A bibliometric analysis of phytochemical PTSD research (2007-2022) revealed a paradigm shift from studies on cannabis/marijuana abuse toward psychedelic medicine, with research concentrated in North America.
Read this if you are interested in the evolving landscape of plant-based PTSD treatments.
301 articlesStudies on phytochemical PTSD treatments analyzed, showing a shift toward psychedelic research since 2015
What the researchers found
Analysis of 301 articles showed research surged after 2015, with nearly half from North America. The field is dominated by neuroscience, with Addictive Behaviors and Drug and Alcohol Dependence publishing the most papers. An "ebb and flow" was identified between substance abuse/marijuana research and psychedelic medicine/medicinal cannabis. Most current studies focus on psychedelic interventions. Other phytochemicals (addressing neurosteroid turnover, serotonin, BDNF) represent a small proportion of research.
Why it matters
PTSD affects millions globally and current treatments are inadequate. This bibliometric map shows where the field is heading — primarily toward psychedelics — and identifies gaps where cannabis and other plant-based treatments are under-studied.
The numbers in context
- 301 articles analyzed (2007-2022)
- Surge after 2015
- Nearly half from North America
- Most studies focus on psychedelic interventions
- Other phytochemicals represent small proportion
How the study worked
Bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace for network clustering co-occurrence analysis of Web of Science literature. Supplemented with qualitative narrative review.
Who was studied
Published literature on phytochemical PTSD treatments (2007-2022)
What this study cannot tell us
Bibliometric analysis reflects publication patterns, not clinical outcomes. English-language bias. Web of Science only. Does not evaluate quality of underlying studies.
How to read the evidence
Bibliometric analysis mapping research trends. Useful for identifying field direction but does not evaluate treatment effectiveness.
When this study was published
Published in 2023. Captures the full trajectory of phytochemical PTSD research through 2022.
The bigger picture
The shift from viewing cannabis primarily as a substance of abuse to exploring it as medicine — alongside psychedelics — represents a broader cultural and scientific transformation in how we approach treatment-resistant mental health conditions.
Questions still open
- Will psychedelic treatments for PTSD prove more effective than cannabis-based approaches?
- Are non-psychoactive phytochemicals being overlooked in PTSD research?
- How will FDA scheduling decisions affect the trajectory of this research?
Read the original research
Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace.
Journal of integrative medicine, 21(4), 385-396
Citation
Gao, Biao; Qu, Yi-Cui; Cai, Meng-Yu; Zhang, Yin-Yin; Lu, Hong-Tao; Li, Hong-Xia; Tang, Yu-Xiao; Shen, Hui. (2023). Phytochemical interventions for post-traumatic stress disorder: A cluster co-occurrence network analysis using CiteSpace.. Journal of integrative medicine, 21(4), 385-396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2023.06.006