The PGspot - Exploring Trauma-Informed, Plant-Based Therapies in Sexual Health

In this episode, we explore the emerging role of trauma-informed, plant-based therapies in sexual health and healing. From psychedelic-assisted therapy to plant medicines, we examine how these approaches are being studied and thoughtfully integrated to support individuals navigating sexual trauma, intimacy challenges, and nervous system dysregulation. Whether you’re a clinician, researcher, or someone curious about holistic approaches to sexual wellbeing, this episode offers a grounded and compassionate look at how innovation and plant-based therapies are intersecting in modern sexual health care.

If you want to learn more about sexual health, sexual dysfunction, or how to improve your sex life, follow me on Instagram at @thepgspot or check out my website at doctorpattyj.com for blogs and resources related to sex positivity and real talk about sexuality.  As as always, stay curious, stay empowered, and stay you.

Transcript

Speaker 0:08

Welcome to the PG spot, where our goal is to take the X out of sex by breaking down the barriers that prevent open communication about sexual health. I'm Dr. Patty Jalomo, a dual certified nurse practitioner, pelvic floor therapist, and certified sexual counselor. I'm here to provide expert insights, debunk myths, and empower you to embrace your sexual wellbeing. Whether you're looking for answers or simply curious, join us as we open up the conversation around sex, intimacy and everything in between. I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge that some content may not be appropriate for all listeners. I'm a huge proponent of honest and accurate information regarding sexuality. But I'm also mindful that this should be age appropriate. Therefore, if you are under 18, this may not be the podcast for you. Additionally, some of the language used in this podcast may be offensive to some listeners. Please take these things into consideration before going forward with your consensual participation in this podcast. The opinions expressed by myself or my guests are just that, and these opinions are neither expected or required to be shared by all listeners. The information that is provided is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and should not be mistaken for individual medical advice if you do find the information that we cover in the PG spot. Helpful. Interesting or informative. Please rate and review the podcast wherever you're listening from. If you think this information is important, I would love for you to share it with your friends or family. This is a great way to get the information out to more people. So thank you for listening and let's get on with the show. Welcome to the PG spot. I'm your host, Dr. Patty Jalomo, and I'm here to provide education and normalize communication around sex, intimacy, and everything in between. Today's episode explores plant-based and psychedelic adjacent therapies, a topic that sits at the intersection of sexual health, trauma, recovery, and access to care. For centuries, plant medicines have been used across cultures for healing, emotional regulation and connection to the body. In more recent years, some of these substances including cannabis, ketamine, and psilocybin, have begun to reenter clinical conversations, particularly in trauma informed and somatic approaches to care for sex therapists and sexual health providers. This is especially relevant. Many patients with a history of sexual trauma, experience pain, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or a sense of disconnection from their bodies that isn't fully addressed by traditional talk therapy alone. As a result, there's growing interest in therapies that support nervous system regulation, embodiment, and emotional processing. Before we go further, I want to be clear this episode is for educational purposes only. It is not medical advice, and I'm not encouraging the use of any substance outside of legal, ethical, and clinically appropriate settings. In this episode, we'll explore how these therapies are being discussed, and in some cases used in sexual health treatment. What the emerging science suggests where access remains limited and why thoughtful trauma-informed care matters. As this field continues to evolve, there's so much to discuss, so let's get into it. When we talk about sexual trauma, it's important to remember that trauma doesn't just live in memory. It lives in the body. For many survivors, sexual trauma can fundamentally alter how the nervous system responds to touch intimacy and arousal, Even when someone feels emotionally safe or deeply wants connection, their body may react with pain, shutdown anxiety, or numbness. These responses are not choices or failures, their protective survival mechanisms. Traditional talk therapy can be incredibly helpful for meaning making and insight, For many people, understanding what happened isn't enough to change how the body reacts in the present. Sexual responses are largely automatic and nervous system driven, which means trauma can continue to show up as pelvic pain, difficulty with arousal or orgasm, or a sense of disconnection during intimacy, even years after the original experience. This is why trauma-informed sex therapy often incorporates body-based approaches focusing on regulation, safety, and interceptive awareness rather than pushing towards performance or goals. Healing in this context isn't about forcing desire or function. It's about helping the body relearn safety, choice and presence. Understanding this mind body connection helps explain why some patients begin to explore therapies that support nervous system flexibility and embodiment, especially when more conditional approaches have failed to meet their needs. Now that we've explored how trauma can impact the body and sexual response, let's look at how certain plant-based and psychedelic adjacent therapies are being discussed in sexual health and trauma-informed care. These therapies are not a first line approach. They're adjuncts, meaning they're used alongside professional support to help people safely, process emotions, regulate the nervous system, and reconnect with their bodies. Research is beginning to show their potential in mental health context, which often overlaps with sexual health outcomes. For example, psilocybin, the active compound in certain mushrooms has been studied for its ability to support emotional processing and reduce anxiety and depression. In a 2025 review by Soylemez and colleagues, the authors found that psilocybin assisted therapy can help patients process traumatic experiences and improve psychological flexibility, which may also make it easier to approach intimacy and sexual connection with less fear or avoidance. Ketamine a disassociative substance approved for treatment resistant depression has also been investigated for its impact on trauma and emotional regulation. Feder and colleagues in 2021 reported that ketamine infusions significantly reduced depressive symptoms and trauma related hyper arousal in adults. Ketamine works on brain pathways that help the brain form new connections and reduce overactive fear responses, creating a mental and emotional window of safety where patients can engage more effectively in therapy, likely more common. Cannabis is another substance that has become an area of interest in both sexual health research and clinical practice. For instance, in a review by Smith Brown and Jones in 2022, cannabis was associated with reduced sexual pain, including conditions like vulvodynia and dyspareunia, as well as improved arousal and greater ease In reaching orgasm for some patients, the author suggested that these effects may be due in part to modulation of the endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in pain perception, as well as reductions in anxiety and increased body awareness. Another study found that patients with sexual dysfunction reported that cannabis helped them feel more relaxed and present during sexual activity, which aligns with clinical observations that reducing anxiety and promoting mindfulness can improve sexual satisfaction and comfort. It is important to emphasize that effects vary between individuals and depend on factors such as strain, dosage, method of administration, and personal health history. Professional guidance is essential and cannabis should only be used legally and safely within clinical or personal context that support trauma-informed care. For some patients when used thoughtfully, cannabis can be a tool to help reconnect with pleasure, reduce pain, and feel more embodied during intimacy. It's important to emphasize that in all of these cases, therapy and clinical guidance are essential. These are not recreational suggestions. The benefits appear when these substances are integrated thoughtfully with attention to safety, legality, and individualized needs. While cannabis, ketamine and psilocybin show promising potential in sexual health and trauma-informed therapy, access remains a major challenge. Legal and regulatory frameworks vary widely depending on where someone lives, which creates significant inequities for patients and clinicians alike. For example, cannabis may be legally available in some states, but still restricted federally, which limits clinical guidance, insurance coverage, and research opportunities. A 2025 review by Soylemez and colleagues highlighted that regulatory barriers including Schedule one classification for many psychedelics, not only slow research, but also restrict clinician training and patient access. Similarly, ketamine and psilocybin therapies face legal and logistical hurdles. Ketamine is approved for treatment resistant depression in clinical settings. Yet access remains limited to specialty clinics. While psilocybin assisted therapy is only legally available in a few jurisdictions under tightly controlled research or pilot programs, these restrictions affect who can receive care, who can conduct research, and the quality and generalizability of available evidence. As a result, patients in areas with restrictive laws may experience delays or inequities in accessing therapies that could support sexual health and trauma recovery. This illustrates a tension between emerging scientific evidence and practical availability, underscoring the need for advocacy, equitable policy, and responsible clinical guidance. As we explore plant-based and psychedelic adjacent therapies, it's important to consider ethical and clinical responsibilities for both providers and patients. These therapies can be powerful tools, but they also carry potential risks, both psychological and physiological, if used without guidance or in unsafe context. Clinicians need to ensure informed consent. This means that patients should fully understand what is known about potential benefits, limitations, and risks, as well as the legal context in their area. Research shows that structured informed consent protocols for psychedelic assisted therapy reduces adverse events and support positive patient outcomes. Screening for contraindications is also essential. For example, individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis may be at a higher risk for negative reactions to psychedelics. While certain cardiovascular or psychiatric conditions can influence ketamine safety. Cultural humility and trauma-informed care are critical. Not every patient will benefit from these therapies And pushing someone toward a therapy they aren't ready for can be re-traumatizing. The goal is support, not pressure. Creating a safe space where patients can explore and integrate experiences at their own pace. Finally, we must recognize that the commercial availability of some therapies has outpaced scientific evidence. Clinics offering ketamine or psychedelic assisted therapy are growing, but practices vary widely. Ethical practice requires clinicians to balance curiosity and innovation with caution, evidence-based guidance, and a deep commitment to patient safety. Understanding how these therapies work in the brain, like ketamine, enhancing neuroplasticity or psychedelics. Promoting emotional openness helps clinicians predict risks and benefits more effectively. As we look ahead, the field of sexual health is beginning to embrace plant-based and psychedelic adjacent therapies in ways that were unimaginable a decade ago. Research is expanding rapidly, exploring how substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and cannabis can support trauma, recovery, sexual function, and overall wellbeing. For example, recent studies suggest that psychedelic assisted therapy can promote lasting improvements in mood, anxiety, and trauma processing, which indirectly may enhance sexual functioning and intimacy. increasing emotional openness, which can support healthier sexual and emotional connections. Similarly, ketamine assisted therapy continues to be studied for treatment resistant depression and trauma related symptoms, By enhancing neuroplasticity and calming overactive fear responses, ketamine may allow patients to approach sexual activity and intimacy with greater emotional safety. Regulatory landscapes are slowly evolving as well. Certain US states and international jurisdictions are creating pathways for medical use of psychedelics and new legislation is beginning to ease restrictions on research. These changes could allow larger, more rigorous clinical trials. Helping clinicians understand what works for whom and under what conditions. At the same time, equity and access remain central concerns. Emerging therapies need to be made available safely and fairly with attention to training, licensing, and affordability. Sex positive trauma informed care must continue to guide integration, ensuring that innovation doesn't outpace ethics or patient safety. The future is promising, but careful, research-driven and patient-centered approaches will be essential to turn potential into real meaningful outcomes for those seeking healing, pleasure, and connection. As we wrap up today's episode, it's clear that plant-based and psychedelic adjacent therapies are opening new possibilities in sexual health and trauma-informed care. While they are not magic cures and are not suitable for everyone, emerging research shows that when used thoughtfully and in clinical or supported settings, these therapies can help patients process trauma, reduce anxiety, and reconnect with pleasure and bodily sensation. Access, safety and ethical practice remains essential. Whether it's cannabis, ketamine, or psilocybin therapy, supported use, informed consent and professional guidance are key to ensuring benefits while minimizing risks. Structured protocols and screening for contraindications have been shown to reduce adverse events and improve patient outcomes in both psychedelic assisted and ketamine therapies. If you're a clinician, Stay informed about emerging research and regulatory changes and approach these therapies with curiosity tempered by caution. If you're a patient, know that healing is a journey and there are safe evidence informed ways to explore new approaches. Ultimately, this work is about reclaiming safety, connection, and choice in sexual experiences. By staying informed and advocating for equitable trauma-informed care, we can help ensure these emerging therapies are used responsibly and effectively. Thank you for listening, and if you have specific topics that you would like to learn more about, send me an email with your suggested interests at email@doctorpattyj.com. you can also check out a variety of educational blogs at doctorpattyj.com. And that's doctor spelled out, D-O-C-T-O-R-P-A-T-T-Y j.com. Or you can get to the same place by going to thepgspot.com. Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and stay you. That's it for today's episode. Thanks for listening, and be sure to rate and review the podcast on whatever platform you're listening from and share it with your friends. That's a great way to help reach new listeners and make this a more sex positive world. Also, I'd love your feedback and questions, so send me a message. It's at email@doctorpattyj.com, and that's doctor spelled out, D-O-C-T-O-R-P-A-T-T-Y j.com. Until next time, stay curious, stay empowered, and stay you.