Understanding Neuroplasticity in the Underage Brain

By: Jack J.

For many adolescents, the early signs of substance abuse involve inattention, disinterest, poor academic performance, and risk/attention-seeking behavior (Mayo Clinic, 2022). The reinforcement of these behaviors through social approval or substance use can snowball into a chronic disorder.

What can we do as role models, educators, and counselors to promote healthy habit-forming for adolescents who may or may not already be experimenting with substances? Some signs that are less associated with substance abuse but can be present in many classrooms are students lacking motivation, avoiding eye contact, irregular intervals of high and low energy, and noticeably decreasing academic performance (The Partnership, 2023). With an understanding of how neuroplasticity affects adolescent brains, positively and negatively, and by encouraging the development of healthy habits, educators play a vital role in helping prevent the development of negative behaviors in adolescents. The first step in prevention starts with awareness.

What is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to develop new neural connections through repetitive actions and behaviors (Schmidt, 2007). Repetitively performing a particular behavior creates new neural networks in our brains making the next performance of that behavior easier. For example, a learning process that we’ve all gone through is learning to ride a bike. At first, we don’t have the neural network to ride the bike, but, with practice, we begin to form this new neural connection and can ride it effortlessly. Even if we haven’t ridden a bike in years, we still have the neural connection that allows us to get back on the bike. Similarly, when an individual engaging in substance use recreationally, they will gradually form a neural network more prone to engage in drug-seeking behavior.

Neuroplasticity and Substance Use

There are two primary forms of neuroplasticity as it relates to substance abuse:

  • The first form of neuroplasticity, and the most common, is physical dependence.
  • This physical dependence manifests as an increased tolerance (reduced effects provided by the drug) to the substance and physical withdrawal upon cessation (O’Brien, 2009).
  • The next form of neuroplasticity is compulsive drug-seeking/risk-seeking behavior.
  • Drugs or behaviors that activate the brain’s dopamine signaling pathway (i.e., the brain’s reward system) directly reinforce the drug/behavior, thus increasing the chance of recurrence. In contrast, healthy behaviors that activate this system or that are rewarded will increase the chances of the healthy behavior recurring.

Rewiring the Brain

Harmful:

The dopamine that is released from a drug is usually greater than the amount released from a natural reward. The increased dopamine release from the drug reinforces the drug-using and drug-seeking behavior (O’Brien, 2009). As the drug use continues, the neural network surrounding the behavior strengthens. The reinforcement of negative behavior, whether it be the euphoria of a substance or from social validation, plays a major role in harmful neuroplastic changes. When such behaviors are chronically reinforced, deep-rooted neurological changes occur and ultimately normalize the behavior. Understanding that a student’s divergent behavior may be the manifestation of early substance abuse or risk-seeking behavior is the first step. If we can recognize the impact of behavior reinforcement on neuroplastic changes, we can begin making positive changes in our students.

Helpful:

Conversely, the promotion and reinforcement of healthy habits and coping mechanisms cause preferable neurological changes. In this sense, neuroplastic changes in adolescents’ brains can lead to lifelong healthy habits. Promoting and rewarding students for healthy habits and academic performance reinforces positive behavior in students.

Substance abuse on the brain through neuroplasticity and the dopamine signaling pathway is crucial for prevention and intervention strategies. Understanding how these changes occur can help educators, counselors, and parents better recognize where behaviors, both healthy and harmful, may become engrained. and ultimately prevent our youth from experiencing the harmful effects of drug abuse and promote healthier lifestyle choices.

Citations:

Wise RA, Jordan CJ. Dopamine, behavior, and addiction. J Biomed Sci. 2021 Dec 2;28(1):83. doi: 10.1186/s12929-021-00779-7. PMID: 34852810; PMCID: PMC8638539.

(2007). Neuroplasticity. In: Schmidt, R., Willis, W. (eds) Encyclopedia of Pain. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-29805-2_2696

O’Brien CP. Neuroplasticity in addictive disorders. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2009;11(3):350-3. doi: 10.31887/DCNS.2009.11.3/cpobrien. PMID: 19877501; PMCID: PMC3181920.