TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The development of the brain during adolescence is a crucial stage and vulnerable to various external influences, especially harmful habits such as smoking and alcohol consumption. These habits not only pose risks to the physical health of the brain, but also seriously impact the functioning of the brain during its developmental stage.
Adolescent Brain Development and Vulnerability
The adolescent brain is not yet fully developed; this process is only completed around the age of 25. Tan Shan-Shan, a Neurology Services Consultant at the KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH), stated that there is increasing scientific evidence showing that brain development continues into adulthood.
"This slow and steady process allows the brain to change and build new connections as experiences accumulate and new skills are learned, including how we respond to physical and cognitive demands in the surrounding environment," she said as reported by CNA on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
Tan explained that brain maturation is related to the development of connections, structure, and function. One of the ways is by increasing the number of neurons to form complex nerve pathways. This process, including neurocircuitry, allows the brain to process information and control behavior.
The human brain continues to develop until the mid-twenties, especially in the prefrontal cortex area. Dr. Yeo Tong Hong, a senior pediatrician and child neurologist at Parkway East Hospital, said this is the area responsible for decision-making, self-control, and the learning process.
"This is where many high-level cognitive and executive functions, including decision-making, planning, emotional regulation, attention and impulse control, personality and social behavior, including stress management, are located," Yeo said.
How Smoking and Alcohol Affect the Brain Maturation Process
During adolescence, the prefrontal cortex area is still very susceptible to the influence of harmful substances such as nicotine and alcohol. Early exposure to these substances can disrupt the formation of nerve pathways, resulting in disrupted cognitive and emotional functions.
Consultant at the KKJ Adolescent Medicine Services, Juliet Tan Sher Kit, stated that the prefrontal cortex is still in the maturation stage, so certain substances can interfere with its development. "This can lead to difficulties in learning, processing thoughts, and controlling impulses," she said.
The adolescent brain is highly susceptible to the influence of certain substances. Tan Shan-Shan exemplified the administration of etomidate, a sedative drug whose effects can reduce the levels of the sleep precursor serotonin and increase the neurotransmitter GABA that enhances relaxation. As a result, adolescents may experience anxiety, sleep disturbances, and panic attacks.
Furthermore, negative substances such as alcohol can interfere with communication between brain cells, thus affecting balance, memory, speech ability, and decision-making. When consuming alcohol, the brain does not function optimally, increasing the risk of injury and accidents. If consumed continuously in large amounts, alcohol can damage brain structure, including shrinking nerve cells, which impairs thinking and memory abilities.
For teenagers, the danger of alcohol is greater than for adults because their brains are still developing. Alcohol consumption can disrupt this development process and cause long-term changes in brain function. As a result, future learning abilities, emotional control, and behavior may be affected.
Long-term repeated alcohol consumption causes permanent damage to the brain's structure and function. The brain has difficulty performing its main tasks, while self-control is disrupted, making it difficult to stop consumption despite being aware of the consequences. In the short term, alcohol also reduces the ability to think and make decisions. When drunk, a person may feel confused, lose balance, and have decreased self-control. If consumption continues, the condition can worsen to the point of losing consciousness or even falling into a coma. High levels of alcohol in the blood can be fatal without prompt treatment.
Putri Safira Pitaloka contributed to the writing of this article.
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