A bibliometric analysis of research on psychedelics for depression treatment
Hao Hua,
Xinghuo Fu,
Wenli Wang,
Sen Wang,
Di Wang,
Zifeng Wu,
Qi Zhang,
Teng He,
Chun Yang
Affiliations
Hao Hua
Department of Anesthesiology, Wuxi 9th People's Hospital Affiliated to Soochow University, Wuxi, 214062, China
Xinghuo Fu
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Anesthesiology, Taizhou Fourth People's Hospital, Taizhou, 225300, China
Wenli Wang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
Sen Wang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
Di Wang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
Zifeng Wu
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
Qi Zhang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
Teng He
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Huaian Hospital of Huaian City, Huaian Cancer Hospital, Huaian, 223200, China; Corresponding author. Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Huaian Hospital of Huaian City, Huaian Cancer Hospital, Huaian, 223200, China.
Chun Yang
Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Corresponding author.
Psychedelics, as a class of potent psychoactive substances, significantly alter sensory perception and mood, thereby profoundly impacting cognition. Increasing evidence indicates that psychedelics can facilitate individual social function and rapidly and sustainably improve symptoms of moderate and severe depression. The growing interest in psychedelics as potential treatments for depression has led to a substantial increase in related publications; however, the overall quantity and quality of these works remain unclear. To address this issue, we conducted a bibliometric analysis of literature on psychedelic drugs for depression published between 2004 and October 2023. Our study meticulously collected 710 publications, allowing for a comprehensive analysis of bibliographic elements such as annual publication trends, authorship, country of origin, institutional affiliations, journals, and keywords. By visualizing trends, emerging frontiers, popular topics, author collaborations, and influential factors in the field of psychedelics for depression, we have enhanced our understanding of advancements in this area. On this basis, we assert that the regulation of psychedelic drugs is necessary, but it should not hinder the scientific research progress.
