We’ve all felt it – that rush of excitement when we try something new, when we score that winning goal, when we push outside of our comfort zone or accomplish a difficult task. There are so many ways to get that feeling of a natural high by taking healthy risks. Did you know that taking risks is actually good for your brain?
Risk-Taking Can Be Healthy
Your brain continues to develop until you’re around the age of 25. The brain’s reward system is highly active during the teenage and young adult years. The reward system releases dopamine into the brain, which is the “feel good” chemical and gets released when we expect to receive a reward. This allows for teens and young adults to learn very quickly.
The reward system in the brain is also connected to risk-taking. Risk-taking is not always a negative behaviour – it’s what allows young people to grow and to figure out who they are and what they like.
Try to find opportunities to take healthy risks. Take up new activities like auditioning for a school play, going for a mountain bike ride, trying to make a new friend, or playing a game of paintball.
Your Experiences Shape Your Brain
The activities and experiences that you’re into (e.g., music, sports, study, languages, video games) shape the brain you take with you into adulthood. How teens and young adults spend their time is very important in brain development. This also means that if you feed your brain things like nicotine, alcohol, weed and other drugs, these can also contribute to shaping your brain.
So... How Do You Get Your High?
We encourage you to do the activities you love that give you a natural high. Or try something new that’s healthy AND exciting. It feels good, and it’s good for your brain, too!