How much endocannabinoid science is there and how influential is the research field?

Posted on By Stefan Broselid

Title-based Bibliometric Analysis (PubMed and Google Scholar)

Physiological SystemTitle-based Publications
(PubMed)		Total Citations* (Google Scholar)h-index*
(Google Scholar)
Endocannabinoid System1,20176,843138
Digestive System95838,12177
Immune System7,985354,807309
Endocrine System37423,84874
Cardiovascular System2,088103,097167
Respiratory System90935,62883
Lymphatic System37323,88576
Nervous System26,875336,911306
*based on 1000 articles from Google Scholar between 2002-2022 (using Publish or Perish free software)

Analysis and Implications

  1. Research Volume: With 1,201 publications in PubMed with ‘Endocannabinoid System’ in their titles, endocannabinoid system (ECS) research shows significant activity, though not as extensive as more established fields like the immune or nervous systems. This reflects its relatively recent discovery and ongoing exploration.
  2. Citation Impact: ECS research demonstrates notable influence, with 76,843 total citations based on Google Scholar data. This surpasses several other physiological systems, suggesting that ECS research is frequently referenced in the scientific community.
  3. Research Quality: The h-index of 138 for ECS research is noteworthy, outperforming several well-established physiological systems. This suggests that ECS studies are producing consistently impactful research.
  4. Comparative Standing: When compared to other physiological systems, ECS research shows strong impact (citations and h-index) despite fewer overall publications. This indicates that while the field is smaller, it produces influential research.

Implications for Healthcare and Medicine

The historical underrepresentation of the ECS in mainstream medical education and practice may have led to:

  1. Potential Therapeutic Gaps: Less focus on the ECS might have delayed the exploration of therapeutic targets for various conditions, including pain management and neurological disorders.
  2. Incomplete Physiological Understanding: As the ECS plays a role in maintaining homeostasis across multiple systems, its underrepresentation may have led to gaps in our understanding of human physiology.
  3. Drug Development Opportunities: Increased focus on the ECS could potentially accelerate the development of new medications targeting this system.
  4. Healthcare Knowledge: A more comprehensive understanding of the ECS could potentially enhance healthcare providers’ ability to address certain symptoms or conditions influenced by this system.

Future Prospects

The growing recognition of the ECS’s importance presents opportunities for medicine and healthcare:

  1. Personalized Medicine: Better understanding of the ECS could contribute to more tailored treatment approaches.
  2. Novel Therapeutics: Ongoing research may lead to the development of new drugs targeting the ECS, potentially offering new treatment options for various conditions.
  3. Integrative Health Approaches: Incorporating ECS knowledge could contribute to more holistic treatment strategies.
  4. Medical Education: As the unjustified stigma of the ECS slowly dissipates, we may see increased integration of ECS studies in medical school curricula.

Conclusion

This bibliometric analysis highlights the growing importance of endocannabinoid science in physiological research. As our understanding of the ECS expands, it may contribute to advancements in healthcare, potentially leading to more comprehensive approaches to health and disease management.

It is extremely important for academic institutions, medical schools, and policymakers to consider the significance of ECS research and its potential implications for medical education and practice.

The ECS plays a significant role in maintaining physiological homeostasis, and its relationship to cannabis is just one aspect of its broader importance in human biology.

Bibliometric analysis