Now we know why...

Teenage mood swing hormone found

Teenage mood swings are known to be down to hormones, but scientists claim they have identified the specific one that makes adolescents so volatile.
A team from the State University of New York identified a hormone which normally acts to calm anxiety, but the effect is reversed in adolescence.

And they add the study should help parents and teachers understand teens.

A hormone called THP is normally released in response to stress.

It usually behaves like a tranquiliser, acting at sites in the brain that calm brain activity and, in adults and pre-pubescent children, helps someone cope with stress.

But a mouse study by the New York team shows THP actually increases anxiety at puberty.

'Things are harder for teenagers'

They found that the target for the hormone, a specific receptor, is more prevalent in the part of the brain which regulates emotion during puberty.

This appears to reverse the normal calming effect.

...

"As adults, we just deal with things, but it is harder for teenagers because of their biology. I think it's important for people to know that."

Heh Heh.

The full article at: TEEN HORMONES