Brain activation to negative stimuli mediates a relationship between adolescent marijuana use and later emotional functioning

Abstract Adolescent marijuana use and emotional functioning across time points were examined. Resiliency increased in controls but not heavy marijuana users across time points. Negative emotionality decreased in controls but not heavy marijuana users across time points. Heavy marijuana users had blunted brain activity to negative words relative to controls. Brain activity mediated the effect of marijuana use on later emotional functioning. Article type: Research Article Keywords: Cannabis, fMRI, Emotion, Mediation, Insula, Amygdala Authors: Mary M. Heitzeg, Lora M. Cope,