Neurodirectives

04/20/2026

Did you know social media platforms are deliberately designed to exploit the adolescent brain?
Variable reward systems — the same mechanism behind slot machines — trigger dopamine-based learning that keeps kids anticipating the next hit of content. This isn’t accidental. It’s engineered. And it’s especially powerful in teenagers, whose brains are still developing.
The result: anxiety, depression, self-harm, compulsive use, and eating disorders.
AB 1709 creates a necessary pause on addictive social media until age 16 — when adolescents are better equipped to engage safely. On April 16th I testified before California’s Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee in support of this bill.
As a neuropsychologist and a mother, I am asking you to share this. Talk about it. Write to your representatives.
Children are dying. We have to lead in this space.

04/20/2026

Did you know social media platforms are deliberately designed to exploit the adolescent brain?
Variable reward systems — the same mechanism behind slot machines — trigger dopamine-based learning that keeps kids anticipating the next hit of content. This isn’t accidental. It’s engineered. And it’s especially powerful in teenagers, whose brains are still developing.
The result: anxiety, depression, self-harm, compulsive use, and eating disorders.
AB 1709 creates a necessary pause on addictive social media until age 16 — when adolescents are better equipped to engage safely. On April 16th I testified before California’s Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee in support of this bill.
As a neuropsychologist and a mother, I am asking you to share this. Talk about it. Write to your representatives.
Children are dying. We have to lead in this space.

04/20/2026

On April 16th, I had the privilege of testifying before California’s Assembly Privacy & Consumer Protection Committee in support of AB 1709. I am Dr. Erica Kristzal Felsenthal — a licensed psychologist specializing in clinical and neuropsychology, and a board member of the Organization for Social Media Safety. And I am a mother of teenagers. In my practice, I see what these platforms are doing to our children. Cyberbullying. Sextortion. Grooming. Middle schoolers exposed to extreme po*******hy. Vapes and pills offered directly to teens through social media. I testified about how these platforms are engineered like slot machines — exploiting dopamine-based learning systems that are especially vulnerable in adolescents. The result: anxiety, depression, self-harm, compulsive use, and eating disorders. This is not opinion. It is supported by the U.S. Surgeon General, the American Psychological Association, and global research. AB 1709 creates a necessary pause on addictive social media until age 16 — when adolescents are better equipped to engage safely. I asked for an aye vote — not only as a psychologist, but as a mother who wants better for her children, and for yours. AB 1709 is authored by Asm. Josh Lowenthal, with co-authors Asm. David Alvarez, Asm. Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Asm. Bonta, Asm. Hoover, Asm. Patterson, and Asm. Wicks. As Chair Rebecca Bauer-Kahan said: “We have to continue to lead in this space. Children are dying.” The bill has a long way to go. Share this.

04/11/2026

Coachella is supposed to be fun.
A little preparation is what makes that actually true.

For teens:
Go. Have fun. Be with your friends.
Just don’t ignore the basics—
Water. Real shoes. A plan.
Stay with your people. Trust your instincts.
You’ll enjoy it a lot more when you feel good and stay safe.

For parents:
This isn’t about stopping them—it’s about setting them up.
Have the conversation:
Who are you with?
What’s the plan if you get separated?
How are you getting home?
Preparation gives them independence and protection.

Same goal for everyone:
A great weekend… and everyone gets home safely.

Save this. Send it. Talk about it.

© Dr. Erica Felsenthal

04/07/2026

Midlife changes can feel subtle at first—until they’re not.

What many women experience in their 40s and 50s isn’t just “aging,” it’s a shift in biology that affects the brain, metabolism, mood, and long-term health.

The good news is that this window is incredibly responsive to intervention.
The habits you build now meaningfully shape your cognitive and physical health for decades to come.

This isn’t about doing everything perfectly.
It’s about understanding what actually matters—and focusing your energy there.

Many women I work with are navigating not just the physical changes of midlife, but the emotional and psychological ones as well—stress, identity shifts, overwhelm, and the mental load that often comes with this phase.

If you’re looking for more structured support, I share practical tools and deeper guidance through my programs and resources. Link in bio.

Educational information only—please speak with your physician to determine what’s appropriate for your individual health and treatment needs.

04/06/2026

03/10/2026

In our field, we often talk about how real change rarely comes from dramatic overhauls—it comes from small, consistent shifts in how we think, respond, and relate to ourselves and others.

That’s why I’m so excited about my friend Dr. Elisha Goldstein’s new book, Tiny Shifts. Elisha has a remarkable ability to translate deep psychological and mindfulness-based principles into practical tools people can actually use in their everyday lives.

At a time when so many people are feeling overwhelmed by stress, the pace of life, and the constant stream of information around us, this message feels especially important.

Highly recommend adding this one to your reading list.
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼📚

02/14/2026

The Health and Human Relations Commission invites you to participate in Kindness Week Feb. 8-14.
The 6th activity is Social Media Challenge Day!
Share love & kindness.
Share with the community, someone who has shown you unconditional love.
Share things about yourself and how people can show YOU kindness.
Tag 5 friends

02/04/2026

Wildfires don’t just affect homes - they affect the nervous system.
From a polyvagal perspective, many post-fire reactions are survival responses, not personal failures. Regulation, safety, and connection come before motivation and joy.
Trauma healing is physiological as much as psychological - and support matters. After the fires, your nervous system may still be protecting you.
That doesn’t mean you’re stuck — it means you survived. Healing begins with safety, compassion, and time.

01/02/2026

Honored to have my New Year’s resolution featured in

As we step into 2026, I shared a reflection on showing up with intention, taking personal responsibility, and staying engaged in our community — values that continue to guide my work and leadership.

Grateful for local journalism that elevates community voices and meaningful conversation.

Here’s to a year of purpose, courage, and connection.

12/17/2025

So many people feel depleted right now — not because they’re doing something wrong, but because their nervous systems are carrying a heavy load. The news is overwhelming, the world feels uncertain, and on top of that we’re often expected to stay pleasant, grateful, and composed. That kind of sustained emotional regulation takes real energy. If you’re tired, flat, or foggy, it’s not a personal failure — it’s a human nervous system responding to chronic input and stress. A little less performance and a little more authenticity can go a long way right now.