What Is the Cerebral Cortex and Why Is It So Important During Adolescence?
Did you know that inside your head there is a part of the brain in charge of almost everything important? Thinking, making decisions, controlling impulses, imagining, speaking⦠all of that happens thanks to one very special part: the cerebral cortex.
And the most curious thing is that during adolescence this part of the brain is still under construction. That is why it is so important to get to know it, take care of it, and learn how to train it.
What exactly is the cerebral cortex?
The cerebral cortex is the outermost layer of the brain. If you have ever seen an image of the brain with folds and wrinkles, what you are looking at is the cortex. Although it is very thin, if we stretched it out it would cover about two square meters.
This part of the brain is made up mostly of gray matter, which is the area where many of our neurons live. These neurons connect with each other to create thoughts, memories, ideas, decisions, emotionsâ¦
What is the brain’s gray matter?
Gray matter is like a network of millions of neurons that allow us to reason, imagine, learn, control our emotions, or remember things.
It is called gray because of its color, although it can actually have different shades. This part is like the “intelligent” part of the brain, the one that becomes most active when we are studying, thinking, or doing something that requires concentration.
What is the cerebral cortex for?
The cerebral cortex is divided into different areas called cerebral lobes, and each one has a specific function:
- Frontal lobe: it handles planning, impulse control, decision-making, and language. It is very important for organization and self-control.
- Parietal lobe: it helps interpret space, movement, and bodily sensations.
- Occipital lobe: it processes everything related to vision.
- Temporal lobe: it takes part in memory, sound recognition, and language.
These areas work together. For example, if you are giving an oral presentation in class, your frontal lobe is planning what you are going to say, your temporal lobe recalls the information, your occipital lobe picks up on the audience’s reactions, and your parietal lobe helps you position yourself correctly in space.
Why is it hard for me to control my emotions or concentrate?
One of the most important areas of the cerebral cortex is the prefrontal cortex, located right behind your forehead. This part is in charge of what we call executive functions: controlling impulses, making decisions, organizing tasks, thinking before actingâ¦
During adolescence, this area is not yet fully developed. In fact, it does not finish maturing until after age 20. That’s why it’s normal to sometimes get carried away by your feelings, or to find it hard to get organized or keep your attention focused. The good news is that all of this can be trained.
How to train the cerebral cortex during adolescence
Training your brain is just as important as training your body. Here are some very useful strategies that are easy to put into practice:
- Getting enough sleep: the teenage brain needs between 8 and 10 hours of sleep. Sleeping well improves attention, memory, and emotional management.
- Breathing before acting: pausing for 3 seconds to breathe before speaking or acting helps you activate your prefrontal cortex and avoid being carried away by impulses.
- Putting what you’ve learned into words: explaining out loud what you have understood strengthens your neural networks. Talking helps you think better.
- Taking active breaks: standing up, stretching, moving your body, or even doing a short dance routine can help recharge your attention.
- Playing strategy or memory games: games like UNO, Dobble, or Palabrea are not only fun, they also stimulate functions such as attention, inhibitory control, and mental flexibility.
You can also imagine that you are training your “brain muscle” every time you do something that is difficult for you: facing an exam, presenting in class, controlling your nerves, or resisting the temptation to check your phone while studying.
What happens in the brain when we face a challenge?
When you are about to speak in public, take an exam, or face something that makes you nervous, it is normal for your hands to sweat and your mouth to feel dry. There is a brain-based explanation for this.
The amygdala becomes activated, a part of the limbic system in charge of detecting danger (real or imagined). Once activated, the brain tries to save resources: it temporarily shuts down digestion and other non-urgent functions. Since digestion begins in the mouth (with saliva), the mouth becomes dry. You can counter this with deep breathing, drinking a little water, or trying to relax your body.
In summary
- The cerebral cortex is key to the development of your intellectual and emotional abilities.
- Gray matter contains the network of neurons that form your ideas, memories, and decisions.
- During adolescence, the cerebral cortex is under full development: that explains many of your behaviors⦠and gives you room to improve.
- You can train your cerebral cortex with simple habits such as sleeping well, taking breaks, putting what you learn into words, and playing with intention.
- Getting to know your brain helps you understand yourself better, improve your learning, and make better decisions.