# Clinical Research on Endocannabinoid System and Cannabis Trials > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-cannabis-clinical-trial-insights/ > **Published:** 2026-03-24T15:17:13-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T11:04:07-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the latest endocannabinoid system cannabis clinical trial data revealing key findings from randomized controlled trials on mental health and substance use. --- #### Clinical Takeaway A randomized controlled trial tested the Minder mobile app, co-designed with university students, as a digital tool to address mental health and [substance use](https://cedclinic.com/stroke-risk-assessment-substance-use/) challenges during the college transition period. The study evaluated real-world effectiveness across a general university population, reflecting the growing role of scalable digital interventions in campus health settings. Clinicians working with young adults should be aware of emerging app-based supports as potential complements to traditional care. ### #6 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. 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 [Endocannabinoid System Clinical Research: Cannabis and Mental Health RCT](https://cedclinic.com/minder-mobile-mental-health-intervention-rct-evidence/) Detailed randomized controlled trial evidence on [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) and mental health outcomes within the [endocannabinoid system](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-fear-extinction/) framework. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/minder-mobile-mental-health-intervention-rct-evidence/) [Endocannabinoid System Research: Cannabis in Mental Health Care](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-cannabis-mental-health-research/) Explore research on how cannabis interacts with the endocannabinoid system in mental health care settings. [Explore Research](https://cedclinic.com/endocannabinoid-system-cannabis-mental-health-research/) [Digital Mental Health Intervention: Cannabis Clinical Research Insights](https://cedclinic.com/digital-mental-health-intervention-cannabis-research-insights/) Insights into digital mental health interventions and their [clinical research](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-based-therapies-smoking-cessation/) involving cannabis and the endocannabinoid system. [Discover Insights](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=Clinical%20Research%20on%20Endocannabinoid%20System%20and%20Cannabis%20Trials&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fendocannabinoid-system-cannabis-clinical-trial-insights%2F) [in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fendocannabinoid-system-cannabis-clinical-trial-insights%2F) [Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Clinical%20Research%20on%20Endocannabinoid%20System%20and%20Cannabis%20Trials%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Fendocannabinoid-system-cannabis-clinical-trial-insights%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), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), 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).