Drugs, the Brain, and Young People: Science Week Kicks Off at the University

More than 180 students from Navarre—from the Luis Amigó high school , the María Inmaculada CIP, the Padre Moret Irubide IES, the Basoko IES, St. Patrick’s English School, and the Julio Caro Baroja IES—took part this morning in the opening of Science Week. Attendees were able to enjoy various experiments in biology, Chemistry, physics, and microbiology —among others—as well as the day’s lecture titled “How Drugs Hook You: Discover What Happens in Your Brain.”

Elena Puerta, a full professor at the School of Pharmacy and Nutrition, spoke during the session about the effects of drugs on the brain’s “ development ” and warned of the common characteristic of these substances: they are addictive. “Addictive substances and activities activate the pleasure pathway. The brain interprets anything that increases dopamine as good for me, which is why I repeat the action,” she explained.

The professor has emphasized a key point that young people should keep in mind:“The brain is still developing during youth.” According to Puerta, the frontal cortex—the part of the brain that en financial aid s us to make rational decisions—does not fully develop until after the age of 25, which is why it is so important to be aware of the harmful effects that this subject of substances has on the body.

Puerta also pointed out that alcohol, as a drug, is more socially accepted than others, even though young people do not see the damage it causes to their livers or the addiction it creates. “People always say the typical phrase, ‘I’m in control,’ but no one can control the brain,” he added.

Throughout this week, middle and high school students are expected to high school diploma take part in the various organized activities. Upcoming lectures will cover One Health, the Chemistry and color, artificial intelligence, and Alzheimer’s disease.