Here at Brains On, we answer your questions. And over the years, we've answered lots of them. Here's my question. I was wondering, my question is, what is the science behind why what happens if you what does that mean? Over the years, we've answered hundreds of questions. Everything from what's at the edge of the universe to why is sugar so delicious? But there's one topic our listeners ask about that we haven't covered yet. What is puberty and why do we get puberty? What is the science behind puberty and hormones? That's right. My question is, what happens to our bodies when we go through puberty? And we want to know why we go through puberty. What happens to boys and girls' bodies when we go through puberty and why do we have to go through puberty in the first place? So that's why we're making puberty, puberty, puberty, puberty, puberty. The podcast. We're making a special eight episode show called Brains on Universe Presents, Puberty, the podcast. You can subscribe wherever you listen. Over the next few weeks, we're going to play some excerpts from the series for you here. These samples cover stuff like how hormones help us grow, how they change our skin, things that's, and how they affect our moods. We picked topics that should be appropriate for everyone interested in how bodies grow. During puberty, for the first time, we're wondering what an audience of imaginary observers would think of our actions. And teens who know what puberty is like. I don't know how many people have had puppies, but there is a time where they clearly become the big dog. And I think that's the best way I can really describe it. It's just the way it is. It's just the way it is. It's just the way it is. It's just the way it is. And I think that's the best way I can really describe it. It's just one day you feel older, you get a little taller, and you become a bigger dog. If you like what you hear, find Brains on Universe Presents, Puberty, the podcast, and subscribe to hear the whole series. Okay, on with the show. I'm your host, Molly Bloom, and my co-host today is Lulu. Hi, Lulu. Hello. Do you want to say how we're related? Um, you're my mom. I am. And how old are you? I'm 10. Freshly 10. Just turn 10. Happy birthday. Thank you. So the rest of the episodes in this series are actually going to be co-hosted by teenagers, but we thought it made sense to start with the two of us, a mother, daughter duo, because we know a lot of puberty talk starts at home. We've definitely been talking about it in our home. So let's kick off the series by defining puberty. Puberty is when your body starts changing from a kid's body into a more grown-up one. Lulu, do you remember when we first started talking about puberty? Yeah, probably. Like, was it a long time ago? Yeah, like when I was like four, I remember I sang about tampons. That's true. You did. You wrote a song about tampons way back then. So we definitely have some puberty books at home. Have you read any of them yet? I'm always like to look at the pictures in Giggle. Do you talk about puberty with your friends? Gosh, yes. Do you look at the puberty books with your friends? Gosh, yes. Gosh, yes. We really do. So what comes to mind when you hear the word puberty? Periods. Periods, yep. Definitely part of it. Anything else? Like stinky armpits. Stinky armpits, absolutely. What else? Armpit hair. Armpit hair, that's definitely one. Would you say that your friends like talking about puberty as much as you do? Yes, definitely. Do you talk about what's happening to you personally, or is it more kind of like just generally talking about puberty? We sometimes do, not really though. It's more just have you gotten your period? No, no, no, no. And like, deodorant talk. Yeah, like what kind of deodorant do you use? Puberty is a time of big change, but it helps to remember your body is always changing. Think about it, Lulu. When you were first born, you couldn't walk or talk or use the toilet. I didn't have very much hair. I couldn't eat solid food. I didn't even have any teeth. Since then, you've gotten a whole set of baby teeth, and you're about halfway through losing those and replacing them with grown-up teeth, right? Yeah, pretty much. And your body will keep changing as long as you're alive. I've changed a lot since you were born too. In fact, even adults go through big changes sometimes. Yeah, I've heard you and your friends talk about new chin hairs, itchy ears, and feeling hot all the time. Indeed. Puberty is just one period of big change in your life. Kids grow a lot during puberty, and they also go through changes that make it possible for them to eventually have kids of their own. But it's not just your body that changes during puberty. Your brain goes through changes too, as that rewires to become more like an adult brain. It's like your whole body is under construction. But it's also a totally normal part of growing up, like how teething is a totally normal part of being a baby. But you know how no-two people have the same fingerprints? No-two people go through it the exact same way. It's different for everyone. We're going to do our best to talk about what kids can expect during puberty, but the most important thing to remember is that your experience will be unique to you. How you feel about puberty will be unique to you too. So Lulu, how do you feel about puberty? Honestly, I think it's pretty funny. Yeah, there are definitely some funny things about it. So what parts of puberty are you excited about, if any? Like, I really like smelling deodorant. Deodorant does smell really good. Do you have any worries about puberty? Not really. I mean, like maybe like I won't go through it the same time as my friends, or like that I'll get my period in a really weird place, like a cafe or something. Totally, yes. Who knows? Yeah, I feel like those are super normal worries that you'll feel different than your friends, right? Or that something will happen that you can't control super normal things to worry about. Some of you listening might feel really excited about puberty, and some of you might feel nervous, or both. But remember, you're not in it alone. Stop for a second and think of an adult you really trust. That can be a parent, teacher, counselor, coach, cousin, aunt or uncle, grandparent, or sibling. That adult you're picturing, they want to help. So hit them up with your questions. Tell them what you're feeling. They've been through it, and they'll likely be more than happy to pass on what they've learned. In this series, we're going to hear from teens sharing their experiences too. Here's how some of them felt when they first started going through puberty. I remember all the boys started talking in deeper voices, and it seemed like mine wasn't dropping at the same rate. So I think that sometimes it felt like people were performing. When I was in eighth grade, all of my other friends had already gone their periods, and I hadn't, and I felt really left out. I think that's a really common experience. Adults tell you this when you're growing up, but not everything is going to happen at the same time as all of your friends. When I was going through puberty, my ego was off the charts, and honestly, I think a lot of it was rooted in not feeling comfortable about who I was. I have body hair, and a lot of people do, and I got really nervous about how I was seen if I like, wasn't shaved or had like a little mustache on my lip. And I realized that the people who I love and who love me really don't care, and they think I'm beautiful with my body hair and without it. It's not a requirement to shave. You just heard from Leo, Serena, Louie, and Sophia. In some ways, they're experts on puberty because they went through it not too long ago. No matter how you feel about puberty, we think that understanding the science behind it is a good way to get prepared. So let's start with our first big question. Why does it happen? The short answer, hormones. So hormones are chemical messengers, our body makes them, and our body sends them from one place to another to do their job. That's Dr. Cara Natterson. She's a pediatrician who's written lots of books about puberty, including the care and keeping a view. She also makes a podcast about puberty for grown-ups called This Is So Awkward. Like she said, hormones are chemicals that our bodies make, and they're super important because they make sure your body knows what to do and when to do it. There are all kinds of hormones in our body all the time, even right now, like insulin. That controls our blood sugar levels. Melatonin. That helps us sleep. And adrenaline. Which kicks in when we're stressed out. Our body makes over 50 different kinds of hormones. And the hormones that are most involved with puberty are the sex hormones, namely estrogen and progesterone and testosterone, and every single person has all of these sex hormones. Really what's happening during puberty is these hormones are rising and falling and rising and falling. And in some bodies it's more estrogen and progesterone, and in some bodies it's more testosterone. So think about it. During puberty you have all these hormones rising and falling, rising and falling, over and over. No wonder it can feel a little like a roller coaster. You've always had sex hormones, but your body usually made them in smaller amounts, and they were slow and steady. But during puberty they start to go up and down at a much faster speed. Woo hoo! Yay! The ups and downs can feel confusing when you're in the middle of them, but those ups and downs are a sign your body is starting to change. It's the signaling that happens when they rise and fall and rise and fall in these very dramatic ways that impact everything from how thick your vocal cords are to how your bones grow. In the next few episodes we'll get into the nitty gritty about how these hormones change you. For some it's mostly a smooth ride, for others it can be a little bumpy. Once these hormones start to level out, or once they start to get into very regular rhythms, that is when puberty has ended. So whether your arms are up in the air, you're screaming with glee, or you're gripping the safety bar with your eyes shut tight, the hormone roller coaster ride you're on will eventually come to an end. But like, how long will it take to come to the end? That's a great question that we'll answer in just a minute. Do you have more questions about puberty? Send them to us. We're doing a special episode to answer your most burning questions. Is there a topic you want to know more about? Advice for body stuff or friend stuff? Get in touch. Send your questions to BrainsOn.org slash Contact and they might be featured in our special episode. That's BrainsOn.org slash Contact. Thanks! Today's episode is sponsored by Great Wolf Lodge. At Great Wolf Lodge there's adventure for the whole family. You and your pack can splash away in the indoor water park where it's always 84 degrees. There's a massive wave pool, a lazy river, and tons of water slides for your pack to enjoy together. And the fun doesn't stop there. Get ready to explore and play at adventure-packed attractions from MagiQuest, a live-action game that takes place throughout the lodge to the Northern Lights Arcade. There's also a bunch of great dining options and complimentary daily events like nightly dance parties all under one roof. And the best part? With 22 lodges across the country, you're always only a short drive away from adventure. So bring your pack together at a lodge near you. Book your stay today at GreatWolf.com and strengthen the pack. This is BrainsOn.org presents Puberty, the podcast. I'm Lulu. And I'm Molly. So far we've heard there are bodies make all sorts of hormones all the time. There's special chemicals that help our bodies know what to do and when to do it. During puberty, the levels of some of your hormones, particularly estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, they go through big ups and downs in your body. That tells your body that it's time to start changing from a kid to an adult. You'll learn lots more about those changes in the coming episodes. But how long does it take for puberty to happen? When will it start? And when will it be over? Here's our pediatrician friend, Cara, again, with a really important message. I have this little saying that I made up many years ago. There is no one normal and there is no one normal. That's my little description of puberty. So what do you think she means by that, Lulu? There's not one normal way to go through puberty. There's not one person who's normal. Yeah, everyone is different. That idea is so important. We wanted to make sure everyone got it. So remember, when it comes to puberty, there's no one normal and no one normal. Everyone's experience is going to be different. There's no one normal time to start or to end, or one normal way to go through it, which is why I don't use the word normal almost ever. But there is a range of expected timing for puberty, and it has shifted over time. Most physicians, most pediatricians expect to see kids entering puberty sometime as early as seven or eight and as late as 12 or 13. And it can be really anywhere in there, although the vast majority have entered puberty by the time they are nine, if they are girls, and by the time they are 10, if they are boys. So if it can happen to you at all these different times, how do you know if you started going through puberty? One of the first changes you might notice is a change in how you're feeling. Moodyness is the first emotional sign of puberty. We are talking big feelings that can change quickly. Most of the physical changes of puberty are pretty subtle at first, but the moodiness can be easier to notice. Lulu, what does it feel like for you when you're moody? Every other way of being an enemy? Or it's weird to be happy? And that you shouldn't be happy? It's weird. Yeah, maybe you're like, how do I get back into happy mode? Yes, I'm like, how do I get back into happy mode? Then I get crazy. Do you feel like your moods go up and down pretty fast? Yes, I'm like, oh, hi, hello. So now when you're feeling like you need some space or you're feeling angry, what do you do? I just yell at my parents. What? Yell at me? Yeah, what else do you do? Like when you need space, what do you do? I watch TV. Yeah, TV's a good little reset. When I was going through it, my moodiness was more like, I just wanted to play Tetris on my Game Boy and not talk to anyone. Everybody's different. We're going to be talking a lot more about these physical and emotional changes in the series, lots of details about your brains and your bodies. And we said it earlier in this episode, but we're going to say it again. There's no one normal and no one normal. We're also going to do a special episode answering even more puberty questions from our listeners. So if you have questions you'd like to hear us tackle, send them to us at brainson.org slash contact. That's it for this episode of Brains On Universe presents puberty, the podcast. This episode was written by me, Molly Bloom, and produced by Rosie DuPont. It was edited by Sandin Totten and Shay Lafarzon. We had engineering help from Jackson V at Soft Cult Studios, was sound designed by Mark Sanchez, and fact checking by Mim Schaefer and Dr. Karen Aderson. Our original theme music was made by Mark Sanchez, and the series was executive produced by me, Molly Bloom. A special thank you to Paige McLeod and the Spark Ed team, Erica Pass at Sex, etc. Nora Gelbrant and Brittany McBride from Advocates for Youth, Chris Pepper and Mim Schaefer from SFUSD, Tim McLeod, Aaron Walsh from Spark and Stitch, Josh Turner and Sanjay Moses from Marin Academy, and Dr. Karen Aderson and the Less Awkward team. If you want to support this kind of programming for kids, you can join SmartyPass. You get ad-free feeds of Brains On, Smash Boom Best, and Forever Ago, and you can support smart shows for curious kids. Just head to SmartyPass.org to show your support. Thank you so much. Join us next week when we explore our next big puberty topic, hair, sweat, and pimples. Now it's time for the Brains Honor Roll. These are the incredible kids who keep the show going with their questions, ideas, mystery sounds, drawings, and high fives. Lillian from Seattle, Christopher from Melbourne, Australia, Emmett from Willamina, Oregon, Romy from Tokoroa, New Zealand, Kelsey from Franklin, Tennessee, Rowan from Double Oak, Texas, Asher from Tyler, Texas, Monroe from Memphis, Tennessee, Violet from Detroit, Michigan, Moyi from Medina, Washington, Florence from Athens, Ohio, Edith from Honolulu, Agi from Edmunds, Washington, Elliott from Wheaton, Illinois, Adriel and Theo from Chicago, Eliana from St. Louis, Carson from South Jordan, Utah, Henry from Quezon City, Philippines, Sumi from Champaign, Illinois, Max from Verona, New Jersey, Oliver and Addison from Salem, Oregon, Anthony and Bridget from Cleveland, Ohio, Robin and Mae from Crestrow Valley, California, Lydia from New York City, Michelle from Odenton, Maryland, Eurydice from Bronx, New York, Oakland from Lutchfield Park, Arizona, Teddy from Surprise, Arizona, Nico from South Bend, Indiana, Ida from Hillsdale, New York, Elias and Elena from Elvison, Pennsylvania, Ellie and Kaya from Portland, Oregon, Ellie from Brandon, South Dakota, Alex from Silver Spring, Maryland, Herron from Arlington, Virginia, Penelope from La Mesa, California, Elliott and Reuben from Andover, Vermont, Olivia from New York City, Danny from Wellington, Delaware, Ivor from South Taylor, British Columbia, Elly and Everett from Rossland, British Columbia, Pearl from Arcadelphia, Arkansas, Samana from Seanburg, Illinois, Amelia and Jimmy from Playdoll, Minnesota, Elly from Plano, Texas, Julian from Taipei, Taiwan, Penelope and Josie from Big Sur, California, Eliza from Winston, Salem, North Carolina, Alice and Willow from Palestine, Texas, Selah from Algonquin, Illinois, Alice from Ross, California, and Nico from Decatur, Georgia, Selah and Ezra from Neeland, California, Isla from Melbourne, Australia, Ben from Hopewell, New Jersey, Gray from Bowmanville, Ontario, Keara from Temecula, California, Chloe from Sydney, Australia, Kurt from Charlottesville, Virginia, Henry from Washington, DC, and Kate from San Francisco. Thanks for listening!
