Brains Build, Not Break: Development Extends into the 30s, Not a 25-Year Cutoff

New neuroscience shows brain maturation continues into the early 30s as neural networks become more efficient; the classic 'finish at 25' myth arose from earlier gray-matter studies and datasets ending around age 20, but latest research on white matter reveals ongoing segregation and integration until about 32. There is no magic switch at 25—adulthood is a prolonged construction zone, and you can support brain health through aerobic exercise, learning new skills, and cognitively challenging activities while minimizing chronic stress.