Values + decision-making
Give an example of a value and how it could impact a decision you make.
[open-ended]
True or false: you can definitely believe what social media influencers have to say about improving your health
Remember the stroop test, where we timed how long Dylan and Ben took to read the color of the words that were shown on the screen? What part of the brain did they have to use to successfully complete this task?
Prefrontal cortex
True or false: alcohol is a carcinogen; it causes cancer, similar to cigarettes.
True.
___% of Hilltown 8th graders report using cannabis.
A. 10% B. 8% C. 4% D. 0%
D. 0%. No Hilltown 8th graders report using cannabis.
Your peers at school all wear baggy jeans, and now you want to wear baggy jeans. This is an example of ________________.
Social influence
What percentage of adults have health literacy in the United States?
A. 5% B. 10% C. 15% D. 20%
B. 10% (the vast majority of Americans are unable to find, understand, and use information and services to benefit their own health)
Over time, substance use __________ the amount of naturally occurring dopamine in your brain, and it becomes less fun to do things that used to make you happy (like go to the movies, have dinner out with your famiy).
decreases
Liquor has _____ alcohol than wine; wine has _____ alcohol than beer.
More, more
Caffeine can interfere with ______, which is why it's advised to avoid energy drinks and other caffeinated drinks in the afternoon and evening. What are two other negative consequences of consuming too much caffeine?
sleep; tachycardia, high blood pressure, moodiness, headache, anxiety, tremors/shaking, upset stomach, dehydration, arrhythmias
Give an example of 1. how your amygdala could lead you to make a bad decision; and 2. how your prefrontal cortex could lead you to make a good decision.
[open-ended]
What was the point of the "heard it through the grapevine" activity?
The point was to see how word of mouth can lead us astray, and the importance of finding reputable, reliable sources of information.
You're doomscrolling youtube shorts, and can't stop. The reason you can't stop is because you're getting nonstop hits of ___________.
Dopamine
No -- it's a depressant.
Why are energy drinks discouraged for teens under 18 years old?
What is one thing that we learned about that can make it hard for teens to make good decisions?
Social/peer influence, developing brain
What are two things you can do to improve your health literacy?
Work on your communication skills/ask questions/be honest; understand your own health and family history; educate yourself using reliable sources of information
Brain stem
What are three things you can do to reduce the risk of harm from drinking alcohol?
Don't drink and find a way to say "no" that works for you! Knowing how much alcohol is in the drink you're drinking, eating beforehand, avoid going to places where teen drinking is happening, do NOT drive after drinking and do NOT get in a car with someone who has been drinking, don't use alone or with strangers (and don't leave your drink!), offer to be the sober friend, make a plan and have someone to call in the event drinking does take place or you need help, do NOT mix substances, don't engage in risky behaviors
What are two things that make cannabis particularly risky these days?
Increased potency (or THC levels), different forms or cannabis on the market and the delayed impact of edibles, misperceptions about it's impact on things like mental health and sleep, increased availability of legal cannabis products
How can you stop yourself from making an impulsive decision?
Use the DECIDE model; use your prefrontal cortex; find a way to take some space from the situation and have a minute to yourself to think.
Which of the following are reputable sources of unbiased information:
What are two reasons why teen brains are particularly susceptible to drug and alcohol addiction?
Less developed prefrontal cortex, super strong hit of dopamine in response to substances, nature of developing brain/neuroplasticity means that addiction pathways can become very strong in youth brains.
Only ___% of 8th graders at Hilltown report drinking, which means that the overwhelming majority of 8th graders do NOT drink.
5%
How much caffeine is safe for youth under 12 to consume? How much caffeine is safe for youth 12-18 years old?
Caffeine is not safe for kids under 12; 100 mg/day for youth 12-18 years old.