# Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Cannabis in Student Mental Health > **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-students/ > **Published:** 2026-03-04T21:37:07-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T17:09:56-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore digital mental health intervention students in a randomized trial addressing cannabis and substance use during university transition. --- #### Clinical Takeaway A randomized controlled trial tested the Minder mobile app, co-developed with university students, to address mental health and substance use concerns during the high-risk college transition period. Digital tools like this are being studied because they can reach large numbers of students who may not seek traditional clinical care. Results from this trial provide evidence-based guidance on whether app-based interventions can meaningfully improve outcomes in this population. ### #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 Why This Matters This randomized controlled trial evaluates a scalable digital intervention specifically designed for a high-risk population experiencing coincident mental health and substance use issues during a critical developmental period. The study’s findings on app-based intervention efficacy have direct implications for university health systems seeking to address the documented surge in student mental health and substance use disorders through accessible, technology-enabled treatment options. Demonstration of effectiveness could support implementation of evidence-based digital tools that extend care reach beyond traditional campus mental health services constrained by resource limitations. **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 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 Clinical Perspective This randomized controlled trial of a student-codeveloped mobile app addresses a genuine clinical need, as the university transition period does coincide with emerging mental health and substance use vulnerability. However, the available abstract is incomplete, limiting our ability to assess critical outcomes, effect sizes, and whether benefits extended to [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) specifically or only other substances. Mobile health interventions show promise for engagement and reach, yet questions remain about durability of behavioral change after app use ends, potential selection bias toward tech-savvy students, and whether digital support adequately addresses students requiring more intensive treatment. For clinicians advising college-age patients, this work suggests apps may serve as useful adjuncts to standard care and screening, but should not substitute for direct assessment of mental health and substance use trajectories, particularly in students with established [cannabis dependence](https://cedclinic.com/ptsd-cannabis-dependence-veterans-social-support/) or comorbid psychiatric conditions requiring close monitoring.  |   |  Further Reading CED Clinic Blog[Cannabis-Infused Beverages as Alcohol Alternatives: New York at Five Years](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-beverage-substitution-alcohol-new-york-five-years/) Cannabis Policy Wire[Policy Watch: 20 Regulatory Updates — March 10, 2026](https://cedclinic.com/dea-scheduling-synthetic-opioids-regulatory-updates-2026/) Research Digest[Daily Digest 2026-03-07](https://cedclinic.com/adolescent-cannabis-psychiatric-outcomes-2026-digest/) [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. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [Cannabinoid Clinical Trials: Mobile Mental Health RCT](https://cedclinic.com/mobile-mental-health-intervention-rct/) Explore a randomized controlled trial of a mobile mental health app targeting substance use and anxiety in university students. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/mobile-mental-health-intervention-rct/) [Endocannabinoid System Research: Cannabis in Mental Health Care](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-cannabis-mental-health-research/) Review research on the role of the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) in mental health care and cannabis-based interventions. [Explore Research](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-cannabis-mental-health-research/) [Endocannabinoid System Clinical Research: Cannabis RCT Evidence](https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-insights/) Detailed evidence from randomized controlled trials on cannabis effects and [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/). [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-insights/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Cannabis%20in%20Student%20Mental%20Health&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdigital-mental-health-intervention-students%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdigital-mental-health-intervention-students%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Cannabinoid%20Clinical%20Trials%3A%20Cannabis%20in%20Student%20Mental%20Health%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fdigital-mental-health-intervention-students%2F) [Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan) [Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).