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Biology

Synaptic Pruning and Its Role in Adolescent Brain Refinement

Quick fact

Between ages 2 and 10, the brain produces up to 30,000 new synapses per second, creating a dense surplus. Then, during adolescence, the brain selectively eliminates about 20-40% of these synapses, a process called synaptic pruning.

Why this is interesting

During adolescence, your brain is physically shrinking in some areas—but that's not a bad thing. In fact, it's the brain's way of becoming faster and sharper.