Exploring the research evolution of Papaver somniferum and Cannabis sativa: A bibliometric comparative analysis

Papaver somniferum and Cannabis sativa are ancient medicinal plants that contain secondary metabolites with multiple pharmacological properties, such as benzylisoquinoline alkaloids in opium poppy and cannabinoids in cannabis. However, their addictive potential and psychotropic effects have led to historical and social controversies surrounding their cultivation and use. Understanding the research evolution in these crops is of particular interest. While previous bibliometric analyses have explored opiate and cannabis research separately, no study has compared these two plant species as sources of these substances. To address this gap, a bibliometric analysis using the Scopus database was conducted to examine scientific documents related to Papaver somniferum and Cannabis sativa. The analysis included metrics such as publication and patent numbers, distribution by country, language, and affiliation, as well as journals and subject areas. Additionally, the main keywords from research publications were analysed and categorized thematically. The results reveal interesting differences in research trends between the two crops, highlighting a higher relevance of cannabis in recent years. This finding triggers further discussion on the underlying factors driving this divergence.