“I can be a gentleman, anything you want. If I was your boyfriend, I’d never let you go.”

Those lyrics can create fan hysteria. “Bielievers” (Justin Bieber fans) are star struck once again. His BELIEVE album has topped the charts and  adds to his 15 million albums already sold since 2009. His hit, “Boyfriend (lyrics above) brings teen girls to tears, fainting and hysteria.

Let’s just say the kid is big! Really big, and has a following of swooners like those of Elvis and the Beatles. So is all this Bieber obsession good for teens?

It is safe to have a crush on a celebrity you will never meet and actually stimulates the brain the same way chocolate or other addictions do. According to researcher Daniel Levitin, musical tastes formed in the teen years become internally hard wired in the brain. This music then stimulates the release of the pleasure neurotransmitter, dopamine, giving the rush feeling that makes teen girls scream and cry over our boy Justin. And because teen girls are awakening to their feelings of romance, the Biebs can be a safe infatuation for budding sexuality.

Songs like, “If I was Your Boyfriend” play into girl’s fantasies of romance and love.

But can Bieber Fever go too far?

Yes, if it gets in the way of doing homework, developing real relationships and is fueled to ridiculous levels. I read that one mom spent huge amounts of money to send her daughter to a Bieber concert. The cost put the family in financial trouble. Definitely not a good choice in helping her daughter put some reality on the infatuation.

Teens need to learn balance in their lives and also understand the impact of commercialism and hype media throw at them. So while Bieber Fever may be in the brain, the obsession needs to be managed.  Parents, be sensible and talk to your teens about balance and infatuation. Some experts agree, at some point, your teen needs to give up the fantasy and operate in the real world. I’m trusting that most teens see the hype and can have a little fun with the infatuation, but move on with the rest of their lives.

So while Beiber Fever may all be in the brain, teen brains can still operate in reality. Infatuation is just a phase and real life romance much more challenging.