Cannabis compounds CBD and CBG may help reverse fatty liver disease, study finds

The research was led by Prof. Joseph (Yossi) Tam, Dr. Liad Hinden, the PhD student Radka Kočvarová, and Tam's team at the School of Pharmacy at the Faculty of Medicine of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Their study suggests that Cannabidiol (CBD) and Cannabigerol (CBG), which do not cause a high, may improve liver health by altering how liver cells handle energy and remove unwanted material.

Fatty Liver Disease Affects One Third of Adults

Metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most widespread chronic liver condition in the world. It affects roughly one third of adults and is strongly associated with obesity, high blood pressure, and insulin resistance.

Doctors typically recommend lifestyle changes such as improved diet and increased physical activity to manage the disease. However, maintaining these habits long term can be challenging. At the same time, there are very few approved medications available. Because of this, researchers are actively searching for new treatment options.

How CBD and CBG Improve Liver Energy Systems

Using advanced scientific tools, the researchers discovered that CBD and CBG do more than simply reduce fat accumulation. The compounds appear to improve the internal functioning of liver cells through a process called "metabolic remodeling."

One key discovery involved the liver's energy reserves. The compounds increased levels of phosphocreatine, a molecule that acts like an emergency energy supply. This backup energy source helps liver cells maintain normal function when exposed to metabolic stress such as a high fat diet. Scientists note that the liver does not usually rely heavily on this system, making the finding particularly notable.

Restoring the Liver's Cellular Cleanup Process

The study also showed that CBD and CBG reactivate cathepsins. These enzymes operate inside lysosomes, which serve as recycling centers within the cell. Their role is to break down unwanted materials so they can be removed.

When cathepsin activity is restored, liver cells become better equipped to process and eliminate harmful fats and waste. The researchers observed major reductions in damaging lipid molecules including triglycerides and ceramides. Ceramides are especially harmful because they are linked to insulin resistance and inflammation in the liver.

Different Metabolic Benefits From CBD and CBG

Although both compounds produced beneficial effects, the study found that they influence metabolic health in slightly different ways. CBD and CBG both helped stabilize blood sugar levels and improved how the body processes glucose.

However, CBG produced stronger improvements in several metabolic markers. It significantly reduced body fat mass and increased insulin sensitivity more than CBD. The compound also showed a stronger ability to lower total cholesterol and levels of "bad" LDL cholesterol.

"Our findings identify a new mechanism by which CBD and CBG enhance hepatic energy and lysosomal function," says Prof. Joseph Tam. "This dual metabolic remodeling contributes to improved liver lipid handling and highlights these compounds as promising therapeutic agents for MASLD."

A Potential New Plant Based Treatment Path

Although the results are promising, the researchers emphasize that further studies are needed to determine how these findings may translate to human treatments. Additional research will help clarify whether these compounds could eventually be developed into therapies.

Still, the study highlights an emerging direction in metabolic disease research. By targeting how cells store energy and clear waste, plant derived compounds such as CBD and CBG may open new possibilities for treating fatty liver disease and related metabolic disorders.