Dr. Bonnie Halpern Felsher: Vaping, Alcohol Use Other Risky Youth Behaviors

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Bonnie HalpernFelsher, PhD, FSAHM. She is a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine and a developmental psychologist at Stanford University School of Medicine. Dr. HalpernFelsher is a world expert in adolescent decisionmaking and risktaking behaviors. She explains the huge increase in vaping (ecigarettes) by young people. She explains why vaping nicotine and cannabis is particularly dangerous to the developing brain. We discuss the rise in vaping addiction, the unique social pressures and social media influences faced by youth that make quitting challenging, and interventions to aid them in quitting or reducing use. We also discuss the role of technology and social media. And, the use of alcohol, nicotine pouches, fentanyl, and other risky behaviors that adolescents face now. This episode should interest parents, teachers, coaches, teens, and families. It covers the current youth substance use landscape and also covers resources and ways to