Our Research
The Female Orgasm Research Institute leads a structured research initiative examining female orgasmic disorder/difficulty and the therapeutic potential of cannabis within a neurobiological framework. Our work includes theoretical models, observational studies, and a peer-reviewed systematic review, with findings published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine and Sexual Medicine and presented internationally at leading conferences in sexual medicine and cannabis clinical outcomes research. Our scholarship has also been cited in other academic journals, reflecting a growing and cumulative body of inquiry in this emerging field.
Peer Reviewed Publications
2026
Mulvehill, S. (2026). Cannabis and the future of treating female orgasmic disorder/difficulty. Current Sexual Health Reports, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11930-026-00417-z
Key Findings:
This review positions cannabis as a multidimensional therapeutic tool that enhances orgasm-facilitating processes—such as sensory responsiveness, presence, and interoceptive awareness—while reducing inhibitory factors like anxiety and cognitive distraction. It reframes treatment as requiring integrated, state-based approaches rather than single-pathway interventions.
2025
Mulvehill, S., & Tishler, J. (2025). Cannabis for female orgasmic disorder/difficulty: a systematic review. Sexual medicine, 13(4), qfaf061. https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfaf061
Key Findings:
Across multiple studies, cannabis use was consistently associated with improvements in orgasm frequency, ease, satisfaction, and intensity. Findings support cannabis as a promising therapeutic option and reinforce the need for controlled clinical trials.
2024
Mulvehill, S., & Tishler, J. (2024). Assessment of the effect of cannabis use before partnered sex on women with and without orgasm difficulty. Sexual medicine, 12(2), qfae023. https://doi.org/10.1093/sexmed/qfae023
Key Findings:
Cannabis use prior to partnered sexual activity was associated with increased orgasm frequency, reduced difficulty, and improved satisfaction. The study provides empirical support for cannabis as a potential treatment.
2022
Mulvehill, S., & Tishler, J. (2022). Four theories support a hypothesis that cannabis may be a treatment for female orgasmic disorder. The Journal of Sexual Medicine, 19(Suppl. 2), S209. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsxm.2022.03.476
Key Findings:
This conceptual paper proposes mechanisms including anxiety reduction, enhanced sensory processing, and increased attentional absorption, forming the theoretical foundation for subsequent research.