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- Adolescence: decision-making still isn’t strong – While teen brains might look adult-like when it comes to their weight, they aren’t fully developed yet. Your body has been producing myelin that comes from the back of the brain, which is basically in charge of the most basic functions, to the front, which has more complex circuits. The frontal lobe is the last area to be fully myelinated, which is extremely important for decision-making, impulse control, and empathy, according to Dr. Jensen. While the frontal lobe of an adult knows when to say “no” to any kind of peer pressure and risks, adolescents don’t have that skill just yet.
- The 20s: switch from brain development to decline – When you’re in your mid to late 20s, the brain development that takes place in your frontal lobe has finally finished myelination, which is exactly what you need for judgment. Even so, there is one potential drawback to the development of your frontal lobe: it’s possible that mental illnesses like schizophrenia and anxiety flare-up.
- The 30s and 40s: learning gets harder – While in your 20s your brain slows down the production of brain cells and synapses, it doesn’t do so much “pruning”, which leads us to the reason why you have a harder time learning in your 30s. Meanwhile, during this time, your diet and exercise habits are setting up a strong or forgetful mind in the decades that follow.
- The 50s: memory starts to slip – There are many people who notice that their minds are slipping in their 50s, starting with short-term memory. These are also called “senior moments”, and they can be treated as something funny. Even so, about 5% of Alzheimer’s diagnoses are early-onset, so it’s important not to ignore symptoms that could be a sign of memory loss. You could try these amazing brain supplements to boost your memory.
- The 60s and 70s: connections are lost faster than they’re made – So, at age 65, one in 10 adults have Alzheimer’s. Between genetics and lifestyle risks, the risk is doubled every five years after 65. The causes of this aren’t completely clear, but scientists believe that as we age, our brain cells and synapses decline.
- The 80s and Alzheimer’s risk skyrockets – When you reach 85, you have an almost 50% risk of Alzheimer’s. Even so, this doesn’t mean that your memory’s fate is sealed. Genetics do play an important factor, in challenging our minds with activities that are boosting our brains and socializing. The most powerful of all exercises are aerobic. So, if you want to keep your mind sharp, aim for 20 minutes of aerobics every day.
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