Inside Out 2: A Berkeley Professor Explains the Science
Let's be real, folks. Inside Out 2 blew our minds, right? But what's the science behind it all? Turns out, there's a real-life brain expert who can help us understand this whole "Joy and Sadness in a Teenager" thing.
Meet Dr. Alice Fremont, a cognitive neuroscience professor at UC Berkeley. She's been studying the brain for years, and she's got some pretty cool insights about what we saw in the movie.
The Teenage Brain: It's a Wild Ride
Remember how Riley's emotions were all over the place in Inside Out 2? That's not just a movie thing, Dr. Fremont says. It's actually based on real science. The teenage brain is going through a major remodeling project, with new connections and pathways forming all the time.
Think of it like this: You're building a house, but the architects keep changing the blueprints. It's gonna be awesome in the end, but it's messy in the meantime.
Why Joy and Sadness Are Best Buds
One of the coolest things about Inside Out 2 was how Joy and Sadness worked together. Dr. Fremont explains that this is actually how our brains are wired, too. Emotions aren't just good or bad; they all have a purpose. Sadness, for example, helps us process loss and move on. Joy, on the other hand, helps us connect with others and find meaning in life.
"It's like two sides of the same coin," says Dr. Fremont. "We need both to be happy and healthy."
What Inside Out 2 Gets Right About Teenagers
The movie did an awesome job of showing how teenagers are trying to figure out who they are. They're grappling with new feelings, new experiences, and a whole lot of change. And, like Riley, they're often feeling lost and confused.
But Inside Out 2 also showed that it's okay to feel this way. It's part of growing up. And with the right support, we can all navigate these emotional challenges and come out stronger on the other side.
The Takeaway: We're All in this Together
Inside Out 2 might be a movie, but it's also a reminder that we're all in this together. We all have emotions, and we all go through tough times. But by understanding ourselves better, we can learn to cope with our emotions in a healthy way.
So next time you're feeling overwhelmed, remember Riley and her awesome team of emotions. They're all there to help you through it, just like Dr. Fremont and all the amazing brain scientists out there.