In today’s fast-paced world, we often forget to take care of one of the most important organs in our body—our brain. But did you know that you can actually rewire your brain to improve your mental well-being? 🤯 Yes, you heard that right! Neuroplasticity is a powerful concept that allows us to reshape our mental and emotional habits, just like we can shape our physical health.

Welcome to this week’s blog, inspired by an incredible episode from the Business Story of the Week, hosted by Joshua Lori. In this episode, we sat down with Kristen Gilliland, a PhD in organic chemistry and an advocate for mental health, to dive into the intersection between chemistry and mental health, with a focus on the power of neuroplasticity.

The Journey of Kristen Gilliland: From Tragedy to Advocacy

Kristen’s story is one of unimaginable loss and inspiring transformation. After her son’s struggle with mental health, exacerbated by high-potency cannabis use, Kristen found herself at the crossroads of tragedy. Her son’s accidental overdose in 2019 was a turning point in her life. She went from being a university professor to a fierce advocate for mental health awareness, especially for adolescents.

Now, Kristen serves as the Director of Outreach and Advocacy at the Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery. Her personal and professional journey blends her expertise in neurochemistry with her dedication to spreading awareness about the risks of substance use, particularly for teenagers whose brains are still developing.

Why Brain Health Equals Mental Health

Kristen’s work emphasizes the importance of brain health during adolescence, a critical time for shaping a person’s mental and emotional well-being. We often hear about the importance of physical health—keeping our heart and lungs healthy—but rarely do we talk about how to keep our brain healthy. That’s where neuroplasticity comes in! 🌱

Neuroplasticity refers to the brain’s ability to reorganize its connections based on our thoughts, environment, and experiences. This ability is strongest during adolescence, making it a crucial time for forming healthy mental habits.

How Can We Rewire Our Brains?

Kristen explained a 90-second rule that stuck with me. When someone triggers an emotional response—whether it’s anger or anxiety—your brain releases neurochemicals, which flood your system for about 90 seconds. After that, the chemicals dissipate. If you’re still angry or anxious after 90 seconds, it’s because you keep replaying that thought. 🧠

The good news? You can stop the cycle! By recognizing your emotional triggers and practicing mindfulness, you can weaken those negative connections and replace them with more positive, self-compassionate ones.

Substance Use and Adolescence: A Tough Conversation

One of the toughest but most important parts of Kristen’s advocacy is addressing the impact of high-potency cannabis on adolescents. The data is clear: teens who use high-potency cannabis are 11 times more likely to develop psychotic disorders. 😱 While cannabis use is becoming more normalized, the risks for developing brains are far too significant to ignore.

Kristen’s message is simple: we’re not demonizing cannabis, but we need to be aware of its effects, especially on young people. If we want to have a serious conversation about legalization, we need to start with education.

What Can We Do as Parents and Caregivers?

Kristen offers practical advice for parents: talk to your teens! Teach them about brain health and neuroplasticity. Help them develop an “escape plan” if they’re ever in a situation where they feel pressured to use substances. And most importantly, listen to them. As Kristen says, “If I could go back, I would have listened a lot more.”

Parents and teens alike need to take breaks from their phones, connect in real life, and practice mindfulness. It’s the little things—like family dinners without screens—that can make a big difference in a child’s mental health.

Final Thoughts

Kristen’s story is a powerful reminder that we all have the ability to shape our mental health. Whether it’s through practicing mindfulness, rewiring our brains with neuroplasticity, or having honest conversations about substance use, we can all take steps to improve our emotional resilience. 💪

If you’d like to learn more about Kristen’s work and her advocacy for brain health, you can visit Warren Center for Neuroscience Drug Discovery and watch her film “Speaking Through Me,” which educates adolescents about their developing brains.

Let’s take care of our minds—because a healthy brain equals a healthy life! 🧠💚