Reclaiming Pleasure: How Cannabis Can Support Sexual Healing After Trauma

The Lasting Impact of Trauma on Intimacy

For women with a history of sexual trauma, the journey back to sexual wellness can be complex. Even when a partner is trusted and emotionally safe, the body’s nervous system may remain dysregulated, leading to symptoms like:

Physical tension and pain.
Numbness or dissociation.
Difficulty with arousal or achieving orgasm.

Healing involves learning to find safety in the body again—a process that takes both time and patience.

The Science of Cannabis and Sexual Function

Emerging research suggests that cannabis may assist in restoring sexual function. Key findings from recent studies include:

Enhanced Orgasm Function: A 2025 literature review in Sexual Medicine found that pre-sex cannabis use can improve the frequency, intensity, and quality of female orgasms.
Increased Sensitivity: Studies indicate cannabis can heighten touch sensitivity, which may aid in promoting arousal.

Anxiety Reduction: In some individuals, cannabis has been shown to help lower the anxiety that often acts as a barrier to intimacy.

A Need for More Research

Despite these promising findings, female sexuality and medicinal cannabis remain significantly under-researched. Historically, trauma research has focused largely on male combat soldiers, leaving a gap in our understanding of how medical and mental health providers can best support women in their quest for pleasure.

How You Can Help: Participate in Our Study

As a therapist and sexologist, Liat Fruman, LCSW, is dedicated to bridging this research gap and helping survivors navigate the road to recovery. She is currently conducting a study on the impact of cannabis use on sexual function in female sexual trauma survivors and would value your participation.

Study Eligibility Requirements:

Age 18+.
Assigned female at birth (any gender identity).
Used cannabis and have been sexually active within the past 4 weeks.
Have a history of sexual trauma.
Note: Those who are currently pregnant, breastfeeding, or have used substances other than cannabis and alcohol in the last 4 weeks are ineligible.

The survey is completely anonymous and evaluates mental health symptoms, sexual function, and cannabis usage.

Learn More & Take the Survey:

Click here to access the research study

Want help healing?

If you’ve connected with what this study is researching, your healing journey is not far away. Schedule a FREE consult with Liat Fruman, LCSW, a certified sex therapist, to get started today.

Sources

Mulvehill, Suzanne, and Jordan Tishler. “Cannabis for Female Orgasmic Disorder/Difficulty: A Systematic Review.” Sexual Medicine, vol. 13, no. 4, Aug. 2025, doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfaf061, https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfaf061. Accessed 17 Sept. 2025.
Roberts, L., Sorial, E., Budgeon, C. A., Lee, K., Preen, D. B., & Cumming, C. (2025). Medicinal cannabis in the management of anxiety disorders: A systematic review. Psychiatry Research, 350, 116552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2025.116552
Skosnik PD, Hajós M, Cortes-Briones JA, Edwards CR, Pittman BP, Hoffmann WE, Sewell AR, D'Souza DC, Ranganathan M. Cannabinoid receptor-mediated disruption of sensory gating and neural oscillations: A translational study in rats and humans. Neuropharmacology. 2018 Jun;135:412-423. doi: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.03.036. Epub 2018 Mar 28. PMID: 29604295; PMCID: PMC6091633.