# Endocannabinoid System Clinical Research: 2024 RCT Review > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-2024/ > **Published:** 2026-03-17T07:25:18-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:06:12-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore digital mental health intervention cannabis research with 2024 RCT insights on Minder app effectiveness for university student mental health. --- #### Clinical Takeaway A randomized controlled trial tested the Minder mobile app, co-developed with university students, to address mental health and substance use challenges during the college transition period. Digital tools like this are being studied because they can reach large student populations at low cost and are generally well accepted by young adults. ### #5 Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial. **Citation:** Vereschagin Melissa et al. *Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile Mental Health and Substance Use Intervention for University Students: Randomized Controlled Trial.* Journal of medical Internet research. 2024. PMID: 38536225. **Study type:** Randomized Controlled Trial, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov’t  |  **Topic area:** Anxiety & PTSD  |  **CED Score:** 12 Design: 5 Journal: 0 N: 3 Recency: 1 Pop: 2 Human: 1 Risk: 0 **Abstract:** BACKGROUND: University attendance represents a transition period for students that often coincides with the emergence of mental health and substance use challenges. Digital interventions have been identified as a promising means of supporting students due to their scalability, adaptability, and acceptability. Minder is a mental health and substance use mobile app that was codeveloped with university students. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the Minder mobile app in improving mental health and substance use outcomes in a general population of university students. METHODS: A 2-arm, parallel-assignment, single-blinded, 30-day randomized controlled trial was used to evaluate Minder using intention-to-treat analysis. In total, 1489 participants were recruited and randomly assigned to the intervention (n=743, 49.9%) or waitlist control (n=746, 50.1%) condition. The Minder app delivers evidence-based content through an automated chatbot and connects participants with services and university social groups. Participants are also assigned a trained peer coach to support them. The primary outcomes were measured through in-app self-assessments and included changes in general anxiety symptomology, depressive symptomology, and alcohol consumption risk measured using the 7-item General [Anxiety Disorder](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-adolescent-psychiatric-risk-data-study/) scale, 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire, and US Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption Scale, respectively, from baseline to 30-day follow-up. Secondary outcomes included measures related to changes in the frequency of substance use (cannabis, alcohol, opioids, and nonmedical stimulants) and mental well-being. Generalized linear mixed-effects models were used to examine each outcome. RESULTS: In total, 79.3% (589/743) of participants in the intervention group and 83% (619/746) of participants in the control group completed the follow-up survey. The intervention group had significantly greater average reductions in anxiety symptoms measure  |   |  [View on PubMed ↗](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38536225/)[Full Text ↗](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11007604/)[DOI ↗](https://doi.org/10.2196/54287) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. 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[Read the RCT Evidence](https://cedclinic.com/minder-mobile-mental-health-intervention-rct-evidence/) [Digital Mental Health Intervention: Cannabis Clinical Research Insights](https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-insights/) Insights into how digital interventions are shaping cannabis [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) for [mental health support](https://cedclinic.com/social-support-substance-use-stigmatized-populations/). [Explore Research Insights](https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-insights/) [Effectiveness of the Minder Mobile App for Student Mental Health](https://cedclinic.com/minder-mobile-mental-health-rct-student-support/) Study results on the Minder app effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes for university students. [See Study Results](https://cedclinic.com/minder-mobile-mental-health-rct-student-support/) Have thoughts on this? 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