The man who co-invented Viagra is now developing cannabis products so women can have better sex

It’s a man’s world, but if this cannabis-based vaginal gel makes it to the market, not for long.

Men have a wide variety of resources to help them with sexual dysfunction. The sexual needs of women are largely overlooked. Dr. Harin Padma-Nathan, co-inventor of Niagra, is hoping to change this narrative by developing a cannabis-based gel that will help women have better sex.

Dr. Padma-Nathan was the lead principal investigator for Viagra and Cialis, two prominent FDA-approved sexual dysfunction drugs. Now, he has teamed up with Manna Molecular, a cannabis biotech firm, to oversee development of cannabinoid-based sexual health products. The company is known to make cannabis transdermal patches—transdermal patches are medicated adhesive placed on the skin to deliver a specific dose.

Cannabis can’t completely treat sexual dysfunction like Viagra does. So the company plans to market this cannabis-based vaginal gel as a sexual enhancement product as opposed to medicine.

A 2018 study points out that the “treatment of male sexual dysfunction has developed considerably since the release of sildenafil (Viagra) as a treatment for erectile dysfunction in 1998. Unfortunately, despite robust clinical and academic interest in male sexual dysfunction, women with sexual complaints have been largely overlooked. There have been limited treatment options, few Canadian role models who specialize in female sexual medicine, and little academic activity in the area of female sexual function.”

Interestingly, the idea for the product—Nial DeMena, CEO of Manna Molecular, admits—came through the company’s female colleagues. “DeMena became interested in exploring cannabis-based sexual health products for women when the company’s female customers reported that wearing their cannabis patches on their pelvis improved their sexual experiences. That feedback inspired DeMena to approach Padma-Nathan about the possibility of using cannabis to enhance sex for women. Padma-Nathan told him there’s pretty good evidence that it could,” Civilized reports.

“The evidence is that in lower doses, cannabis enhances sexual function, and at extremely high doses, it may have a detrimental effect,” Dr. Padma-Nathan told Civilized.

Cannabis can’t completely treat sexual dysfunction like Viagra does. So the company plans to market this cannabis-based vaginal gel as a sexual enhancement product as opposed to medicine. “This is not a treatment for a severe medical issue. We want to be conservative in what we promise,” Dr. Padma-Nathan told Civilized.

Did you know that cannabis has #neuroprotective capabilities AND the ability to reduce inflammation? This makes it an excellent tool for post-game recovery! #patent6630507 #scrimmage

For use by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of reach of children. pic.twitter.com/mGWjQnofo3

— Manna Molecular (@mannamolecular) April 22, 2018

Now here’s why Canadians should be excited: In Feb. 2019, Aphria signed a worldwide license agreement with Manna Molecular that allows the Canadian pot company to produce and sells patches containing cannabis oils for its established suite of medical and adult-use brands.

Could pot be for women, what viagra is for men? Once approved, is it headed towards the Canadian markets? Only time will tell.