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Building evidence-based knowledge in traditional medicine provides an opportunity for neuroscientists and traditional medical practitioners

Nature Mental Health volume 4, pages 3–5 (2026)Cite this article

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Collaborations between neuroscientists and traditional medical practitioners can strengthen the scientific foundations of traditional medicine and enrich neuroscience with culturally grounded insights. Such partnerships, built on mutual learning, can promote more equitable and context-sensitive mental health research.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by a Dana Foundation Planning Grant. Additional methodological details are available from the corresponding author upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA

    Brianna L. Gonzalez & Turhan Canli

  2. Farmingdale State College, Farmingdale, NY, USA

    Brianna L. Gonzalez

  3. University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana

    Patrick Amoateng

  4. General Secretary, Ghana Federation of Traditional Medicine Practitioners Associations (GHAFTRAM), Accra, Ghana

    Nana Kwadwo Obiri

Authors
  1. Brianna L. Gonzalez
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  2. Patrick Amoateng
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  3. Nana Kwadwo Obiri
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  4. Turhan Canli
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Brianna L. Gonzalez.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Gonzalez, B.L., Amoateng, P., Obiri, N.K. et al. Building evidence-based knowledge in traditional medicine provides an opportunity for neuroscientists and traditional medical practitioners. Nat. Mental Health 4, 3–5 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44220-025-00557-6

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