Four theories support a hypothesis that cannabis may be a treatment for female orgasmic disorder

Abstract

ABSTRACT Introduction Cannabis helps women orgasm who have difficulty orgasming and enhances the frequency and quality of women's orgasm. Studies have not yet shown if cannabis helps women orgasm who have female orgasmic disorder (FOD). Up to 41% of women worldwide suffer from FOD and the percentage of women suffering from FOD has not changed in 50 years. Objective The objective of this literature review is to present theories that support a hypothesis that cannabis may help women who have lifelong, acquired, or situational FOD. There is only one empirically validated treatment for lifelong FOD and no empirically validated treatments for acquired or situational FOD. Method Literature Review Results The dishabituation theory presents that Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), causes a dishabituating effect. Information processing of higher brain structures under the influence of THC reduces the routine represented by habits. Multiple studies have established the habits of cognitive distraction during sexual activity may distract a woman from her sensations and ability to orgasm. The theoretical rationale for the dishabituation theory proposes that THC could dishabituate the habit of being cognitively distracted and may explain why women who had never experienced an orgasm discovered they could orgasm when using cannabis before sex and why women who reported difficulty experiencing orgasm said it was easier to experience orgasm while using cannabis before sex. Neuroplasticity theory is a broad theory to describe how the human brain grows, changes, and rewires. Cannabis and endocannabinoids, the cannabinoids created by the human body, are increasingly recognized for their roles in neural development processes, including brain cell growth and neuroplasticity. The theoretical rationale for the neuroplasticity theory is that this theory may explain why some women learn to orgasm while using cannabis before sex and, once they learned to orgasm, found that they no longer required cannabis. The multi-modal treatment theory proposes that cannabis can treat multiple symptoms and conditions simultaneously. Multi-modal treatment is a broad area of study that involves combining two or more modalities targeting different aspects of a disease. The theoretical rationale for the multi-modal treatment theory is that this theory may explain why women who use cannabis for any reason may decrease their FOD. One researcher found that cannabis use decreased sexual dysfunction by up to 21% and that the reason women used cannabis had little to do with sexual functioning. The amygdala reduction theory proposes that cannabis can reduce the activity in the amygdala, a part of the brain associated with fear responses to threats. Hypervigilance, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are responses of the amygdala and commonly impair sexual response. The theoretical rationale for the amygdala reduction theory is that reduced amygdala activity can positively affect FOD. A reduction in anxiety associated with a sexual encounter could improve experiences and lead to improved orgasm and satisfaction. Conclusion Theories and anecdotal evidence from the existing body of cannabis, sex and women's orgasm research support that cannabis may be a treatment for FOD. Research needs to be conducted to evaluate cannabis as a treatment for FOD. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no. A consultant, employee (part time or full time) or shareholder is among the authors (Dr. Tishler is President and COO of inhaleMD, Inc. he is one of my dissertation advisors).