "YOLO" was practically invented for us pre-25-year-olds!

The Art of Procrastination:

Who needs a fully formed prefrontal cortex to excel in the art of procrastination? This neurological wonderland offers us a unique blend of distraction and forgetfulness, transforming us into world-class procrastinators. Ever spent hours organizing your sock drawer instead of writing that crucial essay? You can thank your still-developing prefrontal cortex for that stroke of genius!

Forgetfulness: A Daily Comedy Show:

Ah, the glory of forgetfulness! While our prefrontal cortex might still be in training, we've become experts in creating memorable moments of forgetfulness. From losing our keys for the hundredth time to showing up to a friend's birthday party a week late, we're the comedic geniuses of absentmindedness. Who needs a fully formed brain when you can have a good laugh at your own expense?

Embracing the Emotional Roller Coaster:

Buckle up, folks! The pre-25 brain is a playground of emotional roller coasters. Blame it on our underdeveloped prefrontal cortex or chalk it up to youthful exuberance, but we're prone to experience intense emotions that change as quickly as the latest social media trends. From laughing hysterically at a cat video one minute to sobbing over spilled milk the next, we've mastered the art of emotional theatrics.

Risky Business:

With our prefrontal cortex still honing its decision-making skills, we tend to dabble in a bit of reckless behavior. Who needs caution when you can engage in extreme sports, challenge your stomach with questionable food choices, or test the limits of your credit card? The possibilities are endless when your judgment is partially on vacation!

There you have it, dear readers, a humorous glimpse into the wild and wonderful world of the pre-25 prefrontal cortex. Today’s subject has been inspired by interactions with my 6 year old granddaughter and work with juvenile justice professionals who have stories about students at the age of 18 who reason about as well as my 6 year old. Hm…I see many similarities between my gbaby and the youth, juveniles, and emerging adults I’ve worked with in the criminal justice system. Maybe it’s because their brains are in a similar stage of development. My gbaby because she’s 6 and the reasoning part of her brain is just beginning to form. These other kiddos because chronic and acute trauma began before the age of 6 or maybe at the age of 6, was never addressed, and their brain growth is arrested, staying at the age of 6 (or 10 or 16 or whatever) until someone helps them understand and heal from their trauma. No matter the size of the body or the chronological age, the brain can and will freeze, refusing to grow its prefrontal cortex, so that the amygdala can stay fully activated in fight, flight, or freeze mode, protecting its owner from more trauma. Trauma and more trauma. That’s why, when a staff member in a prison or jail would say, “He’s 35 years old and acts like he’s 16,” my response is, “He probably is still 16.”

Re-read my humorous descriptions of pre-age-of-25 behaviors and now consider the results as a criminal act. How about spontaneity? You’re hanging with your buds from the neighborhood and on a whim, one decides to do a B&E. You go along, because, well, why not? How about wreckless behavior? Carjacking comes to mind. Carrying a weapon. Joining a gang. Emotional rollercoaster? Every gang shooting known to history can be chalked up to this one. Your turf…your adopted familiy…your business…your girl…These are all hallmarks of being an emotionally crazed teen or young adult, but with deadly consequences.

Newsflash: kids don’t raise themselves very well. When left to their own devices, young people without a fully formed prefrontal cortex make really, really, really, bad decisions.

While science tells us that this crucial brain region isn't fully formed until our mid-20s, we can embrace the laughter, the chaos, and the memorable moments it brings to our lives. Ever been to your highschool reunion? At least some of the time there is spent rehashing all of the stupid stuff you did with your friends. At the age of 40 or so, all those hijinks are pretty funny. After all, life would be pretty dull without a few hilarious mishaps and the occasional burst of impulsive brilliance. If that behavior led to a criminal act, or worse yet, if you’re a black or brown kid, behaviors that are seen as humorous hijinks for a young man who’s white are more likely to be viewed as criminogenic (before someone rolls their eyes and thinks I’m being a little to liberal-thinking here, there is a plethora of research to back this statement), then you might be laughing at the age of 40 about stupid stuff you did as a kid, but you may be doing it from a cell.

In the criminal justice system, we have to consider neuroscience in diversionary activities (how about we provide trauma informed care/treatment instead of boot camps and disciplinary schools?), opportunities for individuals to address childhood trauma while incarcerated (how many ACEs does an individual have, and how can they be addressed therapeutically?), and support not just for employment but for MH treatment (cognitive behavior therapy included) upon release. This one is a no-brainer (pun intended. Insert chuckling here). We know the causes, we know the responses…we just don’t apply them.

Well, if you’re working or living with anyone under the age of 25, or you ARE under the age of 25, until our prefrontal cortex catches up with the rest of us, all we can really do is enjoy the comedic roller coaster ride and cherish the youthful antics that make life so entertaining. And save all the crazy stories so that you can either laugh about them at your subsequent highschool reunions or embarrass your children, grandchildren, or friends with their retelling at opportune moments in the future. If you’re working with justice-involved young people, get them the help they need. Their stories aren’t all that funny. Give them better ones!

Cheers to the underdeveloped brain! If you’re over the age of 25, take a moment to raise your coffee cup. Thank goodness, right?