About Us
Message from the Founder
I am a neuroscience and cognitive science student at the University of Pennsylvania, driven by a deep fascination with the human brain and a commitment to solving some of its most complex challenges. My academic journey has been shaped by a desire to understand not just the brain’s inner workings, but how it fundamentally shapes who we are—our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This passion for unraveling the brain’s mysteries is paired with a larger mission: to tackle major neurological disorders and pursue a career as a neurosurgeon, where I can bring both scientific discovery and hands-on healing to those in need.
At the age of 14, I encountered a revelation that changed the course of my life: the adolescent brain undergoes extraordinary transformations. As a young teenager, it was humbling to realize that these changes were influencing how I thought, felt, and acted. I began to understand that my impulsive behaviors and emotional swings were not flaws, but natural manifestations of my brain’s ongoing development—particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which governs decision-making and impulse control.
This self-awareness became a turning point in my life. I was witnessing firsthand what neuroscience calls synaptic pruning and neuroplasticity, as my brain refined its connections. What struck me, however, was that many of my peers were unaware of these changes. I saw friends struggle with self-doubt, peer pressure, and emotional overwhelm without understanding the science behind it. This realization fueled my desire to share this knowledge and led me to start my nonprofit, “Our Teen Brains.”
Through “Our Teen Brains,” I aim to empower teenagers by educating them about the biological basis behind their emotions, decisions, and behaviors. I believe that if young people are equipped with the knowledge of how their brains are developing, they can make choices that nurture their brain’s growth, fostering emotional resilience and healthier decision-making. This information has proven to be life-changing not only for teenagers but also for parents, teachers, counselors, and caregivers who work closely with them. Understanding the changes happening in the adolescent brain can create a more supportive and empathetic environment, allowing those who care for teens to guide them more effectively through these critical years.
Adolescence is a time when the prefrontal cortex is still maturing, while the amygdala—the brain’s emotional center—is fully active, creating a delicate balance between emotion and logic. My mission is to help teenagers navigate this balance, offering them—and the adults in their lives—the tools to thrive mentally and emotionally during this transformative stage of life. Beyond my academic work and future aspirations as a neurosurgeon, I am committed to creating a future where every teenager understands their developing brain and is empowered to make informed choices that shape their lives positively.
Please join me in this effort!
Sincerely,
Shivek Narang
https://shiveknarang.github.io
Our Beginning
FROM FOUNDER, SHIVEK NARANG
Adolescence is a pivotal phase in human development, marked by a complete overhaul of the brain’s neural circuitry and the intricate connections between various pathways.
The developmental pace of these neural circuits experiences a natural imbalance. The limbic system, governing emotions, tends to mature rapidly at the onset of adolescence. Meanwhile, the prefrontal cortex, responsible for rational decision-making, undergoes a slower development. This disjunction often results in teenagers relying on their emotions rather than rational thinking when making decisions.
Now at 21, having transitioned from a teenager to an adolescent, I continue to navigate the effects of this evolving brain. My longstanding interest in neuroscience has drawn my attention to the neural changes occurring during adolescence, particularly in light of the concerning rise in teenage depression and mental health issues.
As someone who has personally experienced the challenges of adolescence, I recognize the importance of raising awareness about these brain changes. If teenagers worldwide were more informed about the transformations their brains undergo, they could better equip themselves to confront the complexities of this developmental stage. This underscores the vital role of sharing information about the adolescent brain within our community.
Through the dissemination of this knowledge, my aim is to empower teenagers globally to navigate the enigma that is adolescence. By fostering awareness and understanding, I aspire to contribute to the well-being of teenagers worldwide as they grapple with the intricacies of this transformative period in their lives.
Our Impact
Our organization has been giving talks to teenagers and caregivers in public schools and youth forums throughout the bay area, hosting sessions where topics such as neuro-anatomy, the importance of friendship, and peer pressure are all discussed. As our organization spreads outwards to share this knowledge throughout the entire nation, we hope that with this new information, teenagers will think twice before succumbing to peer pressure or making an impulsive decision.
DOLLARS RAISED
Our organization has been raising funds for organizations supporting mental health for students.
YEARS SERVING COMMUNITIES
Our organization has been running for the last seven years, with our presentations helping make a difference in the teenage community.
CHILDREN IMPACTED
By presenting at schools, youth assemblies and organizations, our organization has helped make a difference in the lives of over 5000 teenagers.
The Effect of the Teenage Brain on Behavior
Adolescence is a time of significant growth and development inside the teenage brain. Because the prefrontal cortex is still developing, teenagers rely on amygdala (center for emotions) to make decisions and solve problems more than adults do. While the prefrontal cortex (area for planning, decision making and moderating social behavior) is still not fully developed, teenagers undergo major changes in their limbic system (the area of the brain that controls emotions). Doctors now believe that this difference in timing of development of the prefrontal cortex causes the risk-taking and impulsive behaviors which are rather common among teenagers. Teenagers tend to make decisions based on their emotions rather than logic.
The teenage years are the years when our brains are most malleable and adaptable to be changed, whether it be helping us learn all the countries and capitals in Europe for a history test, or by making us more susceptible to be influenced by peers into taking drugs and alcohol that can have a profound impact on a person for their whole life. The teenage brain is also marked by development, especially in the prefrontal cortex, a region which codes for decision making and emotions, making teenagers like us the most moody and unfortunately sometimes boneheaded when it comes to making the right choice. We are susceptible to peer pressure, school pressure, and the struggles of trying to fit in society. This is a lot to handle and it can often lead to mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
We know that on a grand scale, teenagers suffer from mental health problems but when it comes to each child, individually, we sometimes fail to overlook some of the key signs of their anxiety, mistaking it to be “just a teenage thing”. This stigma leads some people to overlook teenage mental health problems and often convinces the teenagers that there is nothing wrong with them and that help is not needed. Or there may be cases where the individual is simply too embarrassed to share what they are going through and seek help.
Our goal at Our Teen Brains is to help reduce this stigma by sharing with others the neuroscience behind the teenage years and explaining that oftentimes, the development of the brain causes the wide variety of (often negative) emotions that teenagers display and that they are susceptible to mental health diseases. It is extremely important to understand how brain development and growth impacts the way teens behave and act.
By raising awareness and explaining the neuroscience behind what happens, teenagers as well as their caretakers will be able to understand the the struggles they are going through. This further raises awareness about the teenage brain and mental health disorders that would help us navigate society with positive interactions.